Press Releases
Congresswoman Torres Condemns Republicans for Cutting $400 Million from Congressional Watchdog to Stop Investigations into the Trump Administration’s Illegal Actions
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres condemned the Fiscal Year 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill during a full committee markup and led an amendment to prevent Republicans from cutting $400 million from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent watchdog that roots out waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government. Every dollar invested in the GAO results in $123 in savings, making GAO Congress’ most effective watchdog for protecting taxpayer … Continue Reading
June 26, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Introduces The Taxpayer Protection Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) unveiled The Taxpayer Protection Act, legislation that addresses politically motivated funding cuts, as well as the persistent imbalance between donor states’ federal tax contributions and the federal funding they receive. For months now, California has been subject to threats of across the board federal funding cuts because of the political whims of the Trump Administration. This is particularly offensive given California’s role … Continue Reading
June 25, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Leads Members in Requesting GAO Investigation into Potential Violations of Federal Law by ICE
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, joined by Congressman Jimmy Gomez, Congressman Lou Correa and Congresswoman Luz Rivas, sent a formal request to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro calling for a Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation into potential violations of the Antideficiency Act by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The request follows an alarming incident on June 7, 2025, in which ICE … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Leads Amendments to protect Americans’ Privacy, Ensure Safe Baby Formula, and Address the Threat of Bird Flu
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Congresswoman Norma Torres led three amendments during the Appropriations Committee Markup of the FY2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Bill, offering critical amendments to safeguard tens of millions of Americans’ personal information from DOGE and protect the public servants who work to ensure the safety and supply of infant formula and address the ongoing threat of bird flu from the indiscriminate and lawless firings implemented by … Continue Reading
June 23, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Calls for Federal and State Labor Agencies to Protect Inland Empire Warehouse Workers from Dangerous Indoor Heat
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres sent a letter to Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer of the U.S. Department of Labor and Secretary Stewart Knox of the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency, urging immediate and comprehensive measures to safeguard warehouse workers in the Inland Empire from dangerous heat conditions as summer temperatures soar. The Inland Empire serves as a critical logistics hub—handling nearly 40 percent of America’s imported goods—supporting … Continue Reading
June 12, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Amendment to Restore Rape Kits for Civilian Employees Overseas Passes Defense Committee Markup
Washington, D.C. - Today Congresswoman Norma Torres announced that her crucial amendment ensuring access to rape kits for civilian Department of Defense (DOD) employees stationed overseas has passed the Fiscal Year 26 Defense Appropriations Committee markup. This bipartisan, commonsense amendment restores medical support rescinded by a controversial March 2025 DOD policy change that stopped providing rape kits to many civilian personnel serving alongside U.S. military forces abroad. “Today, … Continue Reading
June 12, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Demands Accountability from ICE Following Unlawful Denial of Access and Use of Chemical Agents During Congressional Visit
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres sent a formal letter to Director Todd Lyons of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raising serious concerns about the conduct of ICE personnel during a peaceful Congressional delegation oversight visit to the Roybal Federal Building in Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. The delegation, which included Members of Congress, legal counsel, staff, media, and immigrant rights advocates, was denied access to the facility despite legal … Continue Reading
June 10, 2025
Torres Slams HUD Budget for Abandoning Disaster Survivors and Slashing Housing Aid for Families, Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. — At today’s House Appropriations THUD Subcommittee hearing, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) pressed HUD Secretary Turner over the Administration’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, which slashes the agency’s funding by more than 50%—gutting disaster recovery, housing assistance, and HUD’s workforce amid a worsening national housing crisis. “California sends $83 billion more to the federal government than we get back—yet it’s our veterans, working families, and seniors … Continue Reading
June 10, 2025
Torres Introduces Amendments to Protect Veterans from Deportation, Block Political Retaliation Against California
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) introduced two amendments during the full committee markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to safeguard immigrant veterans and defend California against politically motivated funding threats. “Veterans who risked their lives for this country shouldn’t be deported without due process and access to legal counsel,” said Congresswoman Torres. “They wore the … Continue Reading
June 04, 2025
Torres Highlights Federal Aviation Administration Safety and Staffing Crisis During FY26 Budget Hearing
Videos of hearing can be found here. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), whose district includes Ontario International Airport (ONT), pressed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau during the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) FY26 budget oversight hearing. Torres raised urgent concerns about ongoing aviation safety lapses, chronic staffing shortages, and recent personnel … Continue Reading
