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    Norma Torres, CA-35 candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire
    • May 5, 2026

    Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

    Name: Norma Torres

    Current job title: United States Representative

    Age: 61

    Political party affiliation: Democratic

    Incumbent: Yes

    Other political positions held: Pomona City Councilwoman; Mayor of the City of Pomona; Member, California State Assembly; California State Senator, 32nd District

    City where you reside: Pomona

    Campaign website or social media: NormaTorres.com

    From voter ID to war powers and from immigration to tariffs, Congress has tackled many issues over the past year. What do you, though, see as the top three issues impacting Californians, and what specifically could you do as a lawmaker to address these issues? (Please answer in 250 words or less, and keep your response to future proposals.)

    The top three issues I hear from my constituents are clear: affordability, access to healthcare, and ending the immigration abuses carried out under Donald Trump.

    Families across the Inland Empire are being squeezed from every direction. The cost of basic goods keeps rising, driven by reckless tariffs and cuts to essential programs like healthcare, education, childcare, and food assistance. Families are paying more out of pocket just to get by. The escalating conflict with Iran is pushing gas prices higher hurting commuters.

    On healthcare, the situation is just as urgent. Republicans passed the “Big Ugly Bill,” slashing Medicaid by $1 trillion while refusing to extend Affordable Care Act benefits that so many families depend on. In my district, 45% of residents rely on Medi-Cal. These cuts will strip coverage from an estimated 45,000 people and force local hospitals to reduce services and lay off nurses. That’s not policy, that’s harm.

    I hear the outrage about how immigration enforcement is being carried out. Across the country, incidents like the deadly ICE shootings in Minneapolis demand accountability and transparency.

    We need real reform. That means requiring warrants, ending the use of masks, enforcing due process, and holding federal agents to the same professional standards as local law enforcement. Federal agencies should be focused on dangerous individuals not families who are contributing to our communities.

    I will keep fighting to lower costs, protect healthcare, and ensure our laws are enforced with justice, accountability, and respect for human dignity.

    Speaking of voter ID, the president has implored Congress to approve legislation that would require people to show proof of citizenship in order to vote. What role do you believe the federal government plays in telling states how to conduct their own elections, as dictated by the U.S. Constitution? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

    The Constitution is clear: states are responsible for administering their elections. And California has led the nation in making sure every eligible voter can cast a ballot and have that ballot counted accurately. We already have strong citizen verification systems in place, and they work.

    But time and time again, Republicans have tried to undermine trust in our democracy. Study after study has already shown that non-citizen voter fraud is almost nonexistent. During the 2024 election, the Republican chair of the House Administration Committee, on which I serve, came to Los Angeles looking for so-called “irregularities.” Instead, he left impressed by how efficient, transparent, secure, and accurate California’s election system really is.

    This isn’t new. Back in 2018, the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, led by Vice President Mike Pence, found no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2016 election.

    That’s why I strongly oppose the so-called SAVE America Act. This bill isn’t about election integrity; it’s about voter suppression. It would disenfranchise millions of Americans, including women who have changed their names after marriage, and even prevent many currently registered voters from casting a ballot.

    We should be expanding access to the ballot, not putting up new barriers to silence voters.

    What, in your opinion, should the federal government focus on when it comes to immigration policy? For example, do you place a priority on border security, visas for high-skilled workers, refuge for asylum seekers, etc., and why? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

    Instead of targeting individuals who are working hard to provide for their families and contribute to our communities, ICE and CBP should be focused on removing violent criminals. The reality is that most people being detained today have no criminal record.

    And the consequences of these policies are devastating. We have all seen the heartbreaking images of families torn apart, children detained, communities living in fear. Incidents like the recent Minneapolis shooting, where a mother was killed during an ICE operation, have only deepened concerns about accountability, use of force, and oversight.

    Beyond that, the system itself is broken. It fails to recognize that many individuals have lived here for decades, working, raising families, and contributing to our economy and our communities.

    That’s why I’ve taken action. I introduced legislation to ensure that individuals in deportation proceedings have access to legal counsel because due process should not depend on your income. And I’m proud to co-lead H.R. 4696, the Registry Bill, which would give long-term residents without a criminal record a real opportunity to adjust their status and continue contributing to the country they already call home.

