Press Releases
Torres Secures $61.5 Million for Anti-Corruption Efforts, Other Key Central America Provisions in Government Funding Bill
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced the inclusion of $61.5 million for anti-corruption and rule of law efforts in Central America, along with several other critical provisions, in the omnibus government funding bill that today passed the House. As a Member of the Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Torres included these provisions to ensure that U.S. - Central America policy focuses on protecting human rights and upholding democratic institutions and rule of law in … Continue Reading
March 10, 2022
Congresswoman Torres Includes $14.3 million for Inland Empire Community Projects in Government Funding Bill
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced the Inland Empire will receive $14,346,500 in federal funding for local projects in the government funding bill that today passed the House. As a Member of the Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Torres included these directed funds to ensure that the 35th Congressional District can immediately benefit from federal resources. These funds cover all 10 of Congresswomen Torres' priorities for local projects. "I'm extremely pleased … Continue Reading
March 08, 2022
Torres Leads Congressional Letter to President Lasso of Ecuador Urging Respect for National Assembly, Abortion Access for Rape Survivors
WASHINGTON - Today Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) led 19 House colleagues in a letter to President Guillermo Lasso of Ecuador urging his support of the women and girls of Ecuador, requesting he sign into law a National Assembly bill that enables abortion access for rape survivors in Ecuador. Since 2019, around 4,000 girls under 14 have given birth in Ecuador, all in cases of rape. President Lasso originally said that despite personal opposition to abortion, he would not veto the bill. … Continue Reading
March 03, 2022
Torres Amendments Included in Honoring our PACT Act
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) applauded the inclusion of her two amendments as part of the bipartisan Honoring our PACT Act, legislation which recognizes military toxic exposure, and provides comprehensive care for toxic-exposed veterans. The two amendments introduced by Congresswoman Torres will make resources for toxic-exposed veterans available in the 10 most-spoken languages in the United States, including Spanish, and will require the Veterans Affairs … Continue Reading
March 02, 2022
Congresswoman Norma J. Torres Responds to President Biden’s State of the Union
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement in response to President Biden's first State of the Union Address:"In his first State of the Union Address, President Biden highlighted the incredible progress his administration has made restoring American leadership on the world stage, and making real, tangible progress for working families here at home. That progress is more important now than ever as we stand with the Ukrainian people defending their … Continue Reading
February 25, 2022
Congresswoman Norma Torres Releases Statement on Russian Invasion of Ukraine
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine: "Vladimir Putin's unprompted invasion of Ukraine is a clear threat to democracy and national security worldwide that will result in senseless suffering and death. I strongly condemn Russia's actions, and reject the false pretenses under which Putin is trying to justify this attack. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I have worked with my colleagues in Congress … Continue Reading
February 16, 2022
Congresswoman Torres Applauds U.S. Request to Extradite Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today released the following statement in response to the news that the United States has requested the extradition of former President of Honduras Juan Orlando Hernandez: "I applaud the United States' decision to quickly request the extradition of former President Juan Orlando Hernandez, and I am relieved the Honduran government is taking the steps to work with us to bring him to justice. Hernandez has been directly linked to major drug … Continue Reading
February 04, 2022
Torres, Menendez Applaud the Inclusion of National Supply Chain Database in America COMPETES Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (D-CA-35) and U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), today applauded the inclusion of their bipartisan, bicameral legislation creating a National Manufacturing Extension Partnership Supply Chain Database as an amendment to the America COMPETES Act, passed today by the House of Representatives. The language was offered as an amendment by Rep. Torres and Rep. Chuck Fleishmann (R-TN-03). Last June, the Senate passed the U.S. Innovation and Competition … Continue Reading
February 01, 2022
Torres, Markey, Castro, and McGovern Request State Department Protections for Central America Civil Society Organizations
WASHINGTON - Representative Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Senator Edward J. Markey (Massachusetts), Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20), and Representative Jim McGovern (MA-02) this week sent a letter to the U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary Brian Nichols and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Assistant Administrator Peter Natiello expressing concern over closing civic spaces in Central America and requesting that the Administration prioritize advocacy on behalf … Continue Reading
January 27, 2022
Congresswoman Norma J. Torres Calls for U.S. Department of Justice to Indict and Extradite Juan Orlando Hernandez of Honduras
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) this week sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland calling for the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) to immediately indict and request the extradition of President Juan Orlando Hernandez of Honduras upon the completion of his term on January 27. "President Hernandez has been a central figure in undermining the rule of law in his own country and in protecting and assisting drug traffickers to move their materials through Honduras … Continue Reading
