Press Releases
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
January 25, 2019
Torres Announces Ontario-Montclair and Rialto Unified School Districts Receive USDA Summer Sunshine Awards
ONTARIO, CA — Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced that Ontario-Montclair School District (OMSD) and Rialto Unified School District (RUSD) have received the 2018 Western Region Summer Sunshine Awards from the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service. OMSD was recognized for its community partnerships with the City of Ontario and the Hope Through Housing Foundation to provide summer meals for children and their families. In 2018, … Continue Reading
January 24, 2019
Torres Statement on Metro Board of Directors Vote to Approve Gold Line Foothill Extension to Pomona
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) released the following statement in response to the Metro Board of Directors vote to approve the Gold Line Foothill extension from La Verne to Pomona: "Today's vote by the Metro Board of Directors to approve the Gold Line extension is a win for the Inland Empire. Not only will this allow people to go car-free and reduce traffic, it will also put us on a path towards environmental sustainability and improved air quality. In … Continue Reading
January 22, 2019
Torres Named Vice Chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement after being named Vice Chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, a coalition of members of the House of Representatives who are working to preserve, protect, and advance women's constitutionally-protected reproductive rights: "The fight for reproductive rights has been transformative for American women. It has meant that gender would not and could not limit a woman's opportunities in life. … Continue Reading
January 19, 2019
Torres Statement on Trump Speech
ONTARIO, CA - Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement after President Trump's speech: "If President Trump were serious about immigration reform, he would reopen the government and make an honest deal with Democrats. Three more years of uncertainty for Dreamers and those with Temporary Protected Status is a non-starter. "How does President Trump intend to get his 230 miles of wall built this year? It demonstrates a total disregard for the rights of … Continue Reading
January 17, 2019
Torres Appointed to Three Key Subcommittees on House Appropriations Committee
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement after being appointed to serve on the House Appropriations Subcommittees on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD); State Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPs); and Financial Services and General Government:"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve on these subcommittees, where I will be poised to be a champion for the Inland Empire. From … Continue Reading
January 17, 2019
Guatemala Crisis: Torres, McGovern Lead 46 Members of Congress in Urging President Trump to Impose Targeted Sanctions on Corrupt Officials, Suspend Assistance to Central Government
The Trump Administration has turned a blind eye as the Guatemalan government has moved to expel CICIG, a United States- and United Nations-backed anti-corruption organization, from the countryIn the letter, the lawmakers lay out a series of recommendations for the Trump Administration to prevent further destabilization in Central AmericaWASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Jim McGovern (D-MA) have led have a group of forty-five members of Congress in a letter … Continue Reading
January 15, 2019
Torres nombrada al poderoso Comité de Asignaciones de la Cámara de Representantes
WASHINGTON, DC — La representante estadounidense Norma J. Torres (D-CA) emitió la siguiente declaración luego de ser nombrada por la líder Nancy Pelosi y confirmada por sus colegas del Caucus Demócrata para servir en el Comité de Asignaciones de la Cámara de Representantes, que es responsable de apropiar todos los gastos federales, nacionales y en el extranjero:"Será un honor servir en el Comité de Asignaciones, que asigna todos los recursos para el gobierno estadounidense, incluyendo la … Continue Reading
January 15, 2019
Torres Appointed to Powerful House Appropriations Committee
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement after being appointed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and confirmed by her colleagues of the Democratic Caucus to serve on the House Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for appropriating all federal spending, domestic and abroad: "It is an honor to be appointed to the House Appropriations Committee, where I will help ensure that the needs of families in the 35th district are represented and met by … Continue Reading
January 07, 2019
Torres Statement on Guatemalan Government’s Unilateral Termination of CICIG Agreement
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement on the Guatemalan government's unilateral termination of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) agreement:"CICIG's abrupt departure would be a major setback for Guatemala's fight against corruption. Complex cases involving organized crime, drug trafficking, and human smuggling would fall apart. Powerful criminals and the corrupt politicians would get away with serious … Continue Reading
December 21, 2018
Torres Introduces Bill to Increase Transparency and Ensure Safety of Children in CBP and ICE Custody
The bill follows the recent deaths of 7-year-old Jakelin Caal, who died while in U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody, and toddler Mariee Juarez, who died shortly after being released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) introduced the Border Security and Child Safety Act to require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a review of all policies and procedures impacting the safety and … Continue Reading
December 20, 2018
Torres, Lieu Lead 54 Members of Congress in Urging DHS Secretary Nielsen to End Policy of Deterring Asylum Seekers at U.S. Ports of Entry
Today's announcement that asylum seekers would be forced to wait in Mexico for the duration of their U.S. immigration proceedings raises additional concerns about the safety of migrants in Mexican border towns The letter follows the tragic death of seven-year-old Jakelin Caal in Customs and Border Protection custody and reports of two Honduran children who were killed in Tijuana as they waited to present their asylum claims WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-CA) … Continue Reading
December 18, 2018
Torres Reaction to State Department Announcement on Mexico and the Northern Triangle of Central America
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement in response to the U.S. State Department's Strategy for Central America and Southern Mexico: "Today's agreement with Mexico does not make sense. Is President Trump's master plan to get Mexico to build the wall with U.S. taxpayer dollars? "We would see much better results if we focused on ensuring that the successor to the NAFTA agreement has strong and enforceable provisions to prevent labor … Continue Reading
December 14, 2018
Torres Slams Trump Administration Response to Death of 7-Year Old Girl in DHS Custody and Demands Homeland Committee to Hold a Hearing
ONTARIO, CA — Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement in response to the death of Jakelin Amei Rosmery Caal Maquina, a 7-year-old girl who migrated with her father from Guatemala to the U.S. and died of dehydration and shock while in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Torres, who was born in Guatemala, immigrated to the U.S. as a child, and is currently the only member of Congress of Central American descent. "I am appalled by the … Continue Reading
December 13, 2018
Torres presenta legislación sobre sanciones en Guatemala para combatir la corrupción y el lavado de dinero
El proyecto de ley da seguimiento a la legislación de Torres requiriendo que el Departamento de Estado proporcione al Congreso una lista de funcionarios corruptos en el Triángulo del Norte, la cual se convirtió en ley en agosto del año corrienteWASHINGTON, DC — Hoy, la representante estadounidense Norma J. Torres (D-CA) presentó el Guatemala Rule of Law Accountability Act para exigir que el presidente de los Estados Unidos imponga sanciones a las personas que han socavado el Estado de Derecho … Continue Reading