Press Releases
Congresswoman Torres Warns FY27 Transportation and Housing Funding Bill Falls Short for Inland Empire’s Working Families
Washington, D.C. - This week, Congresswoman Norma Torres criticized proposed Republican cuts in the Fiscal Year 2027 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations funding bill during a House Appropriations Subcommittee markup, where she is the most senior Californian. Torres warned the legislation would worsen the housing crisis and raise costs for working families across the Inland Empire. “The Inland Empire is powered by hardworking warehouse … Continue Reading
May 21, 2026
Subcommittee on Modernization and Innovation Receives Funding for House Digital Signage and Wayfinding Initiative
Washington D.C. — Today, Ranking Member Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Subcommittee on Modernization and Innovation Chairwoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05) announced that Modernization Initiatives Account (MIA) funding for a House Digital Signage and Wayfinding Initiative has been approved. The Initiative is a first-of-its-kind effort to improve and modernize the visitor experience by making it significantly easier for constituents to navigate the House office buildings and view Congress in-action. … Continue Reading
May 20, 2026
Rep. Torres Amendment Strengthening Workplace Misconduct Training Requirements Passes Committee
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today fought for greater accountability in the House of Representatives to prevent sexual harassment and workplace misconduct. Torres successfully added an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2027 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill requiring Members of Congress with publicly disclosed House Ethics Committee investigations against them to complete all workplace misconduct trainings in person as opposed to online. The successful amendment was … Continue Reading
May 20, 2026
Torres Fights Against Taxpayer-Funded Perks for Narco- and Child- Traffickers in New Appropriations Amendment
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, introduced an amendment in response to the outrageous perks provided to convicted narcotrafficker Juan Orlando Hernández after he was pardoned by Donald Trump, taking steps to ensure taxpayer dollars are not used to provide special treatment to convicted criminals. Offered during the markup of the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations bill, the Torres … Continue Reading
May 18, 2026
Housing, Infrastructure, and Transportation Working Group Chair Norma Torres on Updated Housing for the 21st Century Act
Washington, D.C. — Today, New Democrat Coalition Housing, Infrastructure, and Transportation Working Group Chair Norma Torres (CA-35) issued a statement in support of the bipartisan agreement to pass an improved version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. As laid out in the New Democrat Coalition’s Housing Affordability Agenda, New Dems are committed to building more homes and getting them on the market fast, making it easier to buy or rent a home, and improving housing data and … Continue Reading
May 13, 2026
Congresswoman Torres Presses HUD Secretary and Trump Administration for Delaying LA Wildfire Disaster Aid
Washington, D.C - This week, during a House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing with Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner, Congresswoman Norma Torres demanded answers on why the Trump Administration has failed to request disaster recovery funding for communities devastated by the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, the first step in order for supplemental disaster funding aid to reach families, businesses, and local governments. More than 100,000 Californians were displaced … Continue Reading
May 12, 2026
Congresswoman Torres Helps Lead Bipartisan CrackDown on Organized Retail Crime to Lower Local Costs
Washington, D.C - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), a co-sponsor of H.R. 2853, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025, celebrated the passage of bipartisan legislation to strengthen federal efforts against organized retail theft, cargo theft, and supply chain crime. The bill expands federal enforcement tools to target criminal organizations involved in large-scale theft operations, strengthens money laundering penalties tied to organized retail crime, and improves … Continue Reading
May 07, 2026
Congresswoman Torres Introduces Resolution to Designate May 3-9, 2026 as National Wildfire Preparedness Week
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), alongside 28 House members, introduced a resolution to designate May 3 through May 9, 2026 as National Wildfire Preparedness Week. The resolution raises awareness of fire safety and prevention while encouraging individuals, families, and communities to take proactive steps to reduce risks and safeguard properties. "Wildfires are one of the most dangerous natural disasters facing our nation, and after seeing thousands of … Continue Reading
April 30, 2026
Torres Sounds Alarm on GOP Cutting WIC Funding that Helps Feed Mothers, Infants, and Children
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) during the House Appropriations Subcommittee markup of the Fiscal Year 2027 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies funding bill, spoke out against harmful cuts that would take food off the tables of women, children, and working families. Rep. Torres voted against the bill. The Republican proposal cuts $200 million from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and … Continue Reading
April 28, 2026
Rep. Torres Cracks Down on Child Traffickers and Corrupt Diplomacy in National Security Funding Bill Amendments
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS), announced two critical amendments during the National Security Full Committee markup aimed at strengthening accountability and protecting vulnerable populations. The amendments take direct aim at child trafficking and self-dealing diplomatic actors, ensuring U.S. taxpayer dollars are never used to shield abusers or fund … Continue Reading