    We need an immigration system that is fair, humane, and focused on real public safety, not one that punishes families and undermines our values.

    It’s been over a year since Gov. Gavin Newsom asked the federal government for supplemental disaster aid to help Southern California communities rebuild after the devastating Palisades and Eaton wildfires, but neither President Donald Trump nor Congress has acted. What would you do to push for the funding, besides writing letters to the Trump administration or the leaders of Congress? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

    When disaster strikes, Americans come together. That’s the promise our federal government has always made: that no community will face recovery alone. But that promise has been broken under Donald Trump. His refusal to provide comprehensive disaster recovery assistance is not only wrong, but also un-American and out of step with our values.

    As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I’ve fought to deliver the resources communities need to rebuild. Over the past year, I’ve offered multiple amendments to fund disaster recovery efforts in Southern California and across the country. Each time, Republicans have rejected those efforts.

    Meanwhile, the need continues to grow. Since January 2025, more than 20 states have experienced major disasters. These communities are facing the same challenges we see here at home; rebuilding homes, restoring infrastructure, and helping families get back on their feet.

    In 2005, I lost my home and everything I owned in a devastating fire. I know from first-hand experience the trauma families must endure to rebuild their lives. I will keep fighting for the funding these communities deserve, and I will continue working to build bipartisan support to get it done. But let me be clear; no supplemental funding package on any issue should move forward without including the assistance California families need to recover and rebuild.

    Do you support a ban or restriction on congressional lawmakers and their families from buying or selling individual stocks? Why or why not? And what would you propose to ensure lawmakers aren’t using their positions to engage in insider trading? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

    Let’s be real, members of Congress should not be playing the stock market while making the laws that move it. Period.

    I fully support banning lawmakers and their families from buying and selling individual stocks because public service is not a get-rich-quick scheme.

    I serve on the House Administration Committee, and what we’ve seen from Republicans are weak bills full of loopholes designed to look good but not actually fix the problem.

    And this isn’t just about Congress. The same rules should apply to the president, the vice president, and their families. No one in power should be cashing in on inside access.

    That’s why I’m a cosponsor of the Restore Trust in Government Act to finally put real, enforceable bans in place.

    Because if you’re making the rules, you shouldn’t be profiting from them. It’s that simple.

    Do you support stronger regulations on pollution and carbon emissions? If so, how would you ensure those regulations aren’t overly burdensome on small businesses or lower-income families? And if not, how do you propose lawmakers protect the environment and curtail the impacts of climate change? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

    Climate change is real, and we’re already living with the consequences here in California. Ignoring it isn’t an option.

    I support practical solutions that lower costs and protect our communities: expanding renewable energy like solar, increasing energy efficiency, recycling water, and investing in research to reduce wildfire risk.

    And I’m not just talking, I’ve delivered. I’ve helped secure funding for local projects to recycle water, replace aging pipes, and modernize our infrastructure. I also authored a bipartisan bill to help local water districts remove dangerous contaminants like arsenic and nitrates from drinking water.

    But let’s be clear, addressing climate change cannot come at the expense of working families and small businesses.

    That’s why I’m fighting to expand support through the Small Business Administration, increase funding for programs like the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program, and make sure families can access tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient upgrades.

    We can take on climate change and lower costs at the same time, but only if we’re focused on solutions that actually help people.

    President Donald Trump has significantly increased spending for the U.S. Department of Defense. Would you, as a member of Congress, approve additional dollars for the military if the president were to ask for more funding? How would you ensure that any military spending does not end up putting the American people or national security in harm’s way? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

    Last year’s so-called “Big Ugly” bill handed the Pentagon another $150 billion on top of the hundreds of billions they already receive. And now, Donald Trump has launched a war with Iran without authorization from Congress or support from the American people.

    There’s no clear strategy. No defined objective. No credible path to success, only the very real risk of destroying our economy and putting more American lives in harm’s way.

    Let me be clear: I support our troops. But supporting our troops also means not sending them into conflict without a plan and not shortchanging the families they leave behind.

    Because right now, working families in the Inland Empire are struggling to afford housing, healthcare, and basic necessities. And every dollar poured into an endless conflