Press Releases
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
February 05, 2020
Rep. Torres: Senate Trial May Be a Sham, but Voters Will Render the Verdict
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement today as Senate Republicans voted to acquit President Trump after blocking witness testimony and evidence at his impeachment trial."Senate Republicans had a choice - defend the rule of law, or help Trump destroy it," Rep. Torres said. "They chose to reject Congressional oversight, renege on their oath to uphold the Constitution, and ensure Donald Trump can continue abusing his powers as president. Every … Continue Reading
February 04, 2020
Rep. Torres: We Need a Uniter – Trump isn’t one
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement responding to President Trump's State of the Union address:"The American people need someone to unite the country - President Trump simply isn't that person," Rep. Torres said. "If he took to the podium tonight to share his vision for growing our economy and improving life for residents of the Inland Empire, I would be all ears. Instead, Donald Trump - the only president in history to be impeached in his … Continue Reading
January 30, 2020
Rep. Torres Requests Investigations into Coronavirus Flight
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today requested investigations into the federal planning, coordination and communication for a chartered flight carrying approximately 200 Americans from Wuhan, China - the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak - to California. The Department of State and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) were both involved in coordinating the repatriation flight, which was initially planned to arrive at Ontario International Airport (ONT) … Continue Reading
January 29, 2020
Torres Responds to Wuhan Flight Diversion Away from ONT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) responded today to news that a flight originating in coronavirus-inflicted Wuhan, China was diverted from its original destination of Ontario International Airport (ONT) to March Air Reserve Base in Riverside.Torres, who led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in sending a letter yesterday to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar demanding more information about the potential arrival at ONT, … Continue Reading
January 28, 2020
Torres Leads Local Lawmakers in Demanding Answers About Flight from Wuhan, China Arriving at ONT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (D-CA) today led a bipartisan group of lawmakers who represent communities across the Inland Empire in sending a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar demanding answers about a flight reportedly arriving at Ontario International Airport (ONT) with 230 passengers from Wuhan, China on board.The letter, which is also signed by Representatives Ken Calvert (R-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Gilbert … Continue Reading
January 27, 2020
Rep. Torres: Trump Move to Slacken Firearm Sale Regs helps Terrorists at America’s Expense
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement today after the Trump Administration finalized a rule to loosen firearm export regulations, making it easier for gun manufacturers to sell weapons abroad.The rule change transfers oversight of commercial firearm exports from the U.S. Department of State to the Department of Commerce, a move Rep. Torres attempted to prevent with legislation in 2019.That bill, the Prevent Crime and Terrorism Act, which … Continue Reading
January 24, 2020
Sole Central American in Congress: End of MACCIH is a Blow to Rule of Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (D-CA), Co-Chair of the Congressional Central America Caucus, and the only Central American immigrant serving in Congress, released a statement today responding to news that Honduran President, Juan Orlando Hernández, allowed the mandate for the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH) to expire.MACCIH was an anti-corruption initiative backed by the Organization of American States. Its original four-year … Continue Reading
January 21, 2020
Rep. Torres Congratulates Congressional App Challenge Winners
POMONA, CA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today visited Lorbeer Middle School to congratulate students who won the Congressional App Challenge for California's 35th Congressional District.Alesandro Chuta, Arthur Lo, Benny Aquino and Nathan Paz - Pomona residents and students in Patrick Trejo's 7th-grade computer class - developed Job Zone, an app allowing users to input employment criteria and then receive information about local entry-level jobs."The app Alesandro, Arthur, Benny and … Continue Reading
January 15, 2020
Torres on Impeachment: The House Upheld Its Oath – Will the Senate?
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today voted to transmit Articles of Impeachment against President Donald Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress to the U.S. Senate to begin his impeachment trial. The Congresswoman also approved Representatives Adam Schiff (CA-28), Jerry Nadler (NY-10), Zoe Lofgren (CA-16), Hakeem Jefferies (NY-8), Val Demmings (FL-10), Jason Crowe (CO-6) and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) to serve as managers of the impeachment process moving … Continue Reading
January 15, 2020
Torres Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation for Advanced Manufacturing Jobs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (D-CA) was joined today by Congressman Phil Roe (R-TN), as well as Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) to introduce legislation promoting advanced manufacturing across the country.The Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in America Act authorizes the Secretary of Labor to initiate pilot projects between advanced manufacturers and local community colleges, state colleges, and workforce investment boards.The legislation, which was … Continue Reading