Press Releases
Torres, Escobar Introduce Bill to Safeguard DREAMers’ Private Information from Use for Deportation
There is currently no guarantee in place to prevent the Department of Homeland Security from using DACA applicant data for deportation purposes California's 35th congressional district is home to 6,700 DREAMers; Texas' 16th congressional district is home to nearly 9,000 DREAMers WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX) introduced the Protect DREAMers Confidentiality Act of 2019 to protect DREAMers' private information, such as addresses … Continue Reading
March 31, 2019
Torres Statement on President Trump’s Decision to End Foreign Assistance to Central America
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement after President Donald Trump's decision to end all foreign assistance to Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador: "I support the suspension of assistance, especially security assistance, to individual governments in the Northern Triangle. Congress has placed a very strong set of conditions on our foreign aid to these governments, and we should hold them accountable when those conditions are not … Continue Reading
March 28, 2019
Declaración de Torres sobre el Nuevo Acuerdo de Seguridad entre los Estados Unidos y los Gobiernos del Triángulo Norte
WASHINGTON, DC - Hoy, la representante estadounidense Norma J. Torres (D-CA) emitió la siguiente declaración después del anuncio de Kirstjen Nielsen, la Secretaria del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS), que los Estados Unidos y los gobiernos de Guatemala, Honduras y El Salvador acordaron a una serie de medidas de cooperación de seguridad en la región:"Estoy sumamente preocupada sobre esta propuesta, ya que cualquier intento de aumentar la asistencia de seguridad a Centroamérica sin un … Continue Reading
March 28, 2019
Torres Statement on New Security Agreement Between U.S. and Northern Triangle Countries
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement after Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen's announcement that the United States and the governments of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador had agreed to a series of security cooperation measures in the region: "I am deeply concerned about the administration's misguided agreement, since any attempt to increase security assistance to Central America without a firm … Continue Reading
March 27, 2019
Torres, Haaland Introduce Bill to Enhance Self-Reliance, Fight Poverty in Indian Country
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Deb Haaland (D-NM) introduced the Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act of 2019 to support Indian Country's ability to become more self-reliant and help reduce the persistent poverty and unemployment that plague Indian Country. "Across the country, Native American entrepreneurs are ready to start new businesses, create jobs, and lift up their communities," said Torres. "For too long, lack of access to credit and … Continue Reading
March 19, 2019
Torres Announces Nearly $750,000 Justice Department Grant Awarded to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to Combat Human Trafficking
Grant will fund the Los Angeles County Human Trafficking Task Force Program; since 2015, the task force has made 1,624 arrests in connection to human trafficking activities and rescued 324 victims Torres previously led efforts to secure nearly $70,000 in federal funding to fight human trafficking and prostitution in the Inland Empire WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded a $749,982 grant to the … Continue Reading
March 14, 2019
Torres Statement on Senate Vote to Terminate Trump’s Emergency Declaration
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate, including 12 Republican Senators, voted in support of the resolution of disapproval to terminate President Trump's emergency declaration: "Today's bipartisan Senate vote was an important step to reassert the independence of Congress as a co-equal branch of government. I'm pleased that the Senate has joined the House of Representatives in reminding President Trump that in … Continue Reading
March 11, 2019
Torres Statement on President Trump’s 2020 Budget Request
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement after President Trump submitted his fiscal year 2020 budget request: "President Trump's budget request turns its back on hard-working American families and vulnerable seniors and threatens the nation's ability to balance our budget. After giving millionaires and corporations a tax break, the President's proposal targets people who are already struggling to make ends meet to try and make his … Continue Reading
March 07, 2019
Torres, Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Reclassify 9-1-1 Dispatchers as Protective Service Occupations
OMB currently classifies 9-1-1 dispatchers as clerical workers—the same category as secretaries, office clerks, and taxicab dispatchersThe 911 SAVES Act would update this classification to appropriately reflect the important role of 9-1-1 dispatchers in directing emergency response and providing lifesaving emergency medical instruction WATCH FULL PRESS CONFERENCE HERE WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35), the only former 9-1-1 dispatcher serving in Congress, … Continue Reading
March 07, 2019
Torres, McGovern, Cardin, Leahy Introduce Bicameral Bill to Impose Targeted Sanctions on Guatemalan Officials Who Undermine Justice
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and James P. McGovern (D-MA) and U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced the Guatemala Rule of Law Accountability Act to authorize Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act sanctions against Guatemalan officials who have engaged in corruption, obstructed justice, misused U.S.-provided equipment, disobeyed Guatemalan Constitutional Court rulings, and interfered with the work of the U.S. … Continue Reading
