Norma Torres

WIC provides 7 million mothers, infants, and young children with healthy food, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support. But more than 4 in 10 eligible families aren’t enrolled. I introduced the Improving Access to WIC Act to cut unnecessary red tape, streamline enrollment, and help healthcare providers connect families with the resources they need. Getting families support shouldn’t be complicated. Let’s make it easier.

This is voter suppression, plain and simple. More than 500,000 Californians have already voted, yet Trump’s DOJ is threatening to put ballots at risk for inaccurate, unproven claims about non-citizens. This raises serious legal questions and threatens eligible Americans’ fundamental right to vote. Our elections belong to the people, not Trump.

Racist conspiracy theories have no place in federal law enforcement, and they should never be used to justify targeting a sitting Member of Congress. These conspiracy theories were already proven false. This administration’s abuse of power to try and settle scores raises serious concerns about the weaponization of federal law enforcement to target those who disagree with it.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Day, we honor the lives lost, celebrate the survivors, and stand strong with everyone continuing their fight. No one should go through this journey without the care and support they deserve. As your Congresswoman, I am committed to expanding resources for patients and survivors from day one.

Your vote powers our community!Vote-by-mail ballots are on their way to active registered voters. Don't wait until the last minute: open your ballot, fill it out, and send it back using any official voting option. Need to confirm your voter details? Go to https://t.co/gyxtTbLCrh. https://t.co/Fz9P3U3vZl

Trump caused the diesel crisis driving up costs for truckers, farmers, and families across America. Now, he’s taking a desperate shortcut, lifting pressure on Putin to buy Russian oil. Funding a brutal foreign war to clean up his own domestic policy failure puts our entire nation at risk. American families deserve real leadership, not Kremlin lifelines.

TRUMP LIED: Nearly 15,000 deported from SoCal, most with zero criminal convictions. Trump claims he’s targeting criminals. Instead, he’s tearing families apart, gutting our workforce, and hurting local economies. Political cruelty isn’t leadership. It’s self-sabotage. https://t.co/gC5dQeQGBe

Excited to celebrate the groundbreaking of Pomona College’s new Center for Global Engagement! Opening in Fall 2028, the Center will house 200 students and create new opportunities for global learning, cultural exchange, and community engagement. Congratulations to Pomona College on this exciting milestone!

Join us for a Plática to learn about your voting rights, what to expect at your polling place, and how to make sure your voice is heard this election season. Your voice matters. Your vote matters. Know your rights before you head to the polls! https://t.co/TeVCqczajR

Being undocumented does not mean you lose your rights. And it certainly does not give federal agents a free pass to use force without answering for it. A 5-year-old child was in that car. Instead of explaining what happened, DHS is attacking the victim’s character to justify its agents’ actions. That is not accountability. That is a cover-up for a lack of accountability. The American people deserve answers, not excuses.

We were proud to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Children’s Festival with the Vietnamese Community of Pomona Valley! The evening was a beautiful celebration of Vietnamese culture, community, and tradition. Thank you to everyone who came together to make this celebration so special. https://t.co/vGCJftS5Ir

I introduced the Improving Access to WIC Act to help more moms and young children get the nutrition support they qualify for. My bill would help states cut unnecessary paperwork and appointments, make it easier for doctors to connect patients with WIC, and identify eligible families already enrolled in Medicaid or SNAP. Families shouldn’t have to navigate a maze to get the support they already qualify for.

I introduced the Improving Access to WIC Act to help more moms and young children get the nutrition support they qualify for. My bill would help states cut unnecessary paperwork and appointments, make it easier for doctors to connect patients with WIC, and identify eligible families already enrolled in Medicaid or SNAP. Families shouldn’t have to navigate a maze to get the support they already qualify for.

