Press Releases
Congresswoman Torres Secures $172.5 Million for Local Projects in Water Resource Development Act
Washington D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) announced that she had secured numerous wins for communities in the 35th Congressional district in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026. The bill, which recently passed the House of Representatives, includes $172.5 million in new and increased authorizations for Inland Empire water infrastructure in the 35th Congressional District. The legislation prioritizes federal assistance for local priorities submitted by Torres to … Continue Reading
October 22, 2026
Congresswoman Torres Introduces the Streamlining Affordable Housing Act To Lower Costs and Build Homes Faster
Washington D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres introduced the Streamlining Affordable Housing Act, legislation to help states simplify affordable housing financing so projects can move forward faster and at lower cost. The bill would provide federal grants to help states consolidate their financing programs and establish one-stop shops where builders can access state funding through a single, universal application process. Affordable housing developers must often stitch together funding … Continue Reading
October 15, 2026
Representatives Torres and Fleischmann Lead Bipartisan Bill to Build America’s Advanced Manufacturing Workforce
Washington, D.C. - Today, during National Manufacturing Month, Representatives Norma Torres (CA-35) and Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) introduced the bipartisan Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in America Act of 2026, legislation to help workers train for and connect with advanced manufacturing careers. The legislation, which was inspired by the successful public-private partnership that created the InTech Center at Chaffey College in Fontana, would direct the Department of Labor to initiate pilot … Continue Reading
October 08, 2026
Rep. Torres Introduces the Improving Access to WIC Act to Ease Access to Nutrition Support for Moms and Children
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) introduced the Improving Access to WIC Act, legislation to make it easier to enroll in and stay connected to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). As families struggle with the ongoing affordability crisis, WIC helps feed mothers from the moment they find out they are pregnant to when their children are five years old. WIC not only helps moms access free, healthy foods, but also helps with … Continue Reading
October 05, 2026
Rep. Norma Torres Secures $25 Million For State Route -71 Gap Closure Project in Pomona
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees all federal transportation funding, announced that the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) will receive $25 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for Phase 2 of the State Route 71 (SR-71) Gap Closure Project in Pomona. The funding, awarded through the DOT’s Fiscal Year 2026 Nationally Significant … Continue Reading
October 01, 2026
Representatives Torres and Fleischmann Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Celebrate National Manufacturing Day and Honor America’s Manufacturers and Workers
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Norma Torres (CA-35) and Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) introduce a bipartisan resolution recognizing October 2, 2026, the first Friday of October, as National Manufacturing Day. The resolution celebrates the important role American manufacturing plays in strengthening the economy, driving innovation, supporting supply chains, and creating good-paying, family-sustaining jobs in communities across the country. “Supporting the Manufacturing industry is … Continue Reading
September 29, 2026
Congresswoman Torres Calls for Immediate Action After California is Left Out of Federal Manufacturing Funding for Second Year in a Row
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), a member of the House Appropriations Committee and longtime advocate for manufacturing jobs in the Inland Empire, called on the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to immediately restore California’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center after the state was left without federal MEP funding for the second year in a row. MEP centers play a critical role in helping manufacturers … Continue Reading
September 24, 2026
Congresswoman Torres and Senator Padilla Introduce BASIC Act to Ensure No Student Has to Choose Between College and Basic Needs
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla reintroduced the Basic Assistance for Students In College (BASIC) Act, legislation to help community colleges and four-year institutions address the unmet basic needs of their students by establishing a $1 billion competitive grant program to better connect students with the resources they need to stay in school and complete their degrees. Amidst the ongoing affordability crisis, college students across America … Continue Reading
September 21, 2026
Congresswoman Torres Joins Democratic Women’s Caucus Members in Calling Out HHS Secretary For Proposed Plan to Gut Head Start
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) joined Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), DWC Whip Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), DWC Senate Liaison and Caregiving Task Force Co-Chair Debbie Dingell (MI-06), and Caregiving Task Force Co-Chairs Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) & Lateefah Simon (CA-12) in sending a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) demanding HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. withdraw their proposed rule to gut 90% of Head Start Program … Continue Reading
September 15, 2026
Torres Encourages FAA for More Federal Investment at Ontario International Airport, Support for Aviation Workers.