February 28, 2019
Torres Announces Nearly $387,000 HHS Grant Awarded to Western University for Lung Diseases Research
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded a $386,934 Academic Research Enhancement Awards (AREA) grant to Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona. The funding will allow WesternU to further its lung disease research. "For more than four decades, WesternU has trained physicians to provide families throughout Southern California with the expert health care and attention they … Continue Reading
February 14, 2019
Torres Announces $69,000 Department of Housing and Urban Development Grant Award to Uplift Pomona Working Families
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a $69,000 Federal Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program grant to the City of Pomona Housing Authority. The FSS funding will enable HUD-assisted families in Pomona to increase their income and reduce their dependency on welfare assistance and rental subsidies. "Working families in Pomona deserve an equal opportunity to succeed, and that's what … Continue Reading
February 13, 2019
Torres Announces $35 Million Federal Highway Administration Grant Awarded to Help California Recover from Winter Rainstorms
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced that the California Department of Transportation has been awarded a $35 million grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration for the repair or reconstruction of federal highways and roads that suffered damage during the heavy rainstorms in January and February. The funding will benefit 49 California counties, including Los Angeles County. "Last month's severe rainstorms brought … Continue Reading
February 13, 2019
Torres Announces Nearly $393,000 Federal Highway Administration Grant Award to Bolster 35th District Reconstruction Efforts from the 2011 Southern California Wind Storm
The 2011 wind storm brought gale force winds and widespread power outages across Southern California WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced that the California Department of Transportation has been awarded a $392,691 grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration to repair or reconstruct federal highways and roads that suffered damage following the destructive wind storm that struck Southern California in 2011. The … Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Torres, Engel, McGovern, Sires Statement on Proposal by Guatemalan Congress to Grant Amnesty for War Crimes
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-CA), Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), James P. McGovern (D-MA), and Albio Sires (D-NJ) released the following statement in response to the proposal the Guatemalan Congress is expected to vote on this week, which would free military officials and guerilla leaders convicted of grave crimes against humanity including genocide, rape, and forced disappearance: "We are appalled by the Guatemalan Congress' proposal to grant amnesty for war … Continue Reading
February 08, 2019
Torres, Engel Introduce Bill to Block Trump Administration Proposal to Deregulate Firearm Exports
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced the Prevent Crime and Terrorism Act to block the Trump Administration's proposal to transfer firearm export regulation from the U.S. State Department to the U.S. Commerce Department. Experts have noted that the new regulations would weaken congressional oversight of firearms exports, and would allow licenses to be approved with less … Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Torres Invites Ontario International Airport Employee Affected by the Government Shutdown to the State of the Union
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) announced that Joe Rodgers, a Federal Aviation Administration Engineer Technician at Ontario International Airport who was one of the 800,000 federal workers furloughed during the 35-day long government shutdown, has been invited as her guest to the State of the Union address. "For more than a month, federal workers like Joe Rodgers saw their lives turned upside down by an unnecessary and harmful shutdown. The last thing … Continue Reading
February 04, 2019
Torres Introduces Bill to Support Sustainable Community Planning
Legislation would encourage local and federal government collaboration to create more sustainable environmental, transportation, infrastructure, and housing programs WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) has introduced the Sustainable Communities Act of 2019 to support community development through U.S. Department of Transportation grants to provide more transportation options, develop more affordable housing, and improve the livability of communities. As more people are … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
Torres, Engel Statement on Trump Administration Firearms Export Rule Change
Rule change threatens an increase in the flow of firearms to terrorist groups and drug cartels, undermining U.S. national securityWASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement ahead of the Trump administration's rule change to loosen the regulation of firearms exports. The rule change would shift control of the export licensing process for firearms away from the … Continue Reading
January 25, 2019
Torres Statement on Continuing Resolution to Reopen the Government
ONTARIO, CA — Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement in response to the three-week continuing resolution to reopen the government: "After 35 days of a crisis of the President's own making, nothing has changed except hurting the pocketbook of millions of federal workers, contractors, and local businesses. While I am relieved that our federal workers, law enforcement officers, and servicemembers will finally receive their backpay and get back on the … Continue Reading