Press Releases
Torres, Waters Introduce Bill to Help Homeowners to Keep Their Homes
The Keep Your Home Act would strengthen investment in vital homeowner assistance program, the Hardest Hit FundTo date, more than 80,000 homeowners in California alone, and hundreds of thousands in participating states have been assisted by the program WASHINGTON, DC — Reps. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services, introduced the Keep Your Home Act, a bill geared towards helping homeowners in participating states struggling … Continue Reading
May 02, 2018
Torres Announces Winner of 2018 Congressional Art Competition
ONTARIO, CA - Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) unveiled the winner of the 35th District's 2018 Congressional Art Competition at an awards ceremony and exhibition at the Ontario Museum of History and Art. The winning piece, My Bedroom, by Ebony Chavez of Village Academy in the Pomona Unified School District, was selected out of 85 pieces submitted from 85 participants representing 6 high schools throughout the district."I congratulate Ebony on her winning artwork and look forward to seeing … Continue Reading
April 30, 2018
Torres Amendments to Fund Airport Improvements, Reduce Airport Noise Pass on House Floor
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona), member of the powerful Rules Committee which helps determine the passage of amendments, announced that two amendments she offered to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 passed on the House floor. The first amendment would create an Environmental Mitigation Pilot Program to allow the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide additional funding for airport improvements at vacant facilities, including those located in Ontario. The second amendment … Continue Reading
April 25, 2018
Trump Ocean Club Panama: Torres, Engel, Nadler Question Trump Organization on Use of President’s Office to Advance Personal Interests
A recent report revealed that a Panamanian law firm sent a letter on behalf of the Trump Organization to Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela to request his intervention in an ongoing legal dispute over Trump Ocean Club PanamaRequest raises concerns about the Foreign Emoluments Clause, United States' credibility on questions of corruption and rule of law WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-CA), co-Chair of the Central America caucus, Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), … Continue Reading
April 13, 2018
Torres Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Corruption in the Northern Triangle
Since 2008, the United States has provided more than $1 billion to address violence, organized crime, and narcotics trafficking in Central America; Systemic corruption is undermining these goals in Guatemala, Honduras, and El SalvadorBill would direct the Secretary of State to develop strategy to enhance United States efforts to dismantle corruption in the Northern Triangle regionWASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA), the founder and co-chair of the Central America Caucus and member of … Continue Reading
April 12, 2018
Torres Urges Investment in STEM Education, Hispanic-Serving Institutions
WASHINGTON, DC - In letters to the House Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) called for robust investment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, and in the nation's 472 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI). Specifically, Torres requested funding for: New development grants to build on current efforts to further computer science education, and better prepare students for careers in the field; The National Science Foundation (NSF) and its … Continue Reading
April 09, 2018
Torres Calls for Security and Improved Wait Times at Air, Land, and Sea Ports
WASHINGTON, DC - In letters to the House Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) requested robust funding to maintain security and improve wait times at the nation's air, land, and sea ports."The Inland Empire and the greater Los Angeles area are not only major tourist destinations, but also bustling hubs for transit and commerce in California," said Torres. "We must ensure that we have the proper law enforcement and staff in place to improve security and reduce wait times at … Continue Reading
April 04, 2018
Torres Statement on Trump Central American Migration Comments
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA), the founder and co-chair of the Central America Caucus and member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on President Donald Trump's comments about Central American migration:"President Trump acts surprised that many Central American families are crossing Mexico in search of refuge. He should not be surprised. There is nothing new about the violence and poverty that are … Continue Reading
April 02, 2018
Torres Pushes for Improvements in Local Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, DC - In several letters to the House Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) called for robust funding for regional transportation planning and transit oriented development. Last year, the House of Representatives unanimously approved two amendments introduced by Torres to increase funding for infrastructure and transit programs. The first amendment provided $12 million for the Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Demonstration (RIA) Program, which Torres passed … Continue Reading
March 29, 2018
Torres Urges Increased Funding to End Veteran Homelessness, Boost Homelessness Prevention Efforts
WASHINGTON, DC - In letters to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of several subcommittees of the House Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) called for full funding of the programs under the umbrella of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness' Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, and for $65 million in funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Counseling Assistance program."Homelessness is one of the biggest … Continue Reading
March 19, 2018
Torres Pushes for Increased Funding to Combat Human Trafficking in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, Nationwide
