Press Releases
Torres to Trump: “Use of Deadly Force Against Innocent and Unarmed Civilians Will Never Make Our Southwest Border Secure”
Following the May 23 killing of twenty-year-old Guatemalan national Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzalez by an agent of the United States Border Patrol, Torres presses President Trump for a thorough and transparent investigation of the incident, urges further reforms to Border Patrol procedures, and questions the administration's strategy for securing the nation's southwest border WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) called on President Donald Trump to ensure that … Continue Reading
May 29, 2018
Torres Leads California Congressional Delegation Members in Calling on State Leadership to Expand and Improve Child Care
In California, the Child Care and Development Block Grant program serves fewer than 14 percent of income eligible children, with an estimated 1.2 million children going unserved and 400,000 eligible children on child care waitlists WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (CA-35) led members of the California congressional delegation in a letter to Governor Jerry Brown, Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins, State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, and the California Legislative … Continue Reading
May 24, 2018
Propuesta de Torres para Fortalecer la Lucha contra la Corrupción en América Central Aprobada por la Cámara de Representantes
WASHINGTON, DC — Hoy, la representante Norma J. Torres (D-CA), fundadora y copresidenta del bipartidista Caucus de Asuntos de Centroamérica, anunció que una enmienda que presentó fue aprobada por unanimidad por la Cámara de Representantes. La enmienda, que se incluyó en la Ley de Autorización de Defensa Nacional (NDAA) anual, requerirá que el Secretario de Defensa elabore una lista de funcionarios de los gobierno centroamericanos que están involucrados en la corrupción."Hoy, el Congreso ha … Continue Reading
May 22, 2018
Torres, Rogers Lead Bipartisan Group in Opposition to Plan to Weaken the Fight Against Drug Trafficking
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Hal Rogers (R-KY) have led a bipartisan group of members of Congress in calling on President Donald Trump not to shift management of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to the Department of Justice. The program's location within the Office of the President and not a specific agency has fostered an unprecedented level of cooperation, coordination, and … Continue Reading
May 22, 2018
Torres Congratulates Local Students Accepted to U.S. Military Service Academies
ONTARIO, CA - Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) recently congratulated four area high school students accepted to the U.S. nilitary service academies. The students were nominated by a panel of judges with military backgrounds. Following a rigorous application and interview process, the judges made their recommendations to the respective service academies for final approval. "Each year, one of my greatest privileges as a member of Congress is to nominate the best candidates our district has to … Continue Reading
May 10, 2018
Torres Tours Abandoned National Guard Station at Ontario International Airport to Highlight Her Legislation to Strengthen Aviation Industry
Many of the nation's airports, including Ontario International Airport, previously or currently shared space with facilities from our Armed Services; many of these sites have sat largely unchanged for decades due to the environmental hazards of demolitionTorres's tour comes on the heels of the House's passage of two of her legislative proposals to make better use of vacant military facilities and reduce airport noiseONTARIO, CA - Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) recently visited the Ontario … Continue Reading
May 08, 2018
Torres, Cole Bipartisan Bill to Ignite Economic Development Throughout Indian Country Clears Key Committee, Heads to House Floor for a Vote
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Reps. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Tom Cole (R-OK) announced that the House Committee on Natural Resources passed their bipartisan Jobs for Tribes Act, paving the way for a vote on the House floor. The bill would strengthen Indian Country's ability to become more self-sufficient by providing urgently needed business and economic development assistance."While the nation just hit unemployment levels below four percent, the same cannot be said for Indian Country," said … Continue Reading
May 03, 2018
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