Press Releases
Reps. Torres and O'Rourke Introduce Bill to Protect Dreamers
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Reps. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Beto O'Rourke (D-TX) introduced legislation that would protect DACA recipients from the Trump Administration's executive orders. The bill, entitled "Dreamer Protection Act," would prevent the administration from spending taxpayer dollars to apprehend, detain, or deport Dreamers who lose their status as the result of potential changes to the DACA program by the President or other officials."Dreamers are brave young men and women studying … Continue Reading
March 06, 2017
Torres Condemns New Immigration Executive Order
ONTARIO, CA - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) issued the following statement condemning President Trump's new executive order which suspends the refugee program and limits travel to the United States for individuals from certain Muslim-majority countries:"I am extremely disappointed the President decided to reintroduce his travel ban. The order announced today may be more limited, but it is no less reckless, unnecessary, and damaging to our national security. Just as it did before, … Continue Reading
March 02, 2017
Torres Announces Upcoming Townhalls
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) issued the following statement on the importance of hearing directly from constituents and announced upcoming events for residents of the 35th district to make their voices heard:"Representing our community is my biggest privilege. That's why on Saturday, March 25th, I'll be holding a town hall meeting to hear directly from residents of the 35th District. Additional details will be forthcoming. In the meantime, I will also be hosting a … Continue Reading
March 02, 2017
Torres Calls for Resignation of AG Sessions
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) issued the following statement calling for the resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions:"During his confirmation hearings, Jeff Sessions explicitly said ‘I did not have communications with the Russians.' Now we have learned that he lied under oath. For the good of the country and our institutions, Sessions must resign. An independent prosecutor should be appointed and a bipartisan commission should be created to investigate ties … Continue Reading
March 01, 2017
Torres Responds to President's Address to Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) issued the following statement in response to the President's Joint Address to Congress:"I was disappointed by tonight's speech. It did not provide any concrete guarantees that the over 100,000 people in my district who have healthcare through the ACA will be able to keep their coverage or that he has a plan to fund the roads, rail systems, and public transit on which the Inland Empire economy depends. The President has shown us that he … Continue Reading
February 24, 2017
Torres Invites Sudanese Immigrant Detained at LAX as Guest to Presidential Address
ONTARIO, CA - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced that she will be joined at the President's joint address to Congress by Areej Ali, a Sudanese-born green card holder who was initially prohibited from boarding a flight back to the US, and then detained once she arrived at LAX as a result of Donald Trump's travel ban. "I invited Areej to join me at the President's first address to Congress to show him the face of just one of the innocent people who has been swept up by his … Continue Reading
February 24, 2017
Rep. Torres & Tom Steyer Highlight Sustainability in the Inland Empire
ONTARIO, CA - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) joined NextGen Climate President Tom Steyer for tours of projects that are helping to make environmental sustainability a way of life for all residents of the Inland Empire. "Living in Southern California, we recognize how vulnerable our communities are to the impacts of environmental changes," said Torres. "I'm excited to have the opportunity to show one of the leaders in the movement to guard against climate change some of the people and … Continue Reading
February 21, 2017
Torres Convenes Regional Transportation Strategy Meeting with Localities and Regional Transportation Authorities
ONTARIO, CA - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) held a transportation policy roundtable meeting with local officials and regional transportation authorities to discuss short- and long-term regional priorities and increase coordination in planning and building regionally-oriented transportation solutions. "I convened today's meeting in order to encourage more effective regional cooperation in transportation planning," said Torres. "Our transportation needs don't suddenly change at the at … Continue Reading
February 17, 2017
Torres on Reports Administration is Considering Deploying National Guard to Roundup Immigrants
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to reports of a Department of Homeland Security memo exploring the possibility of using National Guard troops to enforce immigration laws:"I really hope that the administration is not considering sending the National Guard into our communities. Using military forces to round up innocent civilians is a page straight out of the dictator's playbook. It is contrary to American values and our long-held … Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
Members Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Reaffirming U.S. Commitment to Fighting Corruption in Central America
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Reps. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and John R. Moolenaar (R-MI), joined by Reps. Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Michael T. McCaul (R-TX), and Albio Sires (D-NJ), introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to reaffirm the United States Congress's commitment to fighting corruption in Central America. The resolution states that efforts to fight corruption must remain at the center of U.S. policy in Central America, that the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption … Continue Reading
