Press Releases
Rep. Torres and Sen. Menendez Lead Bicameral Letter Urging Administration to Fully Establish a National Database for American Manufacturing Supply Chains
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (D-Calif.-35) and U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) sent a letter yesterday to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo calling for the Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to follow congressional intent in establishing a centralized national Supply Chain Database. Without this database, which Congresswoman Torres and Senator Menendez helped incorporate into the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, manufacturers will … Continue Reading
August 01, 2023
Reps. Norma Torres and Brian Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize National Night Out
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) announced today their introduction of a bipartisan resolution to recognize August 1, 2023, as National Night Out. For almost four decades, National Night Out has brought communities together to promote first-responder partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. National Night Out encourages neighborhoods across the country to come together to enhance the relationship between law enforcement and … Continue Reading
July 28, 2023
New Dem Affordable Housing Task Force Chair Torres Applauds Biden Administration’s Efforts to Address Affordable Housing Crisis
Washington, D.C. - New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Affordable Housing Task Force Chair Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today released a statement applauding the Biden Administration for taking action to build more housing and lower costs by removing barriers to inclusive housing production, something New Dems have consistently called for through our Affordable Housing Task Force. This announcement builds on the Coalition’s work to increase safe, stable, and accessible housing. New Dems continue to … Continue Reading
July 27, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Statement on 2023 List of Corrupt Officials in Central America
Washington, D.C. - Following the State Department’s latest release of a list of corrupt government officials in Central America, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), the only Member of Congress to be born in Central America and chair of the bipartisan Central America Caucus, issued this statement: “The ruling Giammattei regime’s attempts to subvert democracy during Guatemala’s recent election made it clear that corruption continues to run rampant in the Northern Triangle. By releasing … Continue Reading
July 26, 2023
Readout of Congresswoman Norma Torres’ Meeting with Guatemalan Presidential Candidate Dr. Bernardo Arévalo
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, as well as the only Member of Congress to be born in Central America and chair of the bipartisan Central America Caucus - met virtually yesterday with Guatemalan presidential candidate Dr. Bernardo Arévalo. Congresswoman Torres and Dr. Arévalo discussed the upcoming presidential runoff election in Guatemala, efforts by elements … Continue Reading
July 21, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Passes Amendment to Help Veterans Get Jobs Post-Discharge
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) last week successfully passed an amendment to direct the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study how the agencies can create straightforward pathways to employ veterans post-discharge. “Our servicemembers have a sworn duty to defend our nation, and Congress in turn has a duty to support our veterans when they come home. The number-one issue I hear from Inland Empire veterans is their … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Secures Inland Empire Wins in FAA Reauthorization Bill
Washington, D.C. - Following the House passage of the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released this statement: “This reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration is a win-win for airports and communities like ours across the nation, including CA-35’s Ontario International Airport. This bill improves our airport infrastructure, fights air … Continue Reading
July 19, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Denounces Extreme Republican Cuts to California’s Infrastructure
Washington, D.C. - In response to yesterday’s full committee markup of the House Appropriations Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subcommittee’s fiscal year 2024 funding bill, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), a member of the Subcommittee, released the following statement: “Inland Empire families can’t count on this House Republican majority to keep our roads, railways, and bridges safe or even help them get to work on time,” said Congresswoman Torres. “The majority has … Continue Reading
July 14, 2023
Rep. Norma Torres Votes No on Extremist House GOP Defense Bill
Washington, D.C. - In response to the passage of the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement: “In the dead of night, extremist Republicans hijacked our nation’s annual defense funding bill - a historically bipartisan piece of legislation - to turn it into a wish list for the most radical elements of the Republican party. I could not in good conscience support a bill that attacks our troop readiness by … Continue Reading
June 26, 2023
Congresswoman Torres and Ranking Member Castro Joint Statement on Guatemalan General Election
Washington, D.C. - In response to yesterday's general election in Guatemala, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), the first Member of Congress to be born in Central America, and Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, issued the following statement: "As we monitor the results from yesterday's election, we remain deeply troubled that the Giammattei government blocked candidates from seeking public office, even … Continue Reading
June 24, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Statement on Anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Decision
Washington, D.C. - Pro-Choice Caucus Vice Chair Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and reversed nearly half a century of legal precedent:"As a mother and grandmother, and on behalf of the 36 million women already suffering the consequences of the disastrous Dobbs decision, I am outraged. A year ago, the Supreme Court decided … Continue Reading
June 22, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Criticizes Republican Poison Pills & Advances Military Cold Case Reform in Defense Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. - Following today's full committee markup of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee's fiscal year 2024 funding bill, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a member of the Appropriations Committee - released a statement:"I am disappointed, but unfortunately not surprised that instead of investing in our national security and the issues that matter most to our men and women in uniform, Republicans continue to let extremists hijack the routine government funding … Continue Reading
June 22, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Opposes Extreme Republican Cuts, Promotes Judiciary Workplace Standards in Government Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. - Following today's markup of the House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee's fiscal year 2024 funding bill, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a member of the subcommittee - released the following statement:"Extremist Republicans have repeatedly abused this year's appropriations process to push their partisan priorities, and the Financial Services and General Government funding bill is no exception," said Congresswoman Torres. "In their … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Highlights Ontario-Based Company for Receiving 2023 Presidential Award for Export Achievements
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Secretary of Commerce honored Ontario-based AQMC as one of 11 companies to receive the President's 2023 "E" Award for Exports earlier this month. AQMC, which developed a method for sterilizing air and surfaces, received the award for its sustained increase of export sales over a four-year period. In response to the news, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - who represents Ontario in the U.S. House of Representatives - issued the following statement:"For the past … Continue Reading
June 20, 2023
Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Torres Statement on Republicans’ Latest Attempt to Erase Facts of January 6th Insurrection
Washington, D.C. - Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight Ranking Member Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement in response to recent actions by Republicans on the Committee:"Last week, after the House adjourned and Members of Congress returned to their districts, I learned that Oversight Subcommittee Republicans had arranged a transcribed interview of former acting US Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman regarding the events of January 6th. They … Continue Reading
June 16, 2023
Reps. Norma Torres & Brad Schneider Reintroduce the Multiple Firearm Sales Reporting Modernization Act
Washington, D.C. - Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Brad Schneider (IL-10) today reintroduced the Multiple Firearm Sales Reporting Modernization Act. The legislation requires all federal firearms licensees to report the sale of two or more long guns, including semi-automatic rifles such as AR-15s and AK-47s, to an individual within a 5-day period."As a former 9-1-1 dispatcher, I've heard the cries on the other side of the line after a horrific act of gun violence, and those calls … Continue Reading
June 15, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Statement on Unjust Conviction of José Rubén Zamora
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement after prominent Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora was sentenced yesterday: "Government should work for the people, not a powerful, corrupt few. The political persecution of José Rubén Zamora makes a mockery of the Guatemalan justice system. I condemn this brazen attack on journalists like Zamora who are simply doing their jobs by shining a light on the inner workings of the government. "Freedom … Continue Reading
June 15, 2023
Representatives Norma Torres & Adriano Espaillat Announce Bipartisan New Americans Caucus for the 118th Congress
Washington, D.C. - June is Immigrant Heritage Month, and today, Chair Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Co-Chair Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) relaunched the Congressional New Americans Caucus for the 118th Congress. The expanded, bipartisan Caucus is comprised of first-generation Members of Congress striving to promote and educate Congress on issues of importance to new Americans."I am thrilled to relaunch the New Americans Caucus because new and aspiring Americans need and … Continue Reading
June 15, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Commemorates 11th Anniversary of DACA
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement on the 11th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and prevents them from being deported:"I came to the U.S. as a child and empathize deeply with the countless young immigrants who have done the same. They deserve the same opportunity I had to become U.S. citizens and give back to their communities. For 11 … Continue Reading
June 13, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Denounces Extremist Republicans’ Efforts to Undermine Veterans’ Programs
Washington, D.C. - Following today's markup of the House Appropriations Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee's fiscal year 2024 funding bill, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a member of the Appropriations Committee - released the following statement:"The 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies funding bill is the result of Republicans taking unprecedented steps to ram through a partisan bill that fails to honor our … Continue Reading