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD), encouraged Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford during a hearing to support the Ontario International Airport (ONT), provide its air traffic controllers with the pay and resources they need, and stood up for California’s labor laws requiring rest and meal breaks for the … Continue Reading
September 10, 2026
Representatives Torres and Rutherford Secure First Federal Recognition of Blue Envelope Programs in House Appropriations Report
Washington, D.C. - Representatives Norma Torres (CA-35) and John Rutherford (FL-05), both members of the House Appropriations Committee that oversees government spending, celebrated the inclusion of a provision in the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Report recognizing Blue Envelope Programs as an eligible use of Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funding and to highlight these programs nationwide. The report was reported out of the … Continue Reading
September 09, 2026
New Dems Host Stakeholder Roundtable to Address the Affordable Housing Crisis
Washington D.C. - New Dem Members hosted a roundtable with housing policy experts and industry representatives to solicit ideas on what Congress’s next steps should be to address the affordable housing crisis. New Dem Housing, Infrastructure, & Transportation Working Group Chair Norma Torres (CA-35), New Dem Vice Chair for Outreach Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Housing Task Force Chair Emilia Sykes (OH-13) hosted the roundtable. They were joined by 14 additional New Dem Members and eight … Continue Reading
September 08, 2026
Rep. Torres Calls For Expanded State Oversight of Adelanto ICE Facility Following Court Injunction and Reports of Gross Violations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (CA-35) called on California Attorney General Rob Bonta and California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) Secretary Kim Johnson to expand state inspections and oversight of the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, building on congressional oversight efforts into reported health and safety violations at the facility. “For months, I have been demanding answers about conditions at Adelanto, and the federal government has continued to … Continue Reading
September 07, 2026
Congresswoman Torres Introduces the Better Pay for American Workers Act to Raise the Minimum Wage
Washington D.C. - Today, on Labor Day, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) introduced the Better Pay for American Workers Act, legislation to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $20 per hour by 2029 and ensure wages keep pace with the broader economy. The federal minimum wage has remained at just $7.25 per hour since 2009, even as families face rising costs for housing, groceries, health care, utilities, and other necessities. Since 2009, grocery costs have skyrocketed by 60% … Continue Reading
August 31, 2026
Rep. Torres Joins Gray and Lofgren in Pressing The Trump Administration to Release $867 Million in Withheld Medicaid Funding
Washington D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) joined Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13), California Democratic Congressional Delegation Chair Zoe Lofgren (CA-18),and the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, along with Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz urging the agencies to work … Continue Reading
August 17, 2026
Congresswoman Torres Leads Resolution Celebrating Warehouse Worker Recognition Week
Ontario, CA - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) introduced a resolution designating August 17-21, 2026, as Warehouse Worker Recognition Week, honoring the workers in the logistics industry whose labor keeps goods moving, businesses operating, and communities supplied across the country. The Inland Empire is one of the nation’s most important logistics hubs, with goods arriving through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach moving through warehouses and distribution centers across San … Continue Reading
August 04, 2026
Representatives Torres and Fitzpatrick Reintroduce Bipartisan Resolution Celebrating National Night Out
Washington D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) reintroduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing August 4, 2026, as this year's National Night Out, the annual nationwide event celebrated on the first Tuesday of August that brings together neighbors, law enforcement, firefighters, emergency dispatchers, and first responders to strengthen community partnerships and promote safer neighborhoods. For decades, National Night Out has helped build … Continue Reading
July 30, 2026
Congresswoman Torres Introduces Bribery Accountability and Discovery “BAD Act” to Crack Down on Public Corruption and Close Federal Bribery Loophole
Washington D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), a member of the Anti-Corruption Caucus, introduced the Bribery Accountability and Discovery (BAD) Act, legislation to close a dangerous loophole in federal law that allows bribery schemes to evade prosecution simply because they remained hidden long enough. The BAD Act would ensure that the statute of limitations for federal bribery offenses does not begin until the crime is discovered or is reported to federal law enforcement, … Continue Reading
July 28, 2026
Congresswoman Torres Statement on FBI Raids in San Bernardino County
Ontario, CA - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement: "I am deeply troubled by reports that the FBI has executed warrants against elected officials in San Bernardino County. I am awaiting further information, but our community has zero tolerance for corruption at any level of our government, from the President down to the City … Continue Reading
July 27, 2026
Torres and Fitzpatrick Lead Bipartisan Effort Urging OMB to Finally Recognize 9-1-1 Dispatchers as Protective Service Professionals
Washington D.C. - Today, Representatives Norma Torres (D-CA-35) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), led a bipartisan letter urging Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought to reclassify public safety telecommunicators under the Protective Service Occupations category in the 2028 update to the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. Torres is a former 9-1-1 dispatcher with the Los Angeles Police Department, while Fitzpatrick is a former FBI agent and EMT. For … Continue Reading