Press Releases
Congresswoman Torres Introduces the Indian Buffalo Management Act
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) introduced the Indian Buffalo Management Act. This legislation establishes a permanent program within the Department of the Interior to develop and promote tribal ownership and management of buffalo and buffalo habitat on Tribal lands. Congresswoman Torres was joined by Reps. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Mary Peltola (D-AK), Tom Cole (R-OK), and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) in introduction. This legislation is endorsed by the InterTribal Buffalo … Continue Reading
November 21, 2023
Congresswoman Norma Torres Co-Leads Bipartisan Legislation to Support Entrepreneurs at HSIs, HBCUs & Other Minority-Serving Institutions
Washington, D.C. — Ahead of Small Business Saturday, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) co-led the introduction of the Minority Entrepreneurship Grant Program Act, bipartisan legislation that creates a grant program with the Small Business Administration for entrepreneurs at minority-serving institutions like Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Representatives Nikema Williams (GA-05), Alma Adams (NC-12), Dwight Evans (PA-03),and Brian Fitzpatrick … Continue Reading
November 16, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Raises Concerns Over Adequate Military Investigations Across DoD Branches
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a member of the House Appropriations Committee - sent a letter to U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General Robert P. Storch to request the Inspector General review the Defense Department’s Military Criminal Investigative Organizations (MCIOs) and their efforts to deliver justice for victims like Army Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez. The Congresswoman’s constituent, Army Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez, was murdered over three years ago, … Continue Reading
November 15, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Announces Over $350,000 in Federal Funding for Safe Streets, Roads in City of Ontario
Pomona, CA — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced today the delivery of $360,000 in federal grant funding to the City of Ontario for the development of a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan to reduce and eliminate serious injury and fatal crashes. This grant award from the Department of Transportation - made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - will address transportation insecurity, social and health vulnerabilities, and climate resilience with the goal of preventing future … Continue Reading
November 14, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Statement on Vote to Keep the Government Open
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee - today released the following statement after voting to keep the government open: “Though I voted for this stopgap bill to keep the government open, this plan is flawed and falls short of the challenges facing our nation at home and abroad. “By separating government funding deadlines, this two-step plan not only breaks the precedent of our annual government funding … Continue Reading
November 09, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Leads Congressional Hispanic Caucus Colleagues in Urging U.S. Support to the Mexican Government Following Hurricane Otis
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, led a letter today with her Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) colleagues to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power, requesting more information on how the Biden Administration is engaging with the Mexican government following Hurricane Otis’ devastation. The lawmakers … Continue Reading
November 08, 2023
Representatives Torres & Fitzpatrick Reintroduce Bipartisan 9-1-1 SAVES Act to Reclassify 9-1-1 Dispatchers as First Responders
Washington, D.C. — Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - the first former 9-1-1 dispatcher to serve in Congress - and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) - a former FBI Special Agent and federal prosecutor - announced the reintroduction of the bipartisan 9-1-1 Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services (SAVES) Act. 9-1-1 dispatchers are currently not classified as first responders, though other professions like school crossing guards are. At zero cost to American taxpayers, the 9-1-1 SAVES Act … Continue Reading
November 07, 2023
Torres, Schneider, Scholten, Torres Lead Statement on “From the River to the Sea” and the Ongoing Hamas-Israel War
Washington, D.C. — Representatives Norma Torres (CA-35), Brad Schneider (IL-10) Hillary Scholten (MI-03), and Ritchie Torres (NY-15) led a statement on the phrase “from the river to the sea” and the ongoing Hamas-Israel War. The following members co-signed that statement: Bera, Ami; Boyle, Brendan; Brownley, Julia; Brown, Shontel; Budzinski, Nikki; Carbajal, Salud; Carter, Troy; Casten, Sean; Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila; Cohen, Steve; Correa, J.; Costa, Jim; Courtney, Joe; Craig, Angie; … Continue Reading
November 02, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Statement on Vote Against Partisan Conditions on Aid to Israel
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today released the following statement after voting against H.R. 6126 to reject partisan conditions on aid to Israel: “I unequivocally support the people of Israel, their right to defend themselves, and the commitment of the United States to stand by our strongest ally in the region, but I could not in good conscience support the cynical, partisan aid package that Speaker Johnson presented. Today, I voted to reject any conditions … Continue Reading
November 01, 2023
Representatives Torres & Bonamici Introduce Legislation to Keep Pedestrians & Vulnerable Road Users Safe
Washington, D.C. — Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) announced today the introduction of the Pedestrian Hazard, Awareness and Safety Expansion (PHASE) Act to address rising pedestrian accidents and fatalities in regions like the Inland Empire. The Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metro area is the 14th most dangerous metropolitan area in the United States for pedestrians. The announcement follows the conclusion of National Pedestrian Safety Month (October … Continue Reading
