Press Releases
Congresswoman Torres Statement on HHS’ Audit of Office of Refugee Resettlement
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today issued the following statement on the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) internal audit of the Office of Refugee Resettlement's (ORR) sponsor vetting and placement process for unaccompanied minors:"After fully reviewing HHS' audit of the ORR, I am deeply troubled by its findings. As someone who came to the United States as a child, I know firsthand how crucial it is for minors to have a secure, welcoming place to live … Continue Reading
May 31, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Statement on Debt Ceiling Vote
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement on tonight's vote to raise the debt ceiling in exchange for harmful spending cuts: "While I would never support defaulting on our nation's full faith and credit, I condemn Republicans' reckless attempts to hold our economy and constituents hostage. Though Democrats succeeded in protecting Medicare and critical veterans' health care benefits in this agreement, I could not support a bill that ties our … Continue Reading
May 29, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Commemorates Memorial Day, Demands Justice for Enrique Roman-Martinez
Pomona, CA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today joined Inland Empire families in commemorating Memorial Day and marking the anniversary of the unsolved murder of Army Specialist Enrique Roman-Martinez, a Chino native. Three years ago, Spc. Roman-Martinez was murdered while camping with seven other servicemembers in North Carolina's Outer Banks. A week later, his partial remains were found washed ashore, and his death remains a cold case."This Memorial Day, I'm proud to join our … Continue Reading
May 23, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Reintroduces Wildfire Grid Resiliency Act
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today reintroduced the Wildfire Grid Resiliency Act, which would allocate $10,000,000 for the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop technologies to mitigate wildfire-related electrical grid damage. The legislation authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide grants to the DOE National Laboratories for projects to protect power grids from fire damage, monitor vegetation management, and protect first responders."Californians deserve a … Continue Reading
May 18, 2023
Reps. Torres, Correa & Espaillat Reintroduce Remote Naturalization Act
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today reintroduced the Remote Naturalization Act to give naturalized U.S. citizens the option to take their naturalization oath via videoconferencing technology or over the phone. The Congresswoman's legislation is cosponsored by Congressmen Lou Correa (CA-46) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13).Since 2015, a growing naturalization application backlog has left hundreds of thousands of new Americans mere steps away from citizenship. During the … Continue Reading
May 11, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Introduces Bill to Establish Pilot Program to Repair Damage from Mudslides
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) introduced the "Mudslide Recovery Act," legislation directing the Departments of Interior and Homeland Security to establish a pilot grant program to address damage from mudslides. These highly destructive debris flows can occur both immediately and years after wildfires in response to intense rainfall, often with little warning. Mudslides strip vegetation, block drainage ways, damage homes and infrastructure, and endanger human … Continue Reading
May 01, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Leads 30+ Members of Congress to Recognize April 30th – May 6th as Wildfire Preparedness Week
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) led over 30 Members of Congress in introducing a resolution to designate April 30th - May 6th as Wildfire Preparedness Week. The resolution aims to increase public awareness about wildfires nationally and coincides with the State of California's initiatives to enhance fire safety and preparedness."No one should ever be forced to endure the financial, physical, and emotional consequences that come with losing a home. Having lost my own … Continue Reading
May 01, 2023
Torres, CAPAC Members and House Democratic Leader Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Washington, D.C. — May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a celebration of the history, the immeasurable contributions, and achievements of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. To commemorate this month-long celebration, members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statements:Rep. Norma Torres (CA-35):"Thousands of Asian … Continue Reading
April 28, 2023
Torres Selects 15 Inland Empire Projects for FY24 Community Project Funding
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced that she submitted 15 proposed community projects, which if funded, would bring a total of $43,398,961 directly to California's 35th Congressional District. The submissions were made to the House Appropriations Committee as it kicks off the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Community Project Funding process. During FY22 and FY23, Congresswoman Torres secured $34 million for community projects to benefit Inland Empire residents."As a member … Continue Reading
April 27, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Responds to Biden Administration Actions to Enable Lawful Pathways to Immigration
Washington, D.C. - The Biden Administration today announced a series of actions regarding migration across the Western Hemisphere. This includes plans to establish regional processing centers in Central and South America to facilitate legal immigration pathways to the United States. Central America Caucus Co-Chair Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) has repeatedly called on the Administration to take action to stabilize Central America, establish stronger protections for asylum seekers, and … Continue Reading
April 21, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Announces 2023 Congressional Art Competition
