Press Releases
Torres Statement on President's Budget
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget request: “The budget proposed today represents a continued investment in our communities and in the hard-working families of the Inland Empire. While our region continues to wrestle with unemployment, homelessness, and a transportation system that is struggling to keep up, this year we also witnessed an act of terror hit dangerously close to … Continue Reading
January 28, 2016
Torres Announces Military Academy Nominations
ONTARIO, CA - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced the names of the four students nominated to the U.S. Service Academies. The students were selected through a rigorous application and interview process, and their nominations will now go to the respective service academies for final approval. "The opportunity to choose nominees for the service academies is a responsibility I did not take lightly," said Torres. "All of our candidates not only had strong academic records and … Continue Reading
January 25, 2016
Torres Joins VA Secretary in San Bernardino
ONTARIO, CA - Today Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) joined Secretary of Veterans Affairs Bob McDonald in meetings with public and private sector leaders working to address veterans homelessness in San Bernardino County. Secretary McDonald’s visit to San Bernardino County kicked off his four day trip to the Los Angeles metro area. “As communities across the nation work to meet the administration’s ambitious goal to end veterans homelessness, right here at home San Bernardino County is … Continue Reading
January 20, 2016
Torres Participates in Field Hearing on Ending Veteran Homelessness
ONTARIO, CA - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) took part in a field hearing at Riverside City College on reducing homelessness among veterans. The hearing, titled "Finding Solutions for Veteran Homelessness in Southern California," was hosted by Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) and brought together representatives from the private and public sectors to discuss how local programs are helping to decrease the number of homeless veterans. "No individual willing to give their life for this … Continue Reading
January 12, 2016
Torres Response to State of the Union
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address: “President Obama spoke tonight to a nation facing difficult times in an increasingly turbulent world, but as he said, we have come a long way in the past seven years and have every reason to look ahead to an even brighter tomorrow. I share the President’s optimism in the capacity of the American people and in the American spirit, and … Continue Reading
January 08, 2016
Torres Invites San Bernardino Dispatcher to State of the Union
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced that she will be joined at this year's State of the Union address by Annemarie Teall, the dispatcher who directed 911 traffic during the San Bernardino shooting. "Annemarie was the calm voice we all heard on the 911 recordings from that fateful day," said Torres. "As panic spread throughout the region, she and her team coordinated a swift, effective emergency response to what is likely the greatest tragedy our community has … Continue Reading
December 16, 2015
House Passes Torres Port Cybersecurity Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 3878, the Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act of 2015."More than $1.3 trillion in cargo moves annually through our nation's 360 commercial ports, and many of the goods that enter through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach come to my district before being shipped to the rest of the country," said Torres. "With this much economic activity and the increased use of cyber … Continue Reading
December 08, 2015
House Passes Torres/Carter Law Enforcement Training Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Today the House of Representatives passed by a vote of 420 to 2 H.R. 3842, a bill introduced by Reps. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Buddy Carter (R-GA) making improvements to and permanently establishing the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). FLETC provides quality, cost-effective training to more than 70,000 law enforcement officers across a variety of agencies each year at seven locations around the country. "The urgency to pass this bill has only grown in the … Continue Reading
December 02, 2015
Torres Statement on San Bernardino Shooting
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) released the following statement in response to the shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California: "As this situation continues to unfold, my heart goes out to the victims and their families. These kinds of tragedies are always heartbreaking, but today, it has hit frighteningly close to home. Not only is this facility located within my previous state Senate district, but constituents of the 35th congressional … Continue Reading
November 25, 2015
Torres Meets with Syrian Refugee Families
ONTARIO, CA - Today Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, met with families of Syrian refugees at the Islamic Center of Claremont in Pomona to hear first-hand their experiences with the refugee screening process and their resettlement in California. "As an immigrant myself, I know that we can't turn our backs on those in greatest need," said Torres. "I came to the U.S. as a small girl during a very dangerous time in Guatemala, because my … Continue Reading
November 18, 2015
4,000+ Residents Join Torres on El Niño Tele-Town Hall
WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday evening, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) hosted a Telephone Town Hall for constituents with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on preparing for El Niño. It was the latest in a series of outreach efforts to help Inland Empire residents get ready, including an El Niño Preparedness Seminar in Chino and a comprehensive online resources page. "Ultimately, we can never … Continue Reading
November 17, 2015
Torres Statement on Paris Attacks
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) has issued the following statement in response to the terrorist attacks in Paris, France:"The attacks of this past week were more than a tragedy for the victims and their loved ones, they were an attack on our values, our freedoms, and our shared humanity. The attacks in Paris have unquestionably hit close to home, but they also came on the heels of deadly ISIL attacks in Egypt, Beirut, and Baghdad. They are all a stark reminder of the threat … Continue Reading
November 05, 2015
Torres Calls on IRS to Investigate LA County Fair Association
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, in letters to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Attorney General for the State of California, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) asked the IRS to re-examine the current tax exempt status of the Los Angeles County Fair Association and work with the California Attorney General to restructure the Association to better serve the public. "For far too long, the Association has ignored the concerns of local residents and operated without sufficient oversight or … Continue Reading
October 30, 2015
Torres Introduces Bills to Improve LA Ports' Security
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at improving coordination in homeland security efforts, particularly as they relate to area ports. "With many of the goods that arrive at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles coming through my district before being distributed throughout the rest of the country, securing our area ports is one of my top priorities," stated Torres. "Earlier this year I had the opportunity to tour the Port … Continue Reading
October 26, 2015
Declaracion sobre la eleccion presidencial en Guatemala
TORRES: DECLARACIÓN SOBRE LA ELECCION PRESIDENCIAL EN GUATEMALA (English version follows) WASHINGTON, DC - Hoy, la Representante Norma J. Torres, la primera congresista estadounidense de origen guatemalteco, emitió la siguiente declaración con respeto a las elecciones presidenciales en Guatemala: "Felicito a Jimmy Morales por su victoria. El pueblo guatemalteco ha hecho oír su voz, pero estas elecciones siempre han sido más que una decisión entre candidatos. Forman parte de un … Continue Reading
October 06, 2015
Torres Statement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) issued the following statement in response to a final agreement being reached on the Trans-Pacific Partnership: "While I recognize the historic nature of this deal, my first responsibility is to the hard working men and women who call the Inland Empire home. In the coming months, I look forward to reading through the agreement and meeting with constituents and local and national stakeholders to determine the impact TPP will have on our … Continue Reading
September 24, 2015
Torres Reflects on Pope's Message to Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) issued the following statement in response to Pope Francis's address to a Joint Meeting of Congress: "Pope Francis's address before Congress as well as the events of the last few days have rejuvenated my faith and brought me closer to a Church from which I, like many others, had become estranged. I am proud, as are so many Catholics in the United States and throughout the Hemisphere, to see myself in this Pope. "The Pope's message today … Continue Reading
September 23, 2015
Torres Statement in Anticipation of Pope's Address to Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) issued the following statement on the Pope's visit to Congress and what she hopes to hear during his address: "Pope Francis has breathed new life into the Church, but his impact has gone far beyond Catholicism. By engaging in issues like climate change, immigrants' rights, and economic justice, he has solidified his role as not only a religious figure but also a humanitarian and moral leader for individuals of all faiths. I look forward … Continue Reading
September 07, 2015
Torres Labor Day Message
ONTARIO, CA - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) released the following statement recognizing the importance of Labor Day:"Over the last several years, American workers have taken quite the hit. While our economy is recovering, wages haven't bounced back in the same way and many find themselves working longer hours with fewer benefits. As we join with our friends and families around barbecues and take in the last days of summer, let's remember the victories of the labor movement, from … Continue Reading
September 03, 2015
Torres Statement on Resignation of Guatemalan President
ONTARIO, CA - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) issued the following statement in response to the resignation of Guatemalan President Otto Pérez Molina: "Today's announcement represents an important step forward for Guatemala's future. I commend the Commission Against Impunity for the vital role it has played in bringing accountability to the Guatemalan government and proving that no one is above the law However, it is the people who took to the streets and demanded more from their … Continue Reading