Press Releases
Statement of Congresswoman Norma Torres on President Joe Biden
ONTARIO - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement on President Joe Biden's decision to not seek re-election: President Joe Biden has been one of the most consequential and pivotal forces in American politics for over 50 years - his announcement today, however heartbreaking, further cements his legacy as a man of the highest caliber of character who has always put America first. We are forever indebted to him for his profound and selfless leadership and love of … Continue Reading
July 17, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Releases Report on Systemic Failures to Prevent Workplace Sexual Assault, Harassment, and Misconduct in the Federal Judiciary
Washington D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, released a joint study by the National Academy of Public Administration and the Federal Judicial Center. The study as directed by Congresswoman Torres and funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, is an unprecedented joint report by the Federal Judicial Center (FJC) and the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) assessing the Judiciary’s internal … Continue Reading
July 10, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Statement on Committee Passage of Bipartisan 9-1-1 SAVES ACT
Washington D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), the sole former 9-1-1 dispatcher in Congress, issued the following statement following the unanimous passage of her bipartisan 9-1-1 Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services (SAVES) Act during the House Committee on Education and the Workforce markup. The bill, which has 133 bipartisan cosponsors, is co-led by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “When Americans are experiencing the worst, most life-threatening moments of … Continue Reading
July 09, 2024
Statement from Congresswoman Torres on Judge Kindred Judicial Misconduct and Abuse
Washington, DC — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) - released a statement following the release of information from the Ninth Circuit on investigating U.S. District Judge Joshua M. Kindred of the District of Alaska on judicial and sexual misconduct abuse towards clerks. “No American should suffer sexual misconduct, abuse, or harassment while on the job, yet it continues even in the halls of our judicial system - that must end now,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “Federal judges make … Continue Reading
July 09, 2024
Bipartisan Women, Torres and Hinson Secures Provisions to Limit Judicial Sexual Harassment and Workplace Misconduct
Washington D.C. -- During the House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee’s fiscal year 2025 funding bill markup, Congresswomen Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Ashley Hinson (IA-02) - the only women members of the subcommittee - tout the inclusion of report language in the House-passed bill. The Congresswomen’s report language sets expectations about how the Judiciary must reform and work to improve its systems to prevent sexual harassment and workplace abuse. This … Continue Reading
June 26, 2024
Statement from Congresswoman Torres on the Sentencing of Juan Orlando Hernández
Washington, DC — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, member of the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, and Chair of the Congressional Central American Caucus - issued the following statement on the sentencing of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández: “The people of Honduras deserve leadership that upholds democracy and the rule of law. Juan Orlando Hernández’s leadership was driven by a desire to serve one man: … Continue Reading
June 25, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Urges Secretary Buttigieg to Improve Accessible Infrastructure and Transportation in the Inland Empire
Washington, D.C. — Today Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, highlighting her FY25 Community Funding Projects. These projects prioritize investments in access to safer, affordable, and more reliable transportation options like better bus service and bike infrastructure improvements. The Secretary is responsible for ensuring the … Continue Reading
June 18, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Statement on Biden Administrations New Action to Keep Families Together
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced a new executive action to keep mixed-status families together. The new process would allow non-citizen children and spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for permanent residence and will ease the work visa process for Dreamers and U.S. college graduates. “Today’s announcement from the Biden Administration is a step toward fixing our broken immigration … Continue Reading
June 15, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Commemorates 12th Anniversary of DACA
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement on the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program: "I arrived in the U.S. at the age of five, and I deeply empathize with the countless young immigrants who have shared a similar journey. These children deserve access to the same opportunities I had to become citizens and to build lives here in the United States. For 12 years, DACA has made our nation stronger, … Continue Reading
June 13, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Reintroduces Asbestos Exposure in Housing Reduction Act
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a member of the House Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, reintroduced the Asbestos Exposure in Housing Reduction Act of 2024 to safeguard residents from asbestos exposure by mandating the disclosure of asbestos hazards in the sale and lease of residential housing. The bill would enforce civil and criminal penalties for non-disclosure. “Buyers and renters throughout the country … Continue Reading