One January 2017 Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Taskforce operation resulted in 36 arrests for suspected trafficking; Since its creation, the task force has rescued at least 120 children and 42 adult victimsOver the past year, the San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force has made 50 arrests for suspected trafficking WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) led a bipartisan group of Members of Congress in a letter to the House Committee on Appropriations calling for $50 … Continue Reading
March 16, 2018
Torres Statement on the Passing of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement on the passing of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY):"I'm truly heartbroken at the passing of my friend and mentor Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. My heartfelt condolences go to her family and loved ones. Congresswoman Slaughter was a champion for women throughout her long career in public service. As one of the longest serving members of Congress, she was an icon who fearlessly fought for women's rights … Continue Reading
March 14, 2018
Fiscales Generales en Centroamérica: Copresidentes del Caucus para Asuntos de Centroamérica abanderan llamado para transparencia en el proceso de selección
WASHINGTON, DC—Hoy, un grupo bipartidista de miembros del Congreso estadounidense escribieron al Subsecretario del Estado, John Sullivan, para subrayar la importancia del proceso de selección de nuevos Fiscales Generales en El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras. La carta llega mientras Guatemala comienza formalmente el proceso de selección de su próximo Fiscal General, y dentro de los próximos doce meses, cada uno de los países del Triángulo Norte seleccionará nuevos Fiscales Generales.Los … Continue Reading
March 14, 2018
Attorneys General in Central America: Central America Caucus Co-Chairs Valadao and Torres Lead Bipartisan Call for Transparency in Selection Processes
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, a bipartisan group of 14 Members of Congress sent a letter to the Deputy Secretary of State, John Sullivan, underscoring the importance of the upcoming selection processes for new Attorneys General in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The letter comes as Guatemala formally begins the process of selecting its next Attorney General; within the next twelve months, each of the Northern Triangle countries will select a new Attorney General.The current Attorneys General … Continue Reading
March 12, 2018
Trump Ocean Club Panama: Torres, Engel Press Drug Enforcement Administration for Answers About Money Laundering and Drug Trafficking
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, sent a letter to Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Director Robert Patterson to press the agency for answers about money laundering and drug trafficking at the Trump Ocean Club Panama, also known as the Bahia Grand Panama. A November 2017 Global Witness report alleged that as many as ten units in the original Trump Ocean Club Panama were … Continue Reading
March 10, 2018
Torres Statement on Pomona Shooting
POMONA, CA - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) released the following statement in response to the fatal police shooting in Pomona, California. Torres spent more than 17 years working as a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the Los Angeles Police Department."As the situation continues to unfold, my heart goes out to the fallen and wounded police officers of the Pomona Police Department. As the mother of a police officer, this tragedy hits especially close to home. I commend our neighboring police … Continue Reading
February 28, 2018
Torres Highlights Veterans Care, Infrastructure, Public Safety, and Dreamers During Congressional Hispanic Caucus Budget Listening Tour
Torres made stops in Redlands, Ontario, Chino, and Pomona to ensure the needs of local residents are reflected in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) budgetAs Chair of the CHC Budget Task Force, Torres has been instrumental in crafting a budget that offers an alternative to the Trump Administration's proposed Fiscal Year 2019 budgetONTARIO, CA - Last week, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres traveled to several communities in and around the Inland Empire to ensure the needs of local … Continue Reading
February 22, 2018
Torres Meets with Local Superintendents to Discuss Gun Violence Prevention in Schools
ONTARIO, CA - U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres met with superintendents from the Fontana Unified School District, Chaffey Joint Union High School District, Ontario-Montclair School District, Pomona Unified School District, and the Chino Valley Unified School District to discuss strategies to prevent gun violence in schools. In light of the tragic high school shooting in Parkland, Florida last week, Torres and the superintendents focused on the importance of providing students with support … Continue Reading
February 13, 2018
Torres Statement on Trump Administration’s Budget and Infrastructure Plan
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement on the Trump Administration's budget proposal and infrastructure plan: "President Trump has managed to do the impossible—run the government like one of his many failing businesses. Far from balancing the budget, the Administration's budget proposal drives us into trillions of dollars of debt for the foreseeable future. This is the latest attempt to chip away at the programs, like Medicare and Medicaid, that … Continue Reading
February 09, 2018
Torres Statement on Budget Caps Agreement
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement on the budget caps agreement:"Many people following the budget process are frustrated and angry with Congress and President Trump—and for good reason. This is the time we should work in a bipartisan manner to deliver the question of who we are as a nation, and unfortunately, that is precisely why I voted no. The budget is the value statement by which we govern America. The agreement we voted on addresses some … Continue Reading