With More Than 4 in 10 WIC-eligible families Not Enrolled, Legislation Closes Gap by Helping States Strengthen Partnerships with Healthcare Providers, Lower Barriers to Participation, and Boost Outreach Efforts 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 breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and health resources. Nearly 25,000 mothers, infants, and children benefit from WIC in California’s 35th Congressional District. Nationwide, in fiscal year 2025, WIC served 6.9 million participants every month. The program is proven to save lives and improve lifetime health outcomes. Despite this, the most recent data show that more than 4 in 10 eligible individuals do not participate in WIC, and WIC utilization is lower for pregnant mothers and 1- to 4-year-olds. This legislation will tackle this participation gap. The Improving Access to WIC Act would establish a federal grant program for states, tribes, and territories to improve access to, participation in, and retention in WIC. States that opt into the program would receive flexible funding to help strengthen partnerships between WIC agencies and healthcare providers, modernize the enrollment experience, improve community outreach, and help enroll mothers and children on SNAP and Medicaid who already qualify for WIC but do not yet participate. “WIC provides critical nutrition assistance to moms, babies, and young children, and getting enrolled should not mean jumping through unnecessary hoops,” said Congresswoman Torres. “Moms are already juggling doctor’s appointments, work, child care, and countless responsibilities. We should be making it easier, not harder, for eligible families to access the support they need. My Improving Access to WIC Act will help states integrate WIC enrollment with healthcare providers, reduce duplicative appointments and paperwork, and make it easier for families to enroll and stay on WIC.” “Despite the incredible public health benefits of WIC, we are still reaching only a little more than half of eligible families. Investing in targeted outreach, data sharing, and healthcare linkages will make it easier for families who qualify to connect with WIC. We thank Rep. Torres for her leadership and support for WIC.” Georgia Machell, President & CEO, National WIC Association “WIC is an evidence-based, time-limited program with proven positive outcomes for families and communities, yet there is a significant portion of eligible families not connected to services. Supporting innovative outreach methods and healthcare linkages to improve access to the program is an important investment. We appreciate Rep. Torres’s support for WIC and young families.” Megan Esparza, Executive Director, California WIC Association “The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is one of the most critical tools pediatricians have to ensure infants and young children can receive proper nutrition support in their earliest years. The Improving Access to WIC Act would provide states with resources to make enrolling eligible families in WIC easier, more efficient, and more effective. The American Academy of Pediatrics thanks Representative Torres for introducing this important legislation and calls on Congress to advance it,” said Andrew D. Racine, MD, PhD, FAAP, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists has a long history of supporting the WIC program and is proud to endorse the Improving Access to WIC Act,” said ACOG President Camille A. Clare, MD, MPH, CPE. “Families are facing growing financial pressure, and putting healthy food on the table can be especially difficult during pregnancy and after a baby is born. With significant changes to SNAP under H.R. 1, making WIC easier to access is more important than ever. This bill would help eligible families get the nutrition support they need instead of getting stuck in red tape. ACOG thanks Rep. Norma Torres for her leadership and commitment to strengthening the WIC program.” "WIC is a proven intervention that supports the health of women, babies, and young children. Yet far too many eligible families are missing out on the many benefits of the program. We applaud Rep. Torres for introducing the Improving Access to WIC Act. Establishing a federal grant program to help states improve access to and participation in WIC would make it easier for eligible families to connect with this critical support. We urge Members of Congress to co-sponsor this legislation, so more families are connected to the nutrition they need to thrive." - Crystal FitzSimons, President of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). The bill is supported by: National WIC Association (NWA), California WIC Association (CWA), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), Alliance to End Hunger, Coalition on Human Needs. Bill Summary: The Improving Access to WIC Act authorizes $50 million for Fiscal Years 2027 through 2031 for the grant program. States, tribes, and territories that choose to opt in would receive, to the maximum extent practicable, $200,000 and an additional amount based on each participating state’s national share of WIC participants. The bill also requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to publicly report on the program’s outcomes, including its impact on WIC participation and retention, and share best practices that states can use to improve enrollment and access. Under the legislation, participating states could use grant funding to: Connect more eligible families with WIC by: Improving outreach in clinical settings and building up systems to make it easier for doctors and health care providers to directly refer patients to WIC, including through statewide referral systems, and Expanding outreach in trusted community settings, including at Head Start and Early Head Start programs, preschools, schools, and other places to meet WIC-eligible families where they are. Improve secure data sharing between health care providers and WIC agencies to streamline WIC referrals and certification, while protecting privacy, requiring individual consent, and maintaining federal confidentiality protections. Reduce duplicative appointments and paperwork by making it easier for health care providers, consistent with applicable laws and with individuals’ consent, to securely provide WIC agencies with information such as height, weight, hemoglobin measurements (blood tests), and other documentation needed for WIC certification. Modernize the enrollment process, including by establishing or expanding online WIC applications. Help reach and enroll moms and children on Medicaid (Medi-Cal) or SNAP (CalFresh) who already qualify for WIC, but are not participating. Original Cosponsors: Nanette Barragán (CA-44); Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01); Yvette Clarke (NY-09 ); Jim Costa (CA-21); Jasmine Crockett (TX-30); Chris Deluzio (PA-17); Debbie Dingell (MI-06); Sylvia Garcia (TX-29); Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04); Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07); Glenn Ivey (MD-04); Pramila Jayapal (WA-07); Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37); Robin Kelly (IL-02); Tim Kennedy (NY-26); Kelly Morrison (MN-03); Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00); Chellie Pingree (ME-01); Lateefah Simon (CA-12); Melanie Stansbury (NM-01); Juan Vargas (CA-52); Bill text One Pager ###