Washington, D.C. - The 2023 Congressional Art Competition is underway for all high school students in California's 35th Congressional District, and today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued a call for submissions. The winning artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Complex for one year, and the winning artist will also receive roundtrip tickets to Washington, D.C. "Our district has so many talented young artists, and the Congressional Art Competition is a great opportunity … Continue Reading
April 20, 2023
Reps. Torres, Kelly, Fitzpatrick Introduce PROTECT 911 Act
Washington, D.C. - Representatives Norma Torres (D-CA-35), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) introduced the bipartisan Providing Resources and Occupational Training for Emotional Crisis and Trauma (PROTECT) 911 Act to address important health and wellness issues for our nation's 9-1-1 call-takers and dispatchers. The introduction of this legislation follows National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, a time to celebrate and thank those who dedicate their lives to … Continue Reading
April 18, 2023
Representatives Torres, Meng & Jayapal and Senators Gillibrand & Booker Introduce Fairness to Freedom Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Grace Meng (NY-06), and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), along with Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and Cory Booker (NJ), introduced the Fairness to Freedom Act. This bicameral legislation establishes the right to legal representation for individuals facing removal from the United States who are unable to afford it. This historic piece of legislation is endorsed by over 170 groups and co-sponsored by Reps. James P. McGovern … Continue Reading
April 12, 2023
Representatives Norma Torres & Brian Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Honor Public Safety Telecommunicators
Washington, D.C. - During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35), the only former 9-1-1 dispatcher serving in Congress, and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), a former FBI Special Agent, introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize the contributions of public safety telecommunicators to keeping our communities safe and helping save lives. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week occurs the second full week of April and honors dispatchers for this … Continue Reading
April 10, 2023
Reps. Norma Torres & Andy Kim Lead Letter in Support of Robust FY24 Funding for Military Criminal Investigative Organizations
Washington, D.C. - Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Andy Kim (NJ-03), who is Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, recently led 16 of their fellow lawmakers in a letter that called for adequate, stable funding for Military Criminal Investigative Organizations (MCIOs) to be included in the FY24 Defense Appropriations funding bill. The lawmakers highlighted that MCIOs need additional resources after a series of high-profile crimes against … Continue Reading
April 10, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Leads Letter in Support of Funding for Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program
Washington, D.C. - Last month, Representative Norma J. Torres (CA-35) led 20 of her House colleagues in a letter to the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations subcommittee requesting $40 million in funding for the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program at the Department of Education. This program is based on the BASIC Act, introduced by Congresswoman Torres.As a Member of Congress, Torres has repeatedly heard from students about the … Continue Reading
April 06, 2023
Congresswoman Torres & 58 Lawmakers Call for Funding to Provide Legal Representation for People Facing Removal Proceedings
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) led 58 of her House colleagues in a letter requesting $150 million in funding to expand federal programs that provide legal representation for the thousands of immigrants, asylum seekers, families, and other vulnerable individuals who face federal immigration court removal proceedings. The letter was sent to Chairman Hal Rogers and Ranking Member Matt Cartwright of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and … Continue Reading
March 28, 2023
Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Torres Statement on Republicans’ Reinvestigation of Jan. 6
Washington, D.C. - Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight Ranking Member Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement in response to the release of initial findings in Subcommittee Chairman Barry Loudermilk's reinvestigation of Jan. 6:"As the Ranking Member of the House Administration Oversight Subcommittee, I find it unacceptable - but not surprising - the Republican majority has released these findings without previously sharing any information with the … Continue Reading
March 23, 2023
Torres, Schakowsky, Booker, Lee, DeGette, Pressley, Strickland Reintroduce the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act
Washington, D.C.?- Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Vice Chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, and U.S. Senator Cory Booker were joined by U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky, Barbara Lee, Diana DeGette, Ayanna Pressley, and Marilyn Strickland in reintroducing their legislation, the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act. In addition to the co-leads, the bill has 142 original cosponsors in the House. The Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act would repeal the 1973 … Continue Reading
March 16, 2023
Rep. Norma Torres to Lead New Democrat Coalition Affordable Housing Task Force
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representative Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced that she will be leading the New Democrat Coalition Affordable Housing Policy Task Force as Chair in the 118th Congress. Families in California's 35th District and across the nation have felt the impact of inflation and our nation's housing crisis, facing high rental prices and a lack of housing supply.Affordable and quality housing is critical for a strong economy, and Rep. Torres is focused on making this a reality. … Continue Reading