Press Releases
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
November 19, 2021
Congresswoman Norma J. Torres Releases Statement on Passage of the Build Back Better Act
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement on the passage of the Build Back Better Act by the House: "Hardworking Americans built this country - now we need to build an economy that gives them a fair shot," said Rep. Torres. "Build Back Better finally delivers crucial support to working families with historic investments in universal free preschool, childcare, quality health care, affordable housing, and higher education. This legislation will cut costs … Continue Reading
November 17, 2021
Congresswoman Norma J. Torres Introduces Wildfire Grid Resiliency Act
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) introduced the Wildfire Grid Resiliency Act, which authorizes $10 million annually for the next four years to the Department of Energy to carry out a program to help develop new safety technologies for responding to electric grid emergencies that occur as the result of wildfires. "Increasingly large and dangerous wildfire spread poses a significant threat to Californians, specifically the people in my district," said Rep. Torres. "2020 … Continue Reading
November 12, 2021
Congresswoman Norma J. Torres introduces two bills in honor of Veterans Day
WASHINGTON - In observance of Veterans Day, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) has introduced the Veterans Administration Backlog Accountability Act and reintroduced the GI Bill Distance Learning Improvement Act. These bills will help ensure our nation's heroes can take full advantage of benefits they earned during their service and sacrifice to our nation. "Veterans give so much to our country in selfless service and it is our responsibility to continue caring for them after that service … Continue Reading
November 05, 2021
Congresswoman Norma J. Torres Releases Statement on Passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement on the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill): "A long-term, sustainable recovery from the coronavirus pandemic requires a strong economic foundation," said Congresswoman Torres. "The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act establishes exactly that by prioritizing American workers and making historic investments in U.S. industry. These funds will provide … Continue Reading
October 28, 2021
Congresswoman Norma J. Torres Leads Bipartisan Letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Opposing New Air Traffic Routes Over 35th Congressional District
WASHINGTON D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) was joined by Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42), Congressman Pete Aguilar (CA-31), Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (CA-38), and Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-39) in sending a bipartisan letter to the Federal Aviation Administration opposing a proposal to reroute a portion of Los Angeles International Airport's (LAX) air traffic over communities in the 35th Congressional district and surrounding areas. "I'm deeply concerned by this proposal to … Continue Reading
October 22, 2021
Congresswomen Escobar and Torres Lead Letter Urging Treasury and State Departments to Impose Targeted Sanctions Against Individuals Responsible for Human Rights Abuses of Environmental Defenders
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswomen Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Norma J. Torres (CA-35) led a group of lawmakers in sending a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen and Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken urging them to use existing authorities to impose targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for human rights abuses of indigenous and local environmental activists - often referred to as "environmental defenders" - and corruption relating to climate-impacting industries.The … Continue Reading
October 21, 2021
Reps. Torres, Meng, Garcia Lead Colleagues in Calling on DHS to Address Barriers to Naturalization
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), along with Representatives Grace Meng (NY-06), Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (IL-04), and 27 of their colleagues, sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Ur Mendoza Jaddou encouraging them to take further action to address existing barriers to naturalization. "Millions of lawful permanent residents who are eligible for citizenship have not … Continue Reading
October 18, 2021
Congresswoman Norma J. Torres Congratulates Rep. David Price on his Retirement
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement congratulating Congressman David Price (NC-04), Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (T-HUD) Appropriations Subcommittee, on his retirement at the conclusion of this term. "My friend and colleague Chairman David Price has dedicated more than three decades serving our country in Congress, and we owe him a great debt of gratitude for all … Continue Reading
October 14, 2021
Rep. Grijalva and Rep. Torres Lead 15 Members Urging Strong U.S. Engagement and Action to Combat Corruption, Counter Democratic Backsliding, and Promote Human Rights in Guatemala
WASHINGTON— Today, Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Norma J. Torres (D-CA) led 15 House Members in a letter urging Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to take additional steps to combat corruption, counter democratic backsliding, and promote human rights in Guatemala. "The deliberate and prescriptive attempts to do away with democratic values and institutions in Guatemala continue to escalate with no end in sight," said Rep. Grijalva. "I am extremely concerned with the recent actions that … Continue Reading
October 14, 2021
Congresswoman Norma J. Torres Expresses Concern About Expanded LA Port Operations
