Press Releases
Rep. Torres on VRA Vote: Good, but Not Good Enough
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement today as the U.S. House of Representatives passed The Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019 (H.R. 4) by a party-line vote of 228 to 187.Originally passed in 1965, and overwhelmingly reauthorized by bipartisan votes four times (most recently in 2006), the Voting Rights Act sought to end racial discrimination at the ballot box and ensure that every American could participate in our democracy."The health of … Continue Reading
December 03, 2019
Rep. Torres: Trump-Ukraine Intel Report Proves Impeachable Abuses of Power
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement today responding to the release by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of The Trump-Ukraine Impeachment Inquiry Report. "The Intelligence Committee report released today proves beyond the shadow of a doubt what we already know: that President Trump withheld much-needed military aid from Ukraine to pressure them into investigating his political opponent, and that he tried to cover it up … Continue Reading
December 02, 2019
Rep. Torres Calls for Common Sense Gun Control Policies
POMONA, CA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) published an op-ed with the Inland Empire Daily Bulletin commemorating the four-year anniversary of the San Bernardino shooting, which claimed 14 lives, including two of her own constituents, on December 2nd, 2015.Rep. Torres, who spent 17 years working as a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the Los Angeles Police Department, recounts her own experiences as she calls for Congressional action to curb gun violence:"I've been on the other end of the line from … Continue Reading
November 15, 2019
Rep. Torres to Focus on Inland Empire’s Housing Priorities in New Role as Co-Chair of NewDem Housing Task Force
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement today announcing her appointment as Co-Chair to the New Democrat Coalition Housing Task Force."I bought my first home at the age of twenty-three - not many can say the same today," Rep. Torres said. "As a longtime resident of the Inland Empire, I know that the biggest barrier preventing our community from reaching its full economic potential is lack of affordable housing units."According to Christopher … Continue Reading
November 06, 2019
Rep. Norma Torres Announces Legislation Protecting Students’ Basic Rights
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (D-CA) was joined today by local students, as well as advocates and experts focused on combatting student hunger and homelessness, to announce new legislation to ensure college students - particularly Pell Grant recipients and attendees of community colleges and minority-serving institutions - are able to meet their basic needs while pursuing their education. Congresswoman Torres announces the BASIC Act with students, advocates and … Continue Reading
October 18, 2019
Torres Bill Renaming Montclair Post Office in Honor of Mayor Paul Eaton Passes House
*Link: Video of Remarks*WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Norma Torres (CA-35) announced that the United States House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 3329, a bill designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5186 Benito Street in Montclair, California, as the "Paul Eaton Post Office Building". The bill honoring the late Mayor now moves to the U.S. Senate for further consideration."You can't walk anywhere in Montclair without encountering someone … Continue Reading
October 17, 2019
Rep. Torres Hosts Telephone Town Hall on Impeachment
ONTARIO, CA—On Thursday, October 17th at 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. PST, U.S. Representative Norma Torres (CA-35) will host a live telephone town hall on the current United States House of Representatives impeachment inquiry of President Trump. Representative Torres will be joined by University of California Los Angeles School of Law Professor, Jon Michaels."Our country is currently undergoing troubling times. We have a President whose actions have threatened our national security, violated our … Continue Reading
October 11, 2019
Torres Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing “Indigenous Peoples’ Day”
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) introduced a bipartisan resolution expressing support for the designation of the second Monday in October as "Indigenous Peoples' Day" to celebrate and honor indigenous peoples and their shared history and culture. The resolution is co-sponsored by Representatives Deb Haaland (D-NM), Don Young (R-AK), Sharice Davids (D-KS), and Betty McCollum (D-MN)."For many indigenous people, the celebration of Columbus Day is a … Continue Reading
October 11, 2019
Reps. Torres, Engel, McGovern, and Sires Joint Statement on CICIES
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Norma Torres (CA-35), founder and Co-Chair of the Central America Caucus, Representative Eliot L. Engel (NY-16), Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Representative Jim McGovern (MA-8), Chairman of the Committee on Rules, and Representative Albio Sires (NJ-8), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, issued the following statement:"We welcome Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele's commitment to establishing an independent … Continue Reading
September 27, 2019
Torres, Aguilar to ICE: “Reconsider Any Proposal to Lease Space for an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Office in Our Districts”
Recent reports have emerged that U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement seeks to lease space in the Inland Empire WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Pete Aguilar (CA-31) sent a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Matthew Albence in opposition to the agency's proposal to lease space in the Inland Empire. In the letter, the Southern California lawmakers reject the Trump administration's brutal treatment of detained … Continue Reading