January 14, 2022
Reps. Torres, DeLauro, Price, Aguilar, Sherrill Ask Administration For Additional Protections for Warehouse Workers
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) and four House colleagues - Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), David Price (NC-04), Pete Aguilar (CA-31), and Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) - sent a letter to Secretary Marty Walsh of the Department of Labor and Secretary Pete Buttigieg of the Department of Transportation requesting additional protections for warehouse workers shouldering the burden of the national supply chain disruptions."Most goods moved through the [L.A. and Long Beach] ports are … Continue Reading
January 06, 2022
Congresswoman Norma J. Torres Releases Statement on Anniversary of January 6 Attack on Capitol
WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today released the following statement recognizing the one-year anniversary of the violent assault of the U.S. Capitol during the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. One year ago, violent terrorists attacked our Capitol, the seat of our Democracy, while we tried to certify the results of a free and fair election. We didn't let them stop us. Democracy and freedom prevailed - thanks to our brave Capitol Police Officers who … Continue Reading
December 28, 2021
Congresswoman Norma J. Torres Releases Statement on News of Bukele Administration Shutting Down Corruption Investigations
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma Torres released the following statement on the reporting that El Salvador President Nayib Bukele shut down anti-corruption investigations into his government's partnering with gangs and criminals: "This reporting confirms what we already knew: The Bukele Administration is making secret pacts with violent gangs to rig crime statistics and public perception, while shutting down investigations into its corrupt and dangerous dealings. This further demonstrates that … Continue Reading
December 21, 2021
Congresswoman Norma J. Torres announces $36 million for Inland Empire Airports
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) announced that Ontario International Airport (ONT) received federal grants totaling more than $36 million and that Chino Airport (CNO) received an additional $350,000 in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), legislation championed by Congresswoman Torres. "As the Inland Empire recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, travel and e-commerce remains crucial to keeping our … Continue Reading
December 17, 2021
Torres Includes Key Central America Rule of Law Provisions in National Defense Authorization Act
WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) applauded the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (NDAA), which includes key oversight provisions she championed to ensure U.S. military aid to Central America is transparent, aligned with our strategic objectives, and focused on helping the people of those countries, not corrupt leaders."The U.S. has a critical role to play in strengthening democracy and rule of law in the Northern Triangle, and this has … Continue Reading
December 09, 2021
Justice Department Awards $900,000 for Bachelor’s Degree program at California Institution for Women
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today announced the Department of Justice will award $900,000 to Cal State LA for its Degrees of Hope program, which provides an opportunity for individuals incarcerated at the California Institution For Women in Chino to earn a bachelor's degree in person. "We know how crucial education is to inmate rehabilitation and success," said Congresswoman Torres. "We have seen this program to be immensely effective at men's facilities, and it is past … Continue Reading
December 02, 2021
Representatives Torres, Cole Introduce Indigenous Peoples Exchange and Economic Cooperation Act
WASHINGTON - On the final day of Native American Heritage Month, Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Tom Cole (OK-04) introduced the Indigenous Peoples Exchange and Economic Cooperation Act to expand trade and investment opportunities for Native American Tribes and Indigenous Peoples in the Western Hemisphere. "Our nations belonged to Native and Indigenous Peoples long before us. But today, these communities face countless challenges to economic prosperity and independence," said … Continue Reading
December 02, 2021
Torres, Menendez, Blackburn, Fleischmann Introduce Legislation to Create a National Database on American Manufacturing Supply Chains
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-CA-35) and Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03), alongside U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), introduced the bipartisan, bicameral National Manufacturing Extension Partnership SupplyChainDatabaseAct. This legislation would establish a national database with information about the interconnectivity of manufacturers in the United States supply chain. The database would help prevent future supply chain disruptions by … Continue Reading
November 23, 2021
Torres and Newhouse Write to Justice Department Requesting Update on Savanna’s Act Implementation
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) and Congressman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting an update on the implementation of Savanna's Act, legislation passed last year which addresses the disproportionately high number of missing or murdered Native American women by requiring the Department of Justice to implement additional law enforcement protocols for investigating such cases. "All too often, cases involving indigenous women go … Continue Reading
November 19, 2021
Congresswoman Torres Releases Statement on Verdict in Kyle Rittenhouse Case
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement in response to the news that Kyle Rittenhouse has been acquitted of all charges: "My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. This verdict clearly indicates our criminal justice system is full of people like this judge, whose priority is not to carry out justice under the law, but according to his own personal beliefs," said Rep. Torres. "Our country is already facing a crisis of gun violence … Continue Reading