Press Releases
Torres Leads 44 Lawmakers in Demanding Answers to Administration’s Unsubstantiated Coronavirus Claims
POMONA, CA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today led 44 of her Congressional colleagues in sending a letter to President Donald J. Trump demanding evidence to corroborate his administration's claims that it is resolving shortages of critical medical supplies needed to combat coronavirus and keep medical personnel safe.The letter comes as medical practitioners across the country urgently call for more protection and equipment, creating websites for the public to donate supplies and … Continue Reading
March 25, 2020
Rep. Torres Announces First Round of COVID Relief Funding for California’s 35th District
POMONA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today announced that the first round of funding provided through the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for medical facilities in California's 35th Congressional District.Medical facilities in Pomona and Ontario are among the 1,381 facilities nationwide benefitting from the $100 million Health and Human Services grant to expand screening and testing, purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and provide safety … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Rep. Torres Withholds Support for Sheraton Fairplex Plan
POMONA, CA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today reacted to a Los Angeles County plan to use 244 rooms at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel to quarantine coronavirus patients."I recognize the importance for our community to have a plan for housing coronavirus patients, but I have yet to actually see the plan announced last week," Rep. Torres said. "A state of emergency does not mean we should disregard the laws that hold elected officials accountable - the Brown Act still applies, and the … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Rep. Torres Continues All Public Services as Physical Office Closes in Light of Coronavirus
ONTARIO, CA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced today that all public services for Inland Empire residents continue uninterrupted as her physical office in Ontario closes to protect the public health."I am working morning and night to meet every need of my constituents; my staff is working around the clock and every day of the week to serve the Inland Empire; but my physical office location will remain closed as long as coronavirus continues to spread," Rep. Torres said. "This … Continue Reading
March 19, 2020
Torres: Next Supplemental Must Help Independent Contractors & Gig Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) sent a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Stenny Hoyer urging them to include provisions in the next coronavirus supplemental to address the immediate needs of independent contractors and gig workers.The letter reads, in part:As with any worker, these independent contractors and gig workers are in need of immediate assistance if they have to stay home because they contracted the coronavirus, are caring for … Continue Reading
March 16, 2020
Torres: As USCIS Ends Public Charge Rule for Coronavirus Cases, Every American is Safer
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) responded today as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will not enforce its public charge rule in cases involving coronavirus testing and treatment.The policy change comes just days after Rep. Torres led 42 of her Congressional colleagues in urging the administration to drop the public charge rule in light of coronavirus.It also comes just two weeks after she personally delivered a letter to the … Continue Reading
March 15, 2020
Preocupaciones de Torres y protesta publica causa estado de California que no siga adelante con planes de traer pacientes infectados con coronavirus a edificio desmoronado en Pomona
Pomona, CA—Hoy la Congresista Norma J. Torres (CA-35) comento sobre la decisión del Estado de California de no proceder con planes de traer pacientes infectados con coronavirus a un edificio desmoronado en Pomona. "Ayer el consejo municipal en mi pueblo natal de Pomona fue informado sobre planes del estado que hubiera traído personas sin hogar infectadas con coronavirus a una armería desmoronada en el centro de Pomona," dijo la Representante Torres. "El edificio no solo esta inapto para … Continue Reading
March 14, 2020
Torres’ Concerns, Public Outcry Cause State to Scrap Plan to Bring Coronavirus Patients to Dilapidated Building in Pomona
En EspañolPOMONA, CA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today commented on the State of California's decision not to proceed with plans to bring homeless people infected with coronavirus to a dilapidated building in Pomona."Yesterday, the city council in my hometown of Pomona was briefed on a plan for the State to bring homeless people infected with coronavirus to a dilapidated armory in downtown Pomona," Rep. Torres said. "Not only is the facility unfit to help stricken patients mend, … Continue Reading
March 14, 2020
Rep. Torres Votes to Move Coronavirus Relief Forward
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today helped pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, legislation that provides emergency relief to alleviate the impact working Americans face from coronavirus' impact on our economy.Among other things, the legislation provides for is free coronavirus testing for everyone - including the uninsured; establishes two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave; strengthens food assistance that … Continue Reading
March 13, 2020
Rep. Torres Outraged At State Plans to Dump Coronavirus Patients in Dilapidated Building in Pomona