ONTARIO - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement in response to the White House announcement that the Port of Los Angeles will begin operating 24/7. "I understand and appreciate the supply chain challenges presented by this pandemic and the effect they have on our economy," said Congresswoman Norma Torres. "However, without appropriate planning, running our ports 24/7 will not solve the problem - it will just shift the burden down the road onto port and … Continue Reading
October 12, 2021
Congresswoman Norma J. Torres Releases Statement on the Announced Closure of Pomona Emergency Intake Site
POMONA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement in response to the news that the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) will close its Emergency Intake Site (EIS) for unaccompanied minors in Pomona by November 9th, with the last minors expected to leave the facility by the end of the month. "I am pleased to hear the news that all the children in the Pomona EIS have been successfully reunited with their families or otherwise placed in secure living situations," … Continue Reading
October 12, 2021
Congresswoman Norma J. Torres Announces More Than $41 million in American Rescue Plan Funding For Local Restaurants
ONTARIO - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today announced that more than 130 restaurants in the 35th district have received $41,832,291 under the American Rescue Plan's Restaurant Revitalization Fund. These funds, which Congresswoman Torres fought for as part of the American Rescue Plan, have provided crucial assistance to restaurants and related businesses that have had to close or operate at limited capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Small businesses - restaurants in particular … Continue Reading
October 11, 2021
Congresswoman Norma J. Torres Releases Statement on Indigenous Peoples’ Day
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today released the following statement recognizing Indigenous Peoples' Day: "For too long, our country has failed to acknowledge its true history and origins. On this day, we should work to admit and correct that failure by celebrating our tribal nations and Indigenous Peoples, their roots, traditions, and cultural contributions to our country," said Rep. Torres. "It's our responsibility to make our country a safe and fair place for our … Continue Reading
October 08, 2021
Congresswoman Norma J. Torres Releases Statement on Orange County Oil Spill
WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement regarding the oil spill off the coast of Southern California. Additionally, Congresswoman Torres signed onto H.R. 653, the West Coast Ocean Protection Act, led by Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02) in the House and Senator Feinstein in the Senate. "Our environment, coastline, and wildlife are already facing the devastating effects of climate change without reckless corporations causing even more … Continue Reading
October 06, 2021
Torres Announces $11M in Federal Funding to Reconstruct Taxiway at Ontario International Airport
ONTARIO - Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced an award of $11,430,000 in federal funding for Ontario International Airport to rehabilitate existing taxiways. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is allocating the funds, which have been made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), legislation championed by Congresswoman Torres.Ontario International Airport (ONT) covers 1,741 acres and has two parallel, long runways. With the rise in e-commerce, ONT … Continue Reading
September 30, 2021
Rep. Torres, DelBene, Bonamici, Davids & Sens Lujan, Heinrich Introduce Legislation to Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Sharice L. Davids (KS-03), along with U.S. Senators Ben Ray Lujan (N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (N.M.), introduced legislation to replace the term Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day in federal law and regulations and to establish Indigenous Peoples' Day as a public holiday. For many indigenous people, the celebration of Columbus Day is a painful one. Too often, it … Continue Reading
September 24, 2021
Torres, Porter Amendment Ensuring Congressional Oversight of Munitions Exports Passes
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. House Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Katie Porter (CA-45), announced that their Oversight of Munitions Exports Amendment passed the House of Representatives as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The amendment passed by a vote of 215-213.The Trump Administration moved the licensing of munitions exports from the State Department to the Department of Commerce. As part of that change, they removed previously existing … Continue Reading
September 24, 2021
Torres, Fitzpatrick Include 9-1-1 SAVES Act Amendment in NDAA
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35), the only former 9-1-1 dispatcher serving in Congress, and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), a former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent and federal prosecutor, announced that their 9-11 SAVES Act passed the House as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Torres and Fitzpatrick offered the language as an amendment to the NDAA, where it was unanimously agreed to as part of an en bloc … Continue Reading
September 21, 2021
Torres and Meng Introduce Legislation to Expand Access to Fee Waivers for Naturalization
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Grace Meng (NY-06) introduced the Reduce Financial Barriers to Immigration and Citizenship Act. The legislation facilitates and promotes naturalization for more than nine million citizenship-eligible immigrants. "This nation has been built and made prosperous by immigrants," said Rep. Norma J Torres. "For those seeking to become citizens, financial cost should not be a barrier. Unfortunately, the Trump … Continue Reading