Press Releases
Statement from Congresswoman Torres on Judge Kindred Judicial Misconduct and Abuse
Washington, DC — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) - released a statement following the release of information from the Ninth Circuit on investigating U.S. District Judge Joshua M. Kindred of the District of Alaska on judicial and sexual misconduct abuse towards clerks. “No American should suffer sexual misconduct, abuse, or harassment while on the job, yet it continues even in the halls of our judicial system - that must end now,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “Federal judges make … Continue Reading
July 09, 2024
Bipartisan Women, Torres and Hinson Secures Provisions to Limit Judicial Sexual Harassment and Workplace Misconduct
Washington D.C. -- During the House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee’s fiscal year 2025 funding bill markup, Congresswomen Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Ashley Hinson (IA-02) - the only women members of the subcommittee - tout the inclusion of report language in the House-passed bill. The Congresswomen’s report language sets expectations about how the Judiciary must reform and work to improve its systems to prevent sexual harassment and workplace abuse. This … Continue Reading
June 26, 2024
Statement from Congresswoman Torres on the Sentencing of Juan Orlando Hernández
Washington, DC — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, member of the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, and Chair of the Congressional Central American Caucus - issued the following statement on the sentencing of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández: “The people of Honduras deserve leadership that upholds democracy and the rule of law. Juan Orlando Hernández’s leadership was driven by a desire to serve one man: … Continue Reading
June 25, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Urges Secretary Buttigieg to Improve Accessible Infrastructure and Transportation in the Inland Empire
Washington, D.C. — Today Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, highlighting her FY25 Community Funding Projects. These projects prioritize investments in access to safer, affordable, and more reliable transportation options like better bus service and bike infrastructure improvements. The Secretary is responsible for ensuring the … Continue Reading
June 18, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Statement on Biden Administrations New Action to Keep Families Together
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced a new executive action to keep mixed-status families together. The new process would allow non-citizen children and spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for permanent residence and will ease the work visa process for Dreamers and U.S. college graduates. “Today’s announcement from the Biden Administration is a step toward fixing our broken immigration … Continue Reading
June 15, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Commemorates 12th Anniversary of DACA
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement on the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program: "I arrived in the U.S. at the age of five, and I deeply empathize with the countless young immigrants who have shared a similar journey. These children deserve access to the same opportunities I had to become citizens and to build lives here in the United States. For 12 years, DACA has made our nation stronger, … Continue Reading
June 13, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Reintroduces Asbestos Exposure in Housing Reduction Act
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a member of the House Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, reintroduced the Asbestos Exposure in Housing Reduction Act of 2024 to safeguard residents from asbestos exposure by mandating the disclosure of asbestos hazards in the sale and lease of residential housing. The bill would enforce civil and criminal penalties for non-disclosure. “Buyers and renters throughout the country … Continue Reading
June 11, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Introduces International Artificial Intelligence Research Partnership Act of 2024
Washington, D.C. — Today Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations introduced the International Artificial Intelligence Research Partnership Act of 2024, legislation that expands the long tradition of building partnerships between U.S. cities and cities around the world, funding Artificial Research Partnerships to ensure the next generation of AI tools enhance security, protect democracy, increase economic … Continue Reading
June 07, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Condemns Republican Funding Bill Which Places Veterans, Servicemembers, and Families in Jeopardy
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the Appropriations Committee - condemned Republican actions included in the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2025. The bill provides $378,643 billion in funding for veterans affairs, but decreases discretionary funding for critical initiatives by $6.4 billion. This decrease will prevent the military from investing in programs that protect servicemembers’ basic … Continue Reading
June 07, 2024
Representatives Torres and Wagner Statement on Successful Implementation of Central American Women and Children Protection Act in Honduras
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) - released the following statement after the Department of State announced the first successful compact signed between the United States and Honduras to protect women and children in Honduras and address gender-based violence as part of the Central American Women and Children Act. Torres and Wagner introduced and secured funding for the Central American Women and Children Act legislation that … Continue Reading
June 06, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Urges Indoor Heat Standard to Protect Warehouse Workers During Summer Months & Extreme Heat
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - sent a letter to Acting Secretary Su of the U.S. Department of Labor and Secretary Knox of the California Labor and Workforce Development requesting information on how the departments intend to ensure warehouse workers remain safe and are provided with critical training, information, and equipment needed during the upcoming summer months and times of extreme heat. Congresswoman Torres's district is a critical logistics hub for … Continue Reading
June 04, 2024
Statement from Congresswoman Torres on Biden Administration's Executive Order Announcement Limiting Asylum
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Executive Board released the following statement regarding the Biden Administration’s Executive Order announcing implementation measures to regulate the number of individuals permitted to seek asylum at the border. “Congress has been advocating for the allocation of funding to hire more critical personnel at the border. … Continue Reading
May 22, 2024
As Immigrants Face High Stakes, Lawmakers & Advocates Demand the Dignifying Solution of Universal Representation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep Norma Torres (D-CA) alongside Representatives Grace Meng, Robert Garcia, Judy Chu and Dan Goldman were joined by directly-impacted advocates and Fairness to Freedom campaign leaders on Capitol Hill today to urge Congress to support the Fairness to Freedom Act - a bill to establish a federal right to legal representation for all immigrants facing deportation. High stakes for immigrant communities and their families continue to rise this critical election year - making … Continue Reading
May 22, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Introduces Servicemember Equal Recognition & Transition Support (SERTS) Act
Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Norma J Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, introduced the Servicemember Equal Recognition & Transition Support (SERTS) Act, legislation that would build on efforts to assist veterans in transferring trade and skill certifications acquired during military service, such as airplane mechanics, into civilian jobs. "Many veterans across the Inland Empire and the nation were trained in specialized trades during … Continue Reading
May 21, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Introduces Thriving Communities Act
Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Norma J Torres (CA-35) - a member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies announced the Thriving Communities Act, which creates a grant program to provide technical assistance and capacity building support to help underserved communities advance transformative, and equitable infrastructure projects. These projects would increase mobility, reduce pollution, and expand affordable transportation … Continue Reading
May 20, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Fights to Increase Funding for Military Criminal Investigative Organizations in the FY25 Budget
Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Norma J Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee- and Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) - the ranking member of the Personnel Subcommittee of the Committee on House Armed Services, called on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to provide robust funding for the Military Criminal Investigative Organizations (MCIOs), which are essential for solving murders, sexual assaults, rape, and other major crimes against American … Continue Reading
May 16, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Applauds the Passage of the Bipartisan Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) a senior member of the House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee and the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus FAA Reauthorization Task Force, announced the passage of the bipartisan, Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, in the House of Representatives. The Congresswoman voted to pass the legislation to support the aviation workforce and programs at … Continue Reading
May 15, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Leads Letter in Support of Funding for Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) led 27 of her House colleagues in a letter to the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations subcommittee requesting $45 million in funding for the Department of Education’s Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program. This program is based on the BASIC Act, introduced by Congresswoman Torres. Basic Needs Grants provide funding to colleges and universities to help students access essential … Continue Reading
May 07, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Commemorates Wildfire Preparedness Week
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) re-introduced a resolution to recognize May 5th to May 11th as Wildfire Preparedness Week, to inform the public on fire safety and preparedness. Every year, the wildfire season in California increases in length and frequency of fires, and 85% of all wildland fires in the U.S. which could be avoided are caused by humans. Congresswoman Torres’ district also hosts evacuation centers for families and their pets. “Wildfires devastate parts … Continue Reading
April 30, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Fights for Increased Civil Rights for Survivors of Sexual Assault
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) introduced today two bills that would improve legal protections for survivors of sexual violence. The two bills seek to expand legal protections for victims of nonconsensual condom removal, commonly known as “stealthing.” The legislation is introduced at the conclusion of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The first bill, the “Consent is Key Act” would encourage states to voluntarily pass laws authorizing civil damages for victims of … Continue Reading