POMONA, CA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) expressed shock and outrage today at reports that the State of California plans to transport homeless people infected with coronavirus from L.A. County to an armory in the heart of Pomona and drop them there.The facility, a former homeless shelter that was decommissioned because of its dilapidated condition, has a leaking roof, non-functioning bathroom facilities, lacks air conditioning and heat, and has a significant asbestos problem.The … Continue Reading
March 11, 2020
Torres Leads 42 Lawmakers in Demanding End to Public Charge Policy
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) was joined by 42 of her Congressional colleagues in sending a letter to Vice President Pence, the designated lead for the federal government's coronavirus response, urging the Administration to reconsider its "public charge" rule in light of the coronavirus outbreak.The "public charge" rule allows immigration officers to assess whether immigrants seeking lawful permanent residency are a "public charge" based on whether they have used … Continue Reading
March 09, 2020
Rep. Torres Urges Better Coordination to Avoid Exporting Needed Medical Supplies
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) implored Export-Import Bank Chair, Kimberly Reed, to avoid supporting exports of critically needed medical supplies like hand sanitizer and face masks to China as coronavirus spreads across the United States. In a tense exchange during an oversight hearing in the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, Torres inquired about a message sent by the U.S. Commerce Department highlighting ways … Continue Reading
March 04, 2020
Torres Launches Coronavirus Resource, Approves Emergency Funding
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today launched an online coronavirus resource page for Inland Empire Residents to stay informed and safe. The site launched as Congress passed $8.3 billion in emergency funding to address the ongoing health crisis. Rep. Torres confronted the Administration on January 28th about its lack of funding and planning for coronavirus when it announced a repatriation flight from Wuhan, China destined for Ontario International Airport. … Continue Reading
March 02, 2020
Rep. Torres: Public Charge Policy Will Accelerate Coronavirus
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today sent a letter to Vice President Mike Pence, the designated lead for the federal government's coronavirus response, urging the Administration to reconsider its "public charge" rule in light of the coronavirus outbreak.The "public charge" rule allows immigration officers to assess whether immigrants seeking lawful permanent residency are a "public charge" based on whether they have used government benefits, like government health … Continue Reading
February 27, 2020
Rep. Torres Passes Military Education Bill Out of House Unanimously
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today passed the G.I. & Veteran Education Empowerment Act - or GIVE Act - (H.R. 4852) out of the House of Representatives by a vote of 412 to 0.Torres' bill expands the G.I. Comparison Tool - an online resource intended to provide service members with the information they need to find a school that's right for them. The GIVE Act adds the option for veterans to search for Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges, … Continue Reading
February 20, 2020
Rep. Torres Announces Military Academy Nominations
ONTARIO, CA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today hosted a reception at her district office in Ontario announcing 14 military academy nominations she is recommending from across the Inland Empire.Each year, Rep. Torres nominates promising high school seniors from California's 35th Congressional District for the honor of studying at esteemed military academies across the United States, providing an equivalent scholarship of $500,000 for each student. This year is Rep. Torres' largest … Continue Reading
February 13, 2020
Rep. Torres Votes to Usher in Equal Rights Amendment
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement today after voting for House Joint Resolution 79 (H. J. Res. 79), legislation that would remove the deadline set for States to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The bill would ensure recent ratifications by Nevada, Illinois, and Virginia are given full effect, and women across the United States would have equal rights under the law enshrined in the Constitution."Equal rights should not be subject to … Continue Reading
February 13, 2020
Rep. Torres Welcomes 9-1-1 Dispatchers to Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today joined 9-1-1 dispatchers from across the country at the National Emergency Number Association's (NENA) annual advocacy day in Washington, DC.Rep. Torres, who worked as a 9-1-1 dispatcher for 17.5 years, is the only former dispatcher in Congress and the lead sponsor of the 9-1-1 SAVES Act. The legislation would change the federal classification of 9-1-1 dispatchers from "Office and Administrative Support" to "Protective Service … Continue Reading
February 11, 2020
Rep. Torres Announces Nearly $56.5 Million in New Grants for Inland Empire
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), today announced $56.48 million in new Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Grant, and Emergency Services Grant (ESG) funds being directed across the Inland Empire and Los Angeles. Rep. Torres released the following statement:"I'm thrilled to announce nearly $56.5 million in new grant funds coming into the Inland Empire … Continue Reading
February 10, 2020
Rep. Torres: Trump Budget is a Self-Inflicted Wound
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement today in response to President Donald Trump's FY 2021 Budget Request, which slashes deeply at domestic programs to help working and low-income Americans, in some cases, eliminating them outright."This budget makes President Trump's priorities crystal clear for the American people - it invests $2 billion in his pointless border wall, and cuts to the bone in areas like education, medical research, … Continue Reading