Press Releases
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
November 07, 2017
Torres Statement on TPS for Nicaragua and Honduras
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) released the following statement in reaction to the Department of Homeland Security's refusal to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for citizens of Nicaragua and its failure to make a determination with regard to TPS for Honduran nationals:"I am deeply disappointed by the Department of Homeland Security's decision to remove protection from more than two thousand Nicaraguan nationals, as well as the failure to commit to extending TPS for the … Continue Reading
October 30, 2017
Torres Participates in Homeland Security Field Hearing on Port Security
ONTARIO, CA -Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) participated in a bipartisan Homeland Security Committee field hearing at the Port of Los Angeles titled "Examining Physical Security and Cybersecurity at our Nation's Ports." This hearing is being held on the heels of last week's successful passage of H.R. 3101, Torres' Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act of 2017 in the U.S. House of Representatives."Today's hearing highlighted the crucial role … Continue Reading
October 27, 2017
Torres Travels to Puerto Rico to Survey Hurricane Recovery Effort
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Norma Torres (D-Pomona) announced that she is traveling to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to survey the damage and recovery efforts from Hurricane Maria on a delegation with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) and House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05). Torres is the Ranking Member of the Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs Subcommittee of the Natural Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over all matters regarding insular areas of … Continue Reading
October 24, 2017
House Passes Torres Bill To Address Port Cybersecurity Threats
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 3101, the Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act of 2017."I am pleased that the House of Representatives took swift action and passed my legislation, the Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act," said Torres. "The June cyber-attack that impacted the Port of Los Angeles revealed serious vulnerabilities in our maritime security, and we … Continue Reading
October 20, 2017
Torres Concludes Disaster Preparedness Week
ONTARIO, CA - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) concluded her Disaster Preparedness week. The week's events included two successful earthquake preparedness seminars, participating in the Great California Shakeout at Don Lugo High School in Chino, a meeting with local city managers to discuss fire training, and a roundtable with local police and fire chiefs to discuss coordinated preparation and response plans in the case of a disaster."I want to thank everyone who participated in this … Continue Reading
October 18, 2017
Rep. Torres Joins Inland Empire DREAMers at DACA Club Conference
FONTANA, CA—Yesterday, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona), participated in the Inland Empire DACA Club Conference at Chaffey College. At the event, she spoke about her work to fight for the passage of the Dream Act, and pledged her continued support. She also urged Dreamers and their allies to continue their grassroots efforts to build on the widespread popular support for the Dream Act."I am deeply inspired by the important work of the Inland Empire DACA Clubs," said Rep. Torres. "The Dreamers … Continue Reading
October 16, 2017
Rep. Torres Announces Disaster Preparedness Week
ONTARIO, CA - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced the launch of her Disaster Preparedness Week, which will include a series of events to highlight earthquake preparedness, multiple meetings with first responders and elected officials to discuss effective, coordinated emergency response strategies, and taking part in the Great Shakeout at a local high school."Although the planning for my Disaster Preparedness week has been in the works for months, these events are unfortunately … Continue Reading
October 14, 2017
Torres & Labor Secretary Acosta Tour Fontana InTech Center
FONTANA, CA - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) was joined by U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta for a tour of the Chaffey College InTech Center (Industrial and Technical Learning Center) to see how federal grants can jumpstart public-private workforce development programs. Numerous instructors at the InTech Center are full-time CSI employees that train students to industry standards. With programs tailored to the Inland Empire labor market, InTech in Fontana is closing … Continue Reading
October 12, 2017
Rep. Torres Issues Statement on Trump Threats to Abandon Puerto Rico Recovery Effort
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement in response to President Trump's latest threat to abandon the Puerto Rico recovery effort:"The threats against Puerto Rico by President Trump this morning are galling, and fail the basic test of who we are as Americans. We do not abandon Americans during their time in need - be it on the battlefield or following a natural disaster. The President may not understand the devastation and suffering of Americans in … Continue Reading
October 11, 2017
Reps. Torres, Engel, Schneider Introduce Bill to Update Reporting Requirements for Semi-Automatic Rifles
Washington, D.C.—Today, Reps. Norma J. Torres (D-CA), Bradley S. Schneider (D-IL), and Eliot L. Engel (D-NY) introduced the Multiple Firearm Sales Reporting Modernization Act. If approved by Congress and passed into law, the bill would require a federal firearms licensee to report the sale of two or more long guns, including semi-automatic rifles such as the AR-15 and the AK-47, within a five-day period.This bill's introduction comes less than two weeks after the mass shooting in Las Vegas. … Continue Reading
October 10, 2017
Torres Joins House Veterans Affairs Committee to Visit Deported Veterans in Search of Solutions to Honor Their Service
Tijuana, Mexico - Today, Rep. Norma Torres traveled to Mexico to meet with deported U.S. veterans to understand and address the barriers that prevent them from accessing the veterans benefits earned through service to our country. The visit to the Deported Veterans Support House in Tijuana, Mexico, revealed significant opportunities for the Department of Veterans' Affairs and Congress to work together to improve the lives of those who served."It is heartbreaking that veterans, who have given … Continue Reading
September 29, 2017
Rep. Torres leads all Natural Resources Committee Dems to ask for an Oversight Hearing on the Trump Administration’s Puerto Rico & USVI Relief Efforts
Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member Norma Torres of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian, Insular, and Alaska Native affairs released a letter to Chairman Bishop, led by Torres and signed by all nineteen Democrats on the Natural Resources Committee, requesting an oversight hearing on the Trump administration's efforts to address the growing crisis in Puerto Rico. The letter outlines the urgent need to help ensure our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands … Continue Reading
September 26, 2017
Rep. Torres Signs Petition to Bring DREAM Act to the House Floor, Calls for Immediate Action
Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (CA-35) joined dozens of House Democrats in signing a petition to force a vote on the bipartisan DREAM Act. If the petition is signed by a majority of Members, the House would have to take a vote on this legislation, which would offer a path to citizenship for young immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. "President Trump has put in jeopardy the hopes and dreams of hard-working young immigrants." said Rep. Torres. "Now Congress … Continue Reading