Press Releases
Torres Statement on Fifth Republican Stop-Gap Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement on Republicans' fifth short-term spending bill in Fiscal Year 2018:"This is the fifth short-term spending bill just five months into the fiscal year. Americans I know believe our great country shouldn't be living on a week-to-week budget. The last time we were here, I warned that a 17-day extension would not be enough time to address the pressing domestic needs before us. Today, the Republican-controlled … Continue Reading
February 01, 2018
Following State of the Union, Torres and New Democrat Coalition Release Infrastructure Priorities for 2018
Torres spearheaded efforts to include regulatory reforms that would encourage innovation and efficiency in the nation's infrastructure in the Coalition's prioritiesWASHINGTON, DC - Following the infrastructure proposal outlined by President Trump in his State of the Union address, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona), co-chair of the 21st Century Infrastructure Task Force, joined with other members of the New Democrat Coalition to release a set of infrastructure priorities to increase long-term … Continue Reading
January 30, 2018
Torres Statement on Trump’s State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement in response to President Trump's State of the Union Address:"I was hoping to hear President Trump promise to unite our country. Instead, President Trump's State of the Union address mirrored many of the harmful proposals we've seen in his first year in office. Rather than focus on policies that will grow our economy and improve the lives of all Americans, not just the wealthiest in our society, the President … Continue Reading
January 30, 2018
Torres Invites Cal Poly Pomona Veteran to State of the Union
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) is attending the State of the Union address with Cal Poly Pomona student veteran Sommarani "Mayra" Chan as her guest. Mayra's family fled from the Khmer Rouge Genocide in Cambodia and sought protection in a Thailand refugee camp. In 1985, the family resettled in the U.S., where Mayra became a first-generation American."It is an honor to have veteran and Cal Poly Pomona graduate student Mayra Chan as my guest to the State of the Union. Mayra's … Continue Reading
January 22, 2018
Torres Responds to Yet Another Republican Stop-Gap Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement on Republicans' fourth short-term spending resolution four months into Fiscal Year 2018:"I voted NO on this fourth short-term funding bill because an empty promise is not a commitment to stay and work through the budget. There's no assurance that we won't be here in a couple of weeks in the same spot when this temporary funding expires again. This 17-day extension leaves us with just four full working days to … Continue Reading
January 19, 2018
Torres Statement on Republicans’ Dysfunctional Government
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement regarding the House vote on H.R. 195, Continuing Appropriations Act:"This bill marks the fourth time we are voting on a continuing resolution; this is no way to govern. We are four months into the fiscal year and Republicans have yet to figure out how they are going to pay for their trillion-dollar tax cut. This is what happens when you prioritize millionaires over the rest of America. Make no mistake, this is … Continue Reading
January 10, 2018
Torres Introduces Bill to Block Trump’s Plan to Deregulate Exportation of Firearms
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) introduced the Prevent Crime and Terrorism Act of 2018 to limit the Trump administration's plans to deregulate firearm exports. Under President Trump's proposal, the export licensing process for firearms would no longer be controlled by the State Department, which has the on-the-ground expertise and relationships necessary to properly weigh the potential risks of firearm sales against any benefits, and would instead be controlled by Department … Continue Reading
January 10, 2018
Rep. Torres Responds to DACA Injunction
WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement in response to the preliminary injunction issued by California's Northern District Court on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals:"Yesterday's ruling confirms what many of us have known for a long time: the Trump administration ended DACA for political reasons, not legal ones. In his meeting with Members of Congress yesterday, President Trump said, ‘because we're going to get DACA done — I hope we're going … Continue Reading
January 08, 2018
Torres on Decision to End Temporary Protected Status for Salvadorans
WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement in reaction to the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador:"I am disappointed by President Trump's decision to upend the lives of nearly 200,000 Salvadorans with Temporary Protected Status and to set back the progress that has been made in Central America. As the founder and co-chair of the Central America Caucus, I have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to bring about … Continue Reading
December 21, 2017
Torres Statement on Short Term Continuing Resolution & Disaster Package
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement regarding votes on a four-week continuing resolution and supplemental disaster funding bill: "Congress has been kicking the can down the road for weeks now, failing to meet our responsibilities to the people of the United States. The attempts today to jam incomplete and inadequate funding packages through Congress further delay action on multiple urgent crises that our country is facing, and for that reason I … Continue Reading
December 21, 2017