Today, we remember the more than 1,200 lives taken in the October 7 terrorist attacks. We remember the families torn apart, the hostages who endured unimaginable suffering, and all those whose lives were forever changed. We must never forget the October 7 terrorist attack.

Los Angeles is home to 12.8 million people. San Diego is home to another 3.3 million. These are American communities, not bargaining chips. The President is talking about the destruction of two of California’s largest metropolitan areas as a “small price to pay.” That is not leadership. It is reckless and dangerous. This is the same President who asked Russia to interfere in our elections and, after voters rejected him, encouraged a violent mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol and injured police officers. Now he is talking about American cities and millions of Americans as expendable. When will Republicans in Congress finally stand up and put American lives first? What will it take?

Torres previously urged the Department of Transportation to support the project, which will reduce congestion, improve safety, and strengthen a critical freight corridor 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 Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects (INFRA) Grant Program, will help upgrade the existing four-lane expressway between Interstate 10 (I-10) and Mission Boulevard into an eight-lane freeway. The project will add one high-occupancy vehicle lane and one mixed-flow lane in each direction, construct auxiliary lanes, replace aging railroad bridges, install soundwalls, and construct an ADA-compliant pedestrian overcrossing at 9th Street. Congresswoman Torres previously wrote to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in support of LA Metro’s application, emphasizing the project’s importance to commuters, public safety, the regional economy, and the movement of goods throughout Southern California. “Anyone who drives the 71 knows how badly these improvements are needed,” said Congresswoman Torres. “I urged the Department of Transportation to support this project because families in Pomona and across the Inland Empire deserve safer roads, shorter commutes, and infrastructure that can keep up with our growing region. This $25 million investment will help eliminate a major bottleneck, improve the movement of goods, and strengthen a corridor that our communities and economy depend on every day. I am thrilled to see federal dollars coming home to move this critical project forward.” “Metro is pleased to be receiving a $25 million INFRA grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the State Route 71 Gap Closure Project,” said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “We are grateful for the remarkably strong support for this project from Congresswoman Norma Torres, a senior member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. This Measure M voter-approved project will significantly reduce congestion and travel times, improve safety and connectivity – all while enhancing the movements of goods and people across our region. I welcome this infusion of federal funding that will help complete this project and express my appreciation to the local, state, and federal stakeholders whose collaboration are making this project a reality.” The SR-71 corridor connects communities across Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties and serves as an important route for commuters and freight movement. Phase 2 will address approximately two miles between I-10 and Mission Boulevard and help create consistent improvements along SR-71 from SR-91 to I-10. The INFRA program provides competitive federal funding for highway and freight projects of national and regional significance that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of moving people and goods.