April 27, 2026
Tri-Caucus Leads More Than 60 Democrats in Demand to Preserve Housing Assistance for Mixed-status Families
Washington, D.C. — The Congressional Tri-Caucus, composed of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), condemned the Trump administration's illegal push to gut housing assistance for thousands of families with mixed immigration statuses. In a letter to Housing Secretary Scott Turner co-signed by more than 75 members of the House of Representatives, Rep. Norma Torres (CA-35) joined CAPAC Chair Rep. … Continue Reading
April 23, 2026
Torres Slams House GOP for Protecting Predatory Surveillance Pricing and Price-Gouging Over Working Families
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, introduced an amendment in the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill aimed at protecting American families from predatory surveillance pricing and price gouging algorithms. The amendment would have directed the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate how retailers use digital price tags (also known as electronic shelf labels), digital tools, … Continue Reading
April 23, 2026
Rep. Norma Torres Opposes NSRP Bill, Citing “Dangerous Retreat” from Anti-Corruption and Regional Security Efforts
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (CA-35), a senior member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) and Co-Chair of the Central America Caucus, announced she will vote NO on the fiscal year 2027 SFOPS funding bill as currently written. As the only Member of Congress born in Central America, Torres is a recognized expert on the Northern Triangle and a leading advocate for the rule of law. In her … Continue Reading
April 22, 2026
Congresswoman Torres Condemns ICE for Leaving Released Detainee Without Support, Calls for Basic Human Dignity
Washington, D.C - Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement after Maykel Andree Fonseca Cabrera was released from the Adelanto Detention Center by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and left without assistance to reach his family in South Carolina from California: “After more than a year and a half in detention, Maykel Andrew Fonseca Cabrera was released by ICE Adelanto with no plan, no support, and no safe way to get home. ICE didn’t just release him, they … Continue Reading
April 22, 2026
Rep. Norma Torres Fights to Keep January 6 Rioters Off Federal Payroll
Washington, D.C - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, introduced an amendment to the FY27 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations bill to block the federal government from hiring individuals pardoned for their roles in the January 6 insurrection. The amendment would ensure that no taxpayer dollars are used to hire or pay individuals covered under presidential pardons tied to January 6 or efforts to overturn the … Continue Reading
April 21, 2026
Republicans Kill Torres Amendment, But Admit There is a Problem
Washington, D.C - Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, introduced an amendment to the FY27 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill aimed at ensuring non-citizen veterans are not deported without access to legal counsel and a fair hearing. The amendment would have prohibited federal funds from being used to deport a veteran unless they are first provided legal representation and due process in immigration court, and it … Continue Reading
April 17, 2026
Congress Recognizes the Lifesaving Work of 9-1-1 Professionals During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
Washington, D.C - This week, Representatives Norma Torres and Brian Fitzpatrick, and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Ted Budd join with our colleagues in Congress in celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 13-19, 2026, honoring the dedicated 9-1-1 professionals across the country whose calm voices and quick actions help protect and save lives every day. Last year, we introduced bipartisan resolutions in the House of Representatives and the Senate supporting the goals and … Continue Reading
April 16, 2026
Congresswoman Torres Votes No on FISA Reauthorization
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) voted against reauthorizing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), warning that current law allows the government to collect and search Americans’ communications without a warrant. “I will not support expanding surveillance powers without real safeguards to prevent abuse by the Trump Administration. If Congress won’t enforce constitutional limits, we’re not strengthening security, we’re eroding the very freedoms we claim to … Continue Reading
April 13, 2026
Torres Statement on DOD Inspector General Findings Confirming Unsafe Conditions for National Guard Troops Deployed to Los Angeles
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres released the following statement after receiving a response from the Department of Defense Inspector General substantiating whistleblower complaints regarding unsafe conditions for National Guard troops and Marines deployed to Los Angeles in 2025: “Last year, I raised serious concerns after hearing directly from whistleblowers about unacceptable conditions facing our service members deployed to Los Angeles, including reports of unsafe food, lack … Continue Reading
March 31, 2026
Rep. Torres Celebrates $1,031,000 for Autism Society Inland Empire Law Enforcement Training Initiative
Corona, CA - Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) joined the Autism Society Inland Empire today at the Circle City Community Center to celebrate $1,031,000 in federal Community Project Funding to support specialized law enforcement training across the Inland Empire. As a Member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, Torres obtained this funding as part of the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process. The funding will provide critical training and resources for law enforcement agencies in … Continue Reading