Rep. Torres Leads House Democrats in Objecting to Trump Administration Response to Honduras Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, 20 Democratic Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee sent a letter to Secretary Tillerson regarding the political crisis in Honduras. The Members objected to the Trump administration's anemic response to the many troubling reports of irregularities and human rights violations that have emerged since the November 26 election. They also called on the Department of State to support the efforts of the Organization of American States to advance a peaceful and … Continue Reading
December 21, 2017
Rep. Torres Amendment Addresses Increased Threat of Landslides Due to Wildfires
WASHINGTON, DC— Rep. Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement following the passage of her amendment to the National Landslide Preparedness Act."Many don't know that wildfire activity increases the risk of landslides and flooding," said Torres. "My amendment is a small addition to the National Landslide Preparedness Act, which simply states that we should also address and study potential landslides in relation to wildfires. California has experienced a great deal of landslides … Continue Reading
December 20, 2017
Torres, Eshoo, Pallone Introduce Legislation to Fund and Improve 9-1-1 Systems
WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Representative Norma J. Torres (CA-35), along with Reps. Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), Co-Chair of the Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus and Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced legislation to upgrade our nation's 9-1-1 call centers to meet the demands of rapidly changing communications technology. The Next Generation (NG) 9-1-1 Act of 2017 strengthens federal efforts to help state and local governments to transition to NG9-1-1 … Continue Reading
December 19, 2017
Reps. Torres, Kildee, and Kilmer Highlight How Republican Tax Plan Ignored Indian Country
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) and Congressman Derek Kilmer (WA-06) hosted a press call with reporters on the impacts of the Republican tax plan on Indian Country today, Tuesday, December 19, 2017. Rep. Torres stated, "In his inauguration speech, the President stated that ‘what truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our government is controlled by the people…. The forgotten men and women of our country will … Continue Reading
December 14, 2017
Torres Statement on FCC Ruling
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement in response to the Federal Communications Commission vote on net neutrality:"The FCC's vote on Thursday is an attack on small businesses and everyday consumers that simply cannot afford to pay higher prices for faster internet speeds. In a time when most people are beginning to use the internet as their main source of communication, we should be working to ensure that broadband companies do not take advantage … Continue Reading
December 02, 2017
Torres Statement on Passage of Senate Tax Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement regarding the Senate tax bill: "Republicans in the Senate just passed their latest toxic version of the tax bill. It's unfathomable to me that the GOP has chosen to move forward with this bill when Americans overwhelmingly oppose it. This tax scam will raise taxes on millions of middle class families making less than $75K, while cutting taxes for corporations and the wealthy; increase the deficit by $1.5 … Continue Reading
November 30, 2017
Torres and Cole Introduce 'Jobs for Tribes Act' to Ignite Economic Development Throughout Indian Country
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) introduced the Jobs for Tribes Act, a bill that will strengthen Indian Country's ability to become more self-sufficient by providing urgently needed business and economic development assistance.Native Americans face barriers and challenges, such as lack of infrastructure and access to capital, which contribute to the high rates of poverty and unemployment. Aggravating these problems is the lack of parity in treatment … Continue Reading
November 29, 2017
Torres and Cole Introduce Savanna's Act to Protect Native American Women and Girls
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) introduced Savanna's Act, a bill named in honor of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, a 22-year old pregnant member of the Spirit Lake Tribe who was tragically murdered in August. The legislation addresses the disturbing increase in murdered and missing Native American women by closing the gap of information sharing between tribal, local, and federal law enforcement agencies."The increasing crisis of missing and murdered … Continue Reading
November 29, 2017
Torres Statement Regarding Honduran Elections
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) released the following statement regarding the recent elections in Honduras:"I am deeply troubled by the developing situation in Honduras. International elections observers have raised serious concerns about the unreasonable and unprecedented delays in the publication of results. It is essential that Honduras' Supreme Electoral Tribunal make results available in a more transparent and timely manner. I urge all parties, including the … Continue Reading
November 09, 2017
Rep. Norma Torres Introduces GI Bill Distance Learning Improvement Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA) introduced the GI Bill Distance Learning Improvement Act, in honor of Veterans Day. This legislation looks to assist veterans' pursuit of higher education following their military service by providing additional resources to support distance learning.The Post-9/11 Veterans' Educational Assistance Act of 2008, commonly known as the Post 9/11 GI Bill, improved access to higher education for veterans; however the law did not include all of the … Continue Reading