November 01, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Statement on Commerce Department’s 90-Day Freeze on Firearms Exports
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today issued the following statement after the Department of Commerce announced on Friday a suspension of most exports of?? U.S.-made firearms, related components, and ammunition for non-government civilians for 90 days: "Protecting our national security and ensuring deadly weapons do not end up in the wrong hands remains one of my top priorities in Congress. Since our nation’s firearm export process was wrongfully altered during the … Continue Reading
October 31, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Statement on State Department Actions Regarding Anti-Democratic Actors in Guatemala
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the below statement in response to the Department of State’s actions to impose additional visa restrictions on those undermining the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala: “The Guatemalan people have spoken, and their votes must be respected. The United States unequivocally stands with those fighting for democracy in Guatemala, and I am pleased the Biden Administration heeded my call to impose additional restrictions on … Continue Reading
October 30, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Leads Colleagues in Calling for Targeted Sanctions Against Those Undermining Democracy in Guatemala
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) led a letter today with her colleagues to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, urging them to use all available tools - including targeted financial sanctions - to support democracy and the rule of law in Guatemala. Their letter comes amidst rising concerns that Guatemalan election workers will come under attack by the Guatemalan Attorney General and others in November when their legal protections … Continue Reading
October 27, 2023
Torres, House Democracy Partnership Send Bipartisan Letter on Efforts to Undermine Democracy in Guatemala
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) sent a bipartisan letter with the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) today to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urging the administration to support a peaceful transition of power in Guatemala and speak out against efforts to undermine the integrity of the results of Guatemala’s presidential election. The letter precedes the conclusion of Guatemala’s election period on October 31st. Congresswoman Torres and the lawmakers write, … Continue Reading
October 25, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Statement on Election of GOP Extremist Mike Johnson as Speaker
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today released the following statement after House Republicans elected Mike Johnson - one of their most extreme, far-right Members - to be the next Speaker of the House: “Mike Johnson is anti-democratic, anti-family, and anti-American. After 22 days without a Speaker of the House, it is a disgrace that House Republicans chose to elect an extremist as Speaker, rather than pursue a bipartisan path forward for the American people. “An … Continue Reading
October 06, 2023
Readout of Congresswoman Norma Torres’ Meeting with Guatemalan President-Elect 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, the only Member of Congress to be born in Central America, and chair of the bipartisan Central America Caucus - met with Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arévalo to discuss the Guatemalan government’s continued interference in the peaceful transfer of power. President-elect Arévalo shared his concerns about growing efforts … Continue Reading
October 06, 2023
ICYMI: Congresswoman Torres & Congressman Fleischmann Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize October 6, 2023 as Manufacturing Day
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) announced the introduction of a bipartisan resolution to recognize the first Friday of October as Manufacturing Day. The day - which falls on October 6th this year - recognizes the importance of manufacturing to the United States and regions like the Inland Empire. According to recent data, manufacturers contribute $2.79 trillion to the U.S. economy and employ nearly 13 million people across the … Continue Reading
October 02, 2023
Reps. Torres, Bonamici, Davids, & DelBene and Sens. Heinrich & Luján Lead Bicameral Bill to Commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Washington, D.C. — Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Sharice Davids (KS-03), and Suzan DelBene (WA-01), along with Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), announced the reintroduction of the bicameral Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act to replace Columbus Day as a federal holiday and designate the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. “Our country has long failed to recognize and acknowledge its dark history of erasure and harm … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
Congresswoman Torres & Congressman Fleischmann Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize October 6, 2023 as Manufacturing Day
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) today announced the introduction of a bipartisan resolution to recognize the first Friday of October as Manufacturing Day. The day - which falls on October 6th this year - recognizes the importance of manufacturing to the United States and regions like the Inland Empire. According to recent data, manufacturers contribute $2.79 trillion to the U.S. economy and employ nearly 13 million people … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Statement on Passing of Senator Feinstein
Pomona, CA — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement on the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein: “California and the world have lost a trailblazer, and I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein who served with grace, dignity, and resolve. Her legacy will serve as a role model for many of us in public office for generations to come. “Senator Feinstein fought for every corner of the state, and her legacy in the Inland Empire … Continue Reading