Torres, Norma J.

Congresswoman Norma Torres represents California's 35th Congressional District in the Inland Empire and serves as Ranking Member of the House Administration Subcommittee on Modernization and Innovation. As the minority party's leader on this subcommittee, Torres shapes the Democratic response to initiatives modernizing House operations and technology systems. The subcommittee oversees how Congress updates its internal infrastructure, from constituent engagement platforms to staff collaboration tools, making it a key venue for ensuring the legislative branch operates efficiently and transparently. Torres brings substantial expertise in government modernization from her prior service in the California State Senate, where she authored legislation modernizing the 911 emergency response system and championed the Affordable Care Act's implementation for California residents.

Torres immigrated to the United States from Guatemala at age five and built a career in public service before entering Congress in 2015. She worked as a 911 dispatcher for the Los Angeles Police Department for 17 years, served on the Pomona City Council and as its mayor, and represented California in both the state Assembly and Senate. Her background in emergency services and community advocacy informs her legislative priorities around public safety, housing, and constituent services. She earned a bachelor's degree in labor studies from the National Labor College.

As Ranking Member, Torres has actively shaped the subcommittee's modernization agenda. She championed the launch of LegiDex, a new online staff directory designed to improve collaboration across House offices, and worked on FlagTrack 2.0, which modernizes the constituent flag request process. She has emphasized the importance of making congressional technology accessible and transparent while protecting constituent privacy. Torres also serves on the House Appropriations Committee, where she secures federal funding for her district and has directed resources toward addressing migration root causes and military cold case investigations.

Torres has built a legislative record focused on democracy protection and constituent services. She sponsored the January 6th Truth and Transparency Act and the Violent Insurrection Recidivist Enhancement Act, reflecting her commitment to accountability. As a senior member of the Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee, she has secured billions in federal investments for the Inland Empire, including over $863 million in bipartisan appropriations projects and $73 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Her political standing reflects strong support from her district, where she has won reelection consistently with substantial margins since 2014.