Press Releases
Congresswoman Torres Secures Pedestrian Safety Initiatives in FY2024 Government Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, applauds the passage of the government funding bill, which includes resources to facilitate pedestrian safety nationwide. The FY2024 Appropriations Package includes language from Congresswoman Torres’ Pedestrian Hazard, Awareness and Safety Expansion (PHASE) Act, which she introduced in October during “Pedestrian Safety Month”, to address rising pedestrian accidents and fatalities … Continue Reading
March 06, 2024
Congresswoman Norma Torres Announces 9-1-1 Dispatcher as her Guest at the State of the Union
Washington, D.C. — Representative Norma Torres (CA-35) - the first former 9-1-1 dispatcher to serve in Congress - will be joined by Richard Montoya Jr., a 9-1-1 Dispatcher and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Union Member, as her guest to President Biden’s State of the Union Address to Congress on Thursday, March 7. Rickk Montoya has been part of AFSCME for 20 years, where he is dedicated to improving workers’ rights to fair wages, supply chain … Continue Reading
March 06, 2024
Congresswoman Norma Torres Announces 9-1-1 Dispatcher as her Guest at the State of the Union
Washington, D.C. — Representative Norma Torres (CA-35) - the first former 9-1-1 dispatcher to serve in Congress - will be joined by Richard Montoya Jr., a 9-1-1 Dispatcher and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Union Member, as her guest to President Biden’s State of the Union Address to Congress on Thursday, March 7. Rickk Montoya has been part of AFSCME for 20 years, where he is dedicated to improving workers’ rights to fair wages, supply chain … Continue Reading
February 09, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Fights for Recognition and Empowerment of America’s 9-1-1 Dispatchers in Harvard Journal on Legislation
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a former 9-1-1 dispatcher for over 17 years - today highlighted her policy essay on the unsung heroes of America’s first responder workforce: 9-1-1 dispatchers. In the latest volume of the Harvard Law School Journal of Legislation, Congresswoman Torres emphasizes the critical work dispatchers provide to the American public and the need for improved workplace conditions. In her essay, titled: “Occupational Reclassification for Public … Continue Reading
February 09, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Fights for Recognition and Empowerment of America’s 9-1-1 Dispatchers in Harvard Journal on Legislation
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a former 9-1-1 dispatcher for over 17 years - today highlighted her policy essay on the unsung heroes of America’s first responder workforce: 9-1-1 dispatchers. In the latest volume of the Harvard Law School Journal of Legislation, Congresswoman Torres emphasizes the critical work dispatchers provide to the American public and the need for improved workplace conditions. In her essay, titled: “Occupational Reclassification for Public … Continue Reading
February 06, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Statement on Rescheduling of Guatemalan Journalist José Rubén Zamora’s Trial
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations - issued the following statement after well-respected, Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora - imprisoned for over 550 days - had the opening hearing in his trial rescheduled until February 20th: “There cannot truly be democracy without a free press. José Rubén Zamora remains wrongfully imprisoned for simply doing his job as a journalist and … Continue Reading
February 06, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Statement on Rescheduling of Guatemalan Journalist José Rubén Zamora’s Trial
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations - issued the following statement after well-respected, Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora - imprisoned for over 550 days - had the opening hearing in his trial rescheduled until February 20th: “There cannot truly be democracy without a free press. José Rubén Zamora remains wrongfully imprisoned for simply doing his job as a journalist and … Continue Reading
February 01, 2024
Congresswoman Torres & Congressman McGovern Lead House Introduction of Bicameral Bill to Protect Human Rights Defenders Worldwide
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Congressman James P. McGovern (MA-02) today announced the introduction of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act of 2024—cosponsored by Representatives Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), and Jason Crow (CO-06). This bicameral legislation enhances the United States’ ability to protect individuals abroad who are attacked for peacefully defending human rights and democracy. The legislation will bolster the U.S. Government’s … Continue Reading
February 01, 2024
Congresswoman Torres & Congressman McGovern Lead House Introduction of Bicameral Bill to Protect Human Rights Defenders Worldwide
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Congressman James P. McGovern (MA-02) today announced the introduction of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act of 2024—cosponsored by Representatives Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), and Jason Crow (CO-06). This bicameral legislation enhances the United States’ ability to protect individuals abroad who are attacked for peacefully defending human rights and democracy. The legislation will bolster the U.S. Government’s … Continue Reading
January 31, 2024
Congresswoman Torres & Senator Padilla Introduce Bicameral Bill to Improve Voter Registration at Naturalization Ceremonies
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Chair of the New Americans Caucus, & U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), a member of the Senate Rules Committee and California’s former Secretary of State, introduced bicameral legislation to improve voter registration efforts at naturalization ceremonies. The Including New Voters In The Electorate (INVITE) Act would designate United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field offices as voter registration agencies under … Continue Reading
January 31, 2024
