Press Releases
Rep. Torres Votes to Restore Tax Fairness for Working Families
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today voted to pass the Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act (H.R. 5377), which protects low- to middle-income households from a variety of harmful provisions in a 2017 tax cut for corporations and wealthy individuals.Specifically, the legislation: Prevents double taxation on working individuals and families by removing the $10,000 cap placed on state and local tax (SALT) deductions in 2017 (the average SALT deduction prior … Continue Reading
December 18, 2019
New American Caucus Votes to Impeach
WASHINGTON, DC - New American Caucus Co-Chairs, Reps. Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), were joined with caucus members in releasing the following statements after the caucus members unanimously voted to impeach President Donald J. Trump.The President, who withheld much-needed military aid from Ukraine to coerce them into investigating Trump's perceived political rival, was charged with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.As first-generation Americans, the lawmakers … Continue Reading
December 18, 2019
Congresswoman Torres Votes to Impeach President Trump
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today voted to impeach President Donald J. Trump on both articles of impeachment against him - abuse of power, and obstruction of Congress.Before the vote, Rep. Torres took to the House floor to make the case for impeachment.Rep. Torres on the House floor:"American values and our Constitution are worth fighting for."Congresswoman Torres released the following statement:"I voted for impeachment today because President Trump's actions left … Continue Reading
December 18, 2019
Rep. Torres Rejects Border Wall Funding
WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Congress voted this week on legislation that bound national security funding with money for a wall on our southern border and immigrant detention centers.The National Security Appropriations Minibus (H.R. 1158) includes four appropriations bills: Defense, Commerce-Justice-Science, Financial Services and General Government, and Homeland Security.Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement after voting against the measure:"My … Continue Reading
December 17, 2019
Rep. Torres Votes to Fund Domestic Priorities Through FY 2020
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, today voted to support a legislative package of eight appropriations bills to fund domestic functions of the federal government through fiscal year 2020.The Domestic Priorities and International Assistance Minibus (H.R. 1865) includes funding for: Labor-Health and Human Services-Education, Agriculture, Energy and Water Development, Interior-Environment, Legislative Branch, Military … Continue Reading
December 12, 2019
Rep. Torres Votes to Lower Prescription Drug Prices
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) voted today to pass the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), which gives Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies. Those lower prices will be available to consumers of private insurance plans as well. The bill also creates a new $2,000 out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries."Health is a necessity in life, not just a privilege," Rep. Torres … Continue Reading
December 12, 2019
Torres: I’m Voting to Impeach
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement today announcing that she will vote to impeach President Donald J. Trump.The President, who withheld much-needed military aid and an official White House meeting from Ukraine to coerce them into investigating Trump's perceived political rival, is charged with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress."I will vote to impeach President Trump," Rep. Torres said. "He conditioned official acts - millions in … Continue Reading
December 11, 2019
Torres Passes Four Provisions in National Defense Authorization Act
WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today passed four provisions out of the House of Representatives that will likely become law as part of the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA).Four provisions is a notable policy footprint, particularly for someone who does not sit on the committee of jurisdiction. Cybersecurity: An amendment requiring the Department of Defense, in consultation with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, … Continue Reading
December 10, 2019
Rep. Torres: Articles of Impeachment Hold Criminal Administration Accountable
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement today as House Democrats released two articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump. The President, who withheld much-needed military aid from Ukraine to coerce them into investigating Trump's perceived political rival, is charged with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. "The articles of impeachment announced today hold President Trump accountable for the criminal activity and … Continue Reading
December 09, 2019
Rep. Torres: 16-Year-Old’s Death in U.S. Custody is Murder by Neglect
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), the only Central American immigrant serving in Congress, expressed outrage today at a report by investigative reporting nonprofit, ProPublica, which shows blatant neglect of a sick 16-year-old boy who died in Border Patrol custody.As a Member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Torres sent letters today to Homeland Security Chairman, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, as well as Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee Chair, Rep. … Continue Reading
December 06, 2019
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