September 25, 2019
Torres Statement on Efforts to Retaliate against Former CICIG Personnel
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) issued the following statement after the announcement by the Guatemalan Congress of a new commission to investigate "illegal and arbitrary acts" by former staff members of the International Commission against Impunity (CICIG): "I strongly oppose any retaliation against former CICIG personnel, including efforts to delegitimize their work, slander their reputations, or pursue fabricated legal cases against them. "During its twelve years … Continue Reading
September 24, 2019
Torres Statement on Impeachment Inquiry of President Trump
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement on the opening of an impeachment inquiry of President Donald J. Trump: "For hundreds of years of this great country's history, public servants like myself have taken an oath of office to protect and uphold the Constitution of the United States. That includes President Trump. Speaker Pelosi's announcement honors that oath by protecting our democracy from the dark forces of corruption. "I have … Continue Reading
September 12, 2019
Torres, Engel, Schneider Reintroduce Bill to Update Reporting Requirements for Semi-Automatic Rifles
The mass shootings in El Paso, TX, Dayton, OH, and Gilroy, CA involved AR-15, AK-47, and WASR-10 assault style files According to a recent report, 32 out of 115 mass shootings between 1982 and 2019 involved semi-automatic rifles WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-CA), Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), and Bradley S. Schneider (D-IL) reintroduced the Multiple Firearm Sales Reporting Modernization Act to require federal firearms licensees to report the sale of two or more … Continue Reading
September 12, 2019
Torres Hosts 2020 Census Town Hall at Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, Local 909
The 35th Congressional District is one of the hardest to count in the countryThe town hall brought together representatives from the U.S. Census Bureau, local elected officials, community-based organizations, educational institutions, the business community, and members of the public ONTARIO, CA — U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) recently convened a town hall at the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, Local 909 to discuss the importance of the upcoming 2020 Census with … Continue Reading
September 10, 2019
Torres Concludes Annual “Made in the 35th” Manufacturing Tour
During the tour, Torres visited eight homegrown businesses in Fontana and Ontario to highlight the strength of local manufacturersONTARIO, CA — U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) recently concluded her annual "Made in the 35th" tour of manufacturing businesses in the 35th congressional district. The tour included meetings and site visits with manufacturers in a wide range of industries, including metal fabrication, aerospace, cargo, and defense in Fontana and Ontario."The 35th … Continue Reading
September 09, 2019
Torres Announces Nearly $280,000 NSF Grant Awarded to Cal Poly Pomona to Recruit and Retain Low-Income Students in STEM
National Science Foundation award will help increase the number of low-income students pursuing graduate and doctorate degrees in STEM fields ONTARIO, CA - Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a $279,000 grant to Cal Poly Pomona to increase the retention of low-income students in graduate-level mathematics programs. The NSF award will help recruit and support students pursuing Master's degrees, and encourage them … Continue Reading
September 05, 2019
Torres Visits Phoenix Motorcars in Ontario
Torres Visits Phoenix Motorcars in Ontario ONTARIO, CA - Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) visited Phoenix Motorcars in Ontario as the last stop on her annual "Made in the 35th" manufacturing tour. Each all-electric zero-emission vehicle produced by Phoenix Motorcars reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60 tons of carbon monoxide per year as compared to a comparable commercial vehicle. "Fighting climate change begins here in the Inland Empire. For more than 15 … Continue Reading
September 04, 2019
Torres Announces Nearly $705,000 HHS Grant Awarded to Western University for Heart and Vascular Research
ONTARIO, CA - Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded a $704,979 grant to Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona. The funding will allow WesternU to further its heart and vascular disease research. "Heart and vascular disease is the leading cause of death for Americans—and the risk factors are even greater for communities of color in the Inland Empire," said Torres. "This investment will … Continue Reading
September 03, 2019
Torres, Members of Congress to United Nations Secretary General: “Ensure the Physical Safety of CICIG Employees in Guatemala”
The UN and U.S.-backed International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala, or CICIG, shuttered today; employees and partners have received threats to their safety Torres-led letter comes on the heels of a recent congressional delegation to Guatemala, where Members of Congress met with representatives from CICIG, the judiciary, and civil society WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) led a group of 12 Members of Congress in a letter urging United Nations (UN) … Continue Reading
September 03, 2019
Torres Launches Monthly Veteran Identification Card Assistance Program
ONTARIO, CA - U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) recently launched a Veteran Identification Card (VIC) Assistance Program. The VIC allows veterans to access discounts at many restaurants, hotels, stores, and other businesses across the nation without having to carry sensitive documents to prove their veteran status. During the 30-minute appointments, Torres' staff outline the required documents, eligibility requirements, and the application process. "Veterans have made countless … Continue Reading