Press Releases
Torres and Newhouse Write to Justice Department Requesting Update on Savanna’s Act Implementation
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma Torres and Congressman Dan Newhouse sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting an update on the implementation of Savanna’s Act, legislation passed in 2020 to address the disproportionately high number of missing or murdered Native American women by requiring the Department of Justice to implement additional law enforcement protocols for investigating such cases. Savanna's Act, introduced by Congresswoman Torres, Congressman Newhouse, … Continue Reading
April 09, 2024
Congresswoman Torres and Congressman Valadao Introduce Bipartisan, “Removing Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act”
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres and Congressman David Valadao - members of the House Appropriations Committee - announced the introduction of the bipartisan Removing Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act. This bill would amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide grants for nitrate and arsenic reduction, by providing $15 million for FY25 and every fiscal year thereafter. The bill also directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take into consideration the … Continue Reading
March 28, 2024
Congresswoman Torres, Senator Padilla, Senator Butler, and Reps. Napolitano, Carbajal Secure Appropriations Provision to Support Cal Poly/Air Force Research Laboratory Partnership
Pomona, CA — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (CA-31), Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Senator Laphonza Butler (D-CA) applauded the inclusion of their provision to increase federal funding by an additional $5 million to support U.S. Air Force research on critical aerospace engineering needs . This year, the FY 2024 federal funding law (Public Law 118-47) appropriated $5 million for aerospace engineering systems security … Continue Reading
March 22, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Introduces Parents and Youth Helpline Act to Expand Resources for American Families
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres - a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee - introduced the National Parents and Youth Helpline Act. The bill would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out a new grant program, to establish a 24/7 helpline for parents and youth facing challenges with mental health, child welfare, substance abuse, parenting, and more. The funding would also bolster weekly, evidence-based mutual and emotional support … Continue Reading
March 22, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Introduces Parents and Youth Helpline Act to Expand Resources for American Families
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres - a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee - introduced the National Parents and Youth Helpline Act. The bill would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out a new grant program, to establish a 24/7 helpline for parents and youth facing challenges with mental health, child welfare, substance abuse, parenting, and more. The funding would also bolster weekly, evidence-based mutual and emotional support … Continue Reading
March 18, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Announces City of Fontana Receives $2 Million in Federal Grant to Improve Safety, Climate, and Mobility
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced today the delivery of $2 million in federal grant funding to the City of Fontana for the development of technological advancements to improve transportation safety and efficiency. The funding will be allocated to the Leveraging Advanced Adaptive Signal Timing for Freight to Improve Safety, Climate, and Mobility program to develop smart traffic signal technology. This … Continue Reading
March 18, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Announces City of Fontana Receives $2 Million in Federal Grant to Improve Safety, Climate, and Mobility
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced today the delivery of $2 million in federal grant funding to the City of Fontana for the development of technological advancements to improve transportation safety and efficiency. The funding will be allocated to the Leveraging Advanced Adaptive Signal Timing for Freight to Improve Safety, Climate, and Mobility program to develop smart traffic signal technology. This … Continue Reading
March 08, 2024
Statement from Congresswoman Torres on the Conviction of Juan Orlando Hernandez
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 Co-Chair of the Congressional Central American Caucus - issued the following statement following the conviction of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández: “The people of Honduras deserve justice and a country free of corrupt, authoritarian cheats like Juan Orlando Hernández - a failed strongman whose ascent to … Continue Reading
March 08, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Applauds Bipartisan Appropriations Package to Fund the Government for 2024
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee - announced the passage of the six-bill appropriations package in the House of Representatives to fund federal initiatives related to transportation, housing, the environment, agriculture, veterans affairs, and more. After its passage in the House of Representatives, the legislation will go to the Senate, and then to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “As an appropriator, … Continue Reading
March 08, 2024
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 08, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Secures over $14.7 Million for Local Projects in Fiscal Year 2024 Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced that she secured 14 proposed community projects, which would bring over $14.7 million directly to California's 35th Congressional District. “As a former mayor and state representative, I know how important it is to cut through red tape and actually deliver results - that’s why as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to announce I secured over $14.7 million in direct project funding to keep the Inland … Continue Reading
March 08, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Applauds Bipartisan Appropriations Package to Fund the Government for 2024
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) - a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee - announced the passage of the six-bill appropriations package in the House of Representatives to fund federal initiatives related to transportation, housing, the environment, agriculture, veterans affairs, and more. After its passage in the House of Representatives, the legislation will go to the Senate, and then to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “As an appropriator, it … Continue Reading
March 08, 2024
Statement from Congresswoman Torres on the Conviction of Juan Orlando Hernandez
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 Co-Chair of the Congressional Central American Caucus - issued the following statement following the conviction of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández: “The people of Honduras deserve justice and a country free of corrupt, authoritarian cheats like Juan Orlando Hernández - a failed strongman whose ascent to … Continue Reading
March 08, 2024
Congresswoman Torres Secures over $14.7 Million for Local Projects in Fiscal Year 2024 Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced that she secured 14 proposed community projects, which would bring over $14.7 million directly to California's 35th Congressional District. “As a former mayor and state representative, I know how important it is to cut through red tape and actually deliver results - that’s why as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to announce I secured over $14.7 million in direct project funding to keep the Inland … Continue Reading
March 08, 2024
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