June 02, 2025
Congresswoman Torres & Congressman LaMalfa Lead Bipartisan Letter Supporting Native Seed Bank Funding
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), a member of the Congressional Native American Caucus, and Congressman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) led a bipartisan letter urging expanded funding for the Native Seed Bank in the Interior Appropriations Bill. The letter calls on the U.S. Department of the Interior to establish a new pilot program under the National Seed Strategy, which plays a critical role in preserving and distributing native seeds for ecological restoration—particularly … Continue Reading
May 28, 2025
Rep. Norma Torres joins Rep. Nanette Barragán in Urging Trump Administration to Protect Head Start Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Norma Torres (CA-35) joined Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) in sending a letter to President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., urging them to safeguard federal funding for the Head Start program. The letter comes in response to alarming reports that the Trump Administration considered eliminating Head Start funding during recent federal budget discussions. “From Los Angeles County to the Central Valley to … Continue Reading
May 23, 2025
Rep. Norma Torres Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Veterans Transition into Civilian Workforce
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres introduced the Veterans Skilled Trades Transition Act, legislation that will lower barriers for veterans as they transition from military service to civilian employment. The bill directs the Department of Defense, in coordination with the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Labor, to submit a comprehensive report to Congress on the effectiveness of military-acquired professional credentials in securing state-recognized civilian … Continue Reading
May 23, 2025
Torres, Valadao, Obernolte, Hirono, Barrasso Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution Recognizing National Wildfire Preparedness Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Norma Torres (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), Jay Orbernolte (R-CA) and U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution designating May as “National Wildfire Preparedness Month” to encourage increased awareness and preparedness as wildfires across the country increase in scale, complexity, and severity. The introduction of this resolution comes as recovery efforts continue following the … Continue Reading
May 22, 2025
Rep. Norma Torres Reintroduces Bill to Hold VA Accountable for Disability Claims Backlog
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) reintroduced the Veterans Administration Backlog Accountability Act, legislation that requires the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to deliver a comprehensive report to Congress on the persistent backlog of VA disability compensation claims. The bill tasks the Inspector General with examining claims pending before the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and the Board of Veterans' Appeals, and … Continue Reading
May 22, 2025
Congresswoman Norma Torres Votes Against Republican Budget Reconciliation Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres voted against the Republican Budget Reconciliation bill, which harms millions of Americans. The bill includes devastating provisions that would cut healthcare coverage for nearly 14 million people, reduce SNAP benefits by $300 billion, and leave 42 million Americans facing cuts to their benefits. Congresswoman Torres has been at the forefront of efforts to protect vital programs and services for working families, children, seniors, and … Continue Reading
May 21, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Proposes Key Amendments to Republican Budget Reconciliation to Protect Working Families and Strengthen Public Services
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres introduced targeted amendments to the Republican Budget Reconciliation aimed at protecting working families' access to healthcare, food assistance, fairness in tax policy, and protecting essential public services. These amendments address critical areas, including healthcare, SNAP, transportation, and infrastructure, ensuring that policies serve the best interests of American workers and communities. “Republican budget proposals threaten essential … Continue Reading
May 21, 2025
Rep. Torres and Rep. Calvert Bill Establishing an Eastvale Zip Code Advances House Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) and Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) praised the advancement of H.R. 672 by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The bill requires the U.S. Postal Service to designate a single, unique ZIP Code for the city of Eastvale, in addition to other communities across the country. Reps. Torres and Calvert both represent portions of the city of Eastvale in the House of Representatives. “For too long, Eastvale has faced … Continue Reading
May 19, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Leads 100 Colleagues in Supporting $400 Million in Funding for Immigrant Legal Representation
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), joined by 100 of her colleagues, led a letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Chair urging $400 million in funding for legal representation, to ensure the right to due process enshrined in the Constitution. The lawmakers’ letter calls attention to the lack of guaranteed legal counsel in immigration proceedings, noting that more than 40 percent of individuals—and a … Continue Reading
May 12, 2025
Congresswoman Norma Torres Condemns and Demands Investigation into ICE's Attack on Members of Congress
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres (D-CA) is calling for an immediate and full investigation into the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, who recently engaged in a violent and unconscionable attack on members of Congress while they were conducting oversight over the executive branch at the ICE Detention Center in Newark, New Jersey. "This is an attack on our democracy and an abuse of power that cannot and will not be tolerated. Being an appropriator … Continue Reading