February 14, 2017
Torres Disappointed with ICE Director's Refusal to Meet with Hispanic Caucus
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) issued the following statement after a scheduled meeting with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and ICE Acting Director Thomas D. Homan regarding this weekend's immigration raids was abruptly cancelled:"I am deeply disappointed Acting Director Homan has cancelled today's meeting with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. The communities we represent were the most impacted by ICE's activities this weekend, and ICE thus far has failed to … Continue Reading
February 09, 2017
Torres on 9th Circuit Ruling on Travel Ban
ONTARIO, CA - Today Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) issued the following statement on the ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals against reinstating President Trump's travel ban:"I am proud that our judiciary has stood up to the President and his dangerous overreach of power by ruling against reinstating the travel ban. In the short time this ban was in place, President Trump has already done a great deal of harm to our nation and our national security."He has tarnished America's image, … Continue Reading
February 09, 2017
Torres and Cole Introduce Bill Exempting Indian Health Service from Hiring Freeze
WASHINGTON, DC - This week, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) introduced H.R. 981, the Indian Health Service (IHS) Hiring Freeze Exemption Act, a bill that would exempt the Indian Health Service (IHS) from President Trump's federal employee hiring freeze. "Donald Trump's hiring freeze comes at a particularly difficult time for the Indian Health Service, the primary care provider for over 2.2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives," said Torres. "With a nearly 33% … Continue Reading
February 07, 2017
Reps. Torres and Ros-Lehtinen Launch "New Americans Caucus" Highlighting Immigrants Serving in Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - Today Reps. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) announced the creation of the New Americans Caucus to celebrate the growing number of new Americans serving in the United States Congress. The group, comprised of first-generation immigrants, will provide a forum to inform all Members of Congress about the issues affecting new Americans and an opportunity to discuss how immigrants help strengthen the fabric of America. "Through this new Caucus, we hope to show … Continue Reading
February 03, 2017
House Democrats to Speaker Ryan: Is Secret Collaboration by House Staffers with Trump Acceptable?
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, following reports that Republican House Judiciary staffers secretly participated in drafting Donald Trump's anti-refugee executive order, House Democrats wrote to Speaker Paul Ryan strongly urging him to clarify whether it is permissible for House staff to provide assistance to the White House in developing its policies. The letter also demands that Ryan provide explicit guidance regarding whether it is acceptable for House staff to sign non-disclosure agreements with … Continue Reading
January 27, 2017
Statement on Refugee Executive Order
ONTARIO, CA - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to Donald Trump's latest executive actions drastically limiting the admittance of refugees:"Donald Trump's Executive Order on refugees is more reckless fear-mongering that has no basis in reality. Refugees already undergo a long, rigorous screening process that often takes years. While we should work to continuously monitor and improve that process, there is no reason to bring it to a crashing halt or … Continue Reading
January 26, 2017
Statement on Immigration Executive Actions
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to a series of executive actions regarding immigration enforcement announced by the Trump administration:"The Trump administration's executive actions on immigration are an attempt to appease the far right at the expense of our values, security, and economic well-being. Contrary to Trump's claims, these cynical orders will only undermine local law enforcement, waste taxpayer dollars, and strain … Continue Reading
January 25, 2017
Lawmakers Highlight Importance of US-Mexico Cooperation
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, a group of Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to Mexico's undersecretary for North America, Carlos Sada, regarding the importance of U.S.-Mexico cooperation in light of the recent extradition of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. The letter was signed by Reps. Norma J. Torres (D-CA), Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), and James P. McGovern (D-MA).The letter comes as the Trump administration announces new executive actions … Continue Reading
January 24, 2017
Torres Named to Foreign Affairs and Natural Resources Subcommittees
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) was named to the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade and the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere of the Foreign Affairs Committee. She was also elected Ranking Member of the Indian, Insular and Native Alaskan Affairs Subcommittee and named to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands of the Natural Resources Committee."I am honored to serve on the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade on the House Foreign … Continue Reading
January 23, 2017
Statement on Southern California Flooding
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) released the following statement in response to reports of widespread flooding throughout Southern California and in particular, the Inland region: "With rains continuing and flooding only set to get worse across Southern California, I urge Inland Empire residents to exercise extreme caution and limit travel as best they can. Floodwaters are often deceptive and unpredictable. Please do not put your life and the lives of first responders … Continue Reading