Press Releases
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
August 12, 2019
Declaración de Torres sobre la elección presidencial guatemalteca
ONTARIO, CA - Hoy, la representante estadounidense Norma J. Torres (D-CA) la primera miembro del Congreso de origen guatemalteco, emitió la siguiente declaración con respecto a la elección presidencial guatemalteca:"Felicito a Alejandro Giammattei por su elección como presidente de Guatemala. El presidente electo Giammattei tendrá una oportunidad importante de reenfocar el nuevo gobierno para abordar las necesidades críticas del pueblo guatemalteco, que han sido ignoradas por demasiado tiempo. … Continue Reading
August 12, 2019
Torres Statement on Guatemalan Presidential Election
ONTARIO, CA - Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA), the first Guatemalan-born Member of Congress, issued the following statement regarding the Guatemalan presidential election: "I congratulate Alejandro Giammattei on his election as President of Guatemala. President-Elect Giammattei will have an important opportunity to refocus the new government to address the critical needs of the Guatemalan people, which have been ignored for too long. Creating jobs for young people, … Continue Reading
August 08, 2019
Declaración de Torres sobre la visita de la delegación del Congreso al Triángulo Norte y Texas
WASHINGTON, DC - Hoy, la representante estadounidense Norma J. Torres (D-CA) se une con la Presidenta de la Cámara de Representantes Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) en una delegación del Congreso a Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras y McAllen, Texas para sostener discursos con representantes del gobierno, el poder judicial, la sociedad civil, grupos comunitarios y religiosos, el sector privado, y organizaciones de derechos humanos."Estamos aquí para demostrarle a la gente del Triángulo Norte que los Estados … Continue Reading
August 08, 2019
Torres Statement on Congressional Delegation Visit to the Northern Triangle and Texas
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) is joining U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on a congressional delegation to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and McAllen, Texas to hold high-level discussions with representatives from the government, the judiciary, civil society, community and faith-based groups, the private sector, and human rights organizations. "We're here to demonstrate to the people of the Northern Triangle that the United States remains … Continue Reading
August 06, 2019
Torres, Rutherford Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing National Night Out
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and John Rutherford (FL-04) introduced H.Res. 535, a bipartisan resolution to recognize Tuesday, August 6, 2019 as National Night Out. Every year on the first Tuesday of August, communities across the country join their local law enforcement agencies and come together to promote public safety, neighborhood camaraderie, and community-police partnerships."In light of the horrific tragedies in Gilroy, El Paso, and Dayton, now … Continue Reading
July 31, 2019
Torres Leads Group of 15 Members of Congress in Urging Acting DHS Secretary McAleenan to Immediately Rescind “Safe Third Country” Agreement with Guatemala
Guatemala is one of the most violent and impoverished countries in the world—not a safe place for vulnerable asylum seekers to seek refuge WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) led a group of 15 Members of Congress in a letter to Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan voicing strong objections to the recent signing of the "safe third country" agreement with the government of Guatemala. The federal lawmakers cite the country's lack … Continue Reading
July 26, 2019
Torres Statement on Guatemala’s Asylum Agreement with the Trump Administration
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement in response to Guatemala signing an asylum agreement with the Trump Administration: "While there are many questions about what this agreement contains, the most basic question is: if Guatemala is so safe, why do its people flee to our southern border to escape the corruption, violence, and poverty in their homes? The idea that Guatemala would be a safe country for refugees from Cuba, Africa, or … Continue Reading
July 25, 2019
Torres le ofrece un mensaje de esperanza al pueblo guatemalteco en el pleno de la Cámara de Representantes
WASHINGTON, DC - Hoy, en el pleno de la Cámara de Representantes, la representante estadunidense Norma J. Torres (D-CA) le envió un mensaje de apoyo al pueblo de Guatemala en su lucha por la justicia y la democracia y en contra a la corrupción antes la segunda ronda de elecciones presidenciales."La larga lucha del pueblo guatemalteco ha llevado a un país más seguro y más justo. Los problemas del país están lejos de resolverse, pero se han logrado avances. Hoy, Guatemala se encuentra en una … Continue Reading
July 25, 2019
Torres Takes to the House Floor to Offer Guatemala a Message of Hope
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to speak out in support of the people of Guatemala's fight for justice and democracy and against corruption ahead of the upcoming second round of presidential elections. "The long struggle of the Guatemalan people has led to a country that is safer and more just. The country's problems are far from resolved, but progress has been made. Today, Guatemala is at a crossroads. … Continue Reading
July 25, 2019
New American Members of Congress Demand Answers on Trump Administration’s Proposed Changes to Citizenship Test
Last week, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it is revising the naturalization test for the first time in ten yearsAs first-generation immigrants, the members of the Congressional New Americans Caucus took the test themselves to become U.S. citizensWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-CA), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-IL), Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL), members of the … Continue Reading