Taxpayers are being forced to spend $950 million to buy three aging detention facilities and then keep paying GEO Group to run them through 2034. We’re paying hundreds of millions for the facilities and billions more to operate them, while ICE moves to limit oversight of unsafe conditions. Taxpayers shouldn’t have to foot the bill twice for a broken, for-profit detention system. Congress must keep conducting oversight, expose the conditions, and hold ICE and GEO accountable. It’s time to end for-profit detention not expand it.

Keeping our country safe requires strong leadership. I’m grateful to have the support of National Security Leaders for America and the national security leaders who have dedicated their careers to protecting our country. https://t.co/VKfF62LCBQ

Ballots are dropping this week. Vote early, and if you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, check your voter registration at https://t.co/fI0cpbvTl3. Know your rights at the polls. Print, share, and bring these Know Your Rights at the Polling Place cards with you. https://t.co/iPSZz1FxdW

Great to join @WSCarpenters and hear directly from working members about what matters to their families. Trump’s reckless economic policies are making it harder for working people to get ahead. I’ll keep standing with working families and fighting for good-paying jobs. https://t.co/9sDEC4qNmW

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 key to growing the Inland Empire’s economy and creating pathways to good-paying careers in our region,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “Every year, I have the opportunity to visit manufacturers across my district and see firsthand the innovation, skill, and hard work that keep our economy moving. Manufacturing Day is an opportunity to recognize these workers and businesses while encouraging the next generation to explore careers in this growing industry. I am proud to once again partner with Congressman Fleischmann to celebrate American manufacturing and the people who make it possible.” "Whether it’s the cars we drive, the homes we live in, or the products we use every day, manufacturing touches every part of our lives. It creates good jobs, helps our communities thrive, and gives workers the chance to build new skills and brighter futures. That’s why it’s so important to take a moment to celebrate the people behind America’s manufacturing industry. I’m proud to work with my colleagues on this bipartisan resolution. I will always stand up for American manufacturing in Congress,” said Congressman Fleischmann. Manufacturers contribute approximately $2.9 trillion to the U.S. economy, accounting for roughly 11 percent of gross domestic product. Nearly 12.9 million Americans are directly employed in manufacturing, with millions more jobs supported throughout supply chains and related industries. American manufacturers are also major drivers of innovation, investing hundreds of billions of dollars in research and development. Congresswoman Torres has made supporting manufacturers and developing a skilled workforce a priority in the Inland Empire. Through her annual “Made in the 35th” manufacturing tour, Torres visits local manufacturers to hear directly from employers and workers about their needs, highlight locally made products, and promote career opportunities in the industry. Torres and Fleischmann have also worked together to strengthen American manufacturing and supply chains. Their bipartisan National MEP Supply Chain Database Act was included in the CHIPS and Science Act (Public Law No: 117-167) to help manufacturers better prepare for and respond to future supply chain disruptions. The full resolution can be found HERE. ###

Our communities deserve to be safe from gun violence. I’m proud to have the support of Everytown for Gun Safety and will keep fighting for commonsense gun safety measures that protect families, schools, and communities. https://t.co/TdZELQsaep

This is an important step, but our work cannot stop here. More than 1,000 Afghan allies and family members have been given additional time at Camp As Sayliyah. That's why I joined my colleagues in sending a letter calling for the Administration to take action to reunite families, prioritize relatives of service members and veterans, and protect the Afghan allies who stood alongside our troops. We made a promise to them and It’s time to keep it. https://t.co/HpZVrZuKJR

Proud to be recognized as San Bernardino County Young Dems’ Democrat of the Year! Thank you @sbcydems for this recognition and for the work you do to organize, advocate, and make our voices heard across the Inland Empire. https://t.co/0da38iAhUu