Congresswoman Torres & Senator Padilla Introduce Bicameral Bill to Improve Voter Registration at Naturalization Ceremonies
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Chair of the New Americans Caucus, & U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), a member of the Senate Rules Committee and California’s former Secretary of State, introduced bicameral legislation to improve voter registration efforts at naturalization ceremonies. The Including New Voters In The Electorate (INVITE) Act would designate United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field offices as voter registration agencies under … Continue Reading
January 30, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Celebrates Fontana Project Receiving $3.5M Grant from Inflation Reduction Act to Boost Domestic Biofuel Production
Fontana, CA — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced today Tristar FLC, Incorporated received a $3.5 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for the Muscat Tank Farm biofuel project in Fontana. The project will create the necessary infrastructure - including the receiving, storage and distribution of biofuels - to provide cleaner, more affordable fuel options for Californians. This competitive grant … Continue Reading
January 30, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Celebrates Fontana Project Receiving $3.5M Grant from Inflation Reduction Act to Boost Domestic Biofuel Production
Fontana, CA — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced today Tristar FLC, Incorporated received a $3.5 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for the Muscat Tank Farm biofuel project in Fontana. The project will create the necessary infrastructure - including the receiving, storage and distribution of biofuels - to provide cleaner, more affordable fuel options for Californians. This competitive grant … Continue Reading
January 25, 2024
Torres Leads California Colleagues in Urging Treasury Department to Ensure the Inland Empire Can Fully Benefit from Inflation Reduction Act’s Clean Energy Provisions
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee - led her Inland Empire colleagues in sending a letter today to the U.S. Department of Treasury regarding the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, our nation’s largest investment ever to tackle climate change. The lawmakers urged the agency to ensure the Inland Empire can fully leverage the clean energy benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act and its Energy Community Tax … Continue Reading
January 25, 2024
Torres Leads California Colleagues in Urging Treasury Department to Ensure the Inland Empire Can Fully Benefit from Inflation Reduction Act’s Clean Energy Provisions
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee - led her Inland Empire colleagues in sending a letter today to the U.S. Department of Treasury regarding the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, our nation’s largest investment ever to tackle climate change. The lawmakers urged the agency to ensure the Inland Empire can fully leverage the clean energy benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act and its Energy Community Tax … Continue Reading
January 24, 2024
Torres, Warren, Durbin, Castro to Commerce Department: Prevent Gun Violence Abroad by Strengthening Firearm Export Controls
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) & Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee -- along with U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere -- sent a letter to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, calling on the Department of Commerce (Commerce) to incorporate a set of recommendations from the lawmakers to … Continue Reading
January 15, 2024
U.S. Congresswoman Norma Torres Joins Presidential Delegation for Inauguration of Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) joined a United States Presidential Delegation to Guatemala City, Guatemala for the inauguration of President Bernardo Arévalo. Following the inauguration, Congresswoman Torres released this statement: “Today is a triumph for democracy and the peaceful transfer of power. Free and fair elections are the bedrock of a healthy democratic society, and the Guatemalan people made their voices heard, despite the efforts of the corrupt … Continue Reading
January 11, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Joins Reps. Clarke & Fitzpatrick and Sens. Welch, Vance, Rosen, & Cramer to Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Protect Affordable Internet Access
Washington, D.C. — Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), along with Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced the introduction of the bicameral, bipartisan Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act. This legislation provides $7 billion for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), providing affordable high-speed internet options to qualifying households across the U.S. … Continue Reading
January 10, 2024
Southern California Congresswoman Torres Presses Boeing for Answers on Safety of 737 Max Following Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Incident
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a senior Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development - sent a letter today to Boeing over continued safety concerns with the Boeing 737 Max following the midair door blowout on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. Congresswoman Torres represents the congressional district that includes Ontario International Airport (ONT) - the final destination of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. Earlier this … Continue Reading
January 08, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Selects Winners of 2023 Congressional App Competition for California’s 35th District
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced today the winners of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge for CA-35: siblings Alex and Melissa Lee of Pomona. This annual computer science competition, hosted by the U.S. House of Representatives, is open to all middle and high school students to encourage innovation in coding and inspire American youth to pursue careers in STEM fields. This year, Congresswoman Torres’ office received a record 67 submissions to the … Continue Reading