June 11, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Introduces International Artificial Intelligence Research Partnership Act of 2024
Washington, D.C. — Today Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations introduced the International Artificial Intelligence Research Partnership Act of 2024, legislation that expands the long tradition of building partnerships between U.S. cities and cities around the world, funding Artificial Research Partnerships to ensure the next generation of AI tools enhance security, protect democracy, increase economic … Continue Reading
June 07, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Condemns Republican Funding Bill Which Places Veterans, Servicemembers, and Families in Jeopardy
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the Appropriations Committee - condemned Republican actions included in the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2025. The bill provides $378,643 billion in funding for veterans affairs, but decreases discretionary funding for critical initiatives by $6.4 billion. This decrease will prevent the military from investing in programs that protect servicemembers’ basic … Continue Reading
June 07, 2024
Representatives Torres and Wagner Statement on Successful Implementation of Central American Women and Children Protection Act in Honduras
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) - released the following statement after the Department of State announced the first successful compact signed between the United States and Honduras to protect women and children in Honduras and address gender-based violence as part of the Central American Women and Children Act. Torres and Wagner introduced and secured funding for the Central American Women and Children Act legislation that … Continue Reading
June 06, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Urges Indoor Heat Standard to Protect Warehouse Workers During Summer Months & Extreme Heat
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - sent a letter to Acting Secretary Su of the U.S. Department of Labor and Secretary Knox of the California Labor and Workforce Development requesting information on how the departments intend to ensure warehouse workers remain safe and are provided with critical training, information, and equipment needed during the upcoming summer months and times of extreme heat. Congresswoman Torres's district is a critical logistics hub for … Continue Reading
June 04, 2024
Statement from Congresswoman Torres on Biden Administration's Executive Order Announcement Limiting Asylum
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Executive Board released the following statement regarding the Biden Administration’s Executive Order announcing implementation measures to regulate the number of individuals permitted to seek asylum at the border. “Congress has been advocating for the allocation of funding to hire more critical personnel at the border. … Continue Reading
May 22, 2024
As Immigrants Face High Stakes, Lawmakers & Advocates Demand the Dignifying Solution of Universal Representation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep Norma Torres (D-CA) alongside Representatives Grace Meng, Robert Garcia, Judy Chu and Dan Goldman were joined by directly-impacted advocates and Fairness to Freedom campaign leaders on Capitol Hill today to urge Congress to support the Fairness to Freedom Act - a bill to establish a federal right to legal representation for all immigrants facing deportation. High stakes for immigrant communities and their families continue to rise this critical election year - making … Continue Reading
May 22, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Introduces Servicemember Equal Recognition & Transition Support (SERTS) Act
Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Norma J Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, introduced the Servicemember Equal Recognition & Transition Support (SERTS) Act, legislation that would build on efforts to assist veterans in transferring trade and skill certifications acquired during military service, such as airplane mechanics, into civilian jobs. "Many veterans across the Inland Empire and the nation were trained in specialized trades during … Continue Reading
May 21, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Introduces Thriving Communities Act
Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Norma J Torres (CA-35) - a member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies announced the Thriving Communities Act, which creates a grant program to provide technical assistance and capacity building support to help underserved communities advance transformative, and equitable infrastructure projects. These projects would increase mobility, reduce pollution, and expand affordable transportation … Continue Reading
May 20, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Fights to Increase Funding for Military Criminal Investigative Organizations in the FY25 Budget
Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Norma J Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee- and Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) - the ranking member of the Personnel Subcommittee of the Committee on House Armed Services, called on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to provide robust funding for the Military Criminal Investigative Organizations (MCIOs), which are essential for solving murders, sexual assaults, rape, and other major crimes against American … Continue Reading
May 16, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Applauds the Passage of the Bipartisan Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) a senior member of the House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee and the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus FAA Reauthorization Task Force, announced the passage of the bipartisan, Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, in the House of Representatives. The Congresswoman voted to pass the legislation to support the aviation workforce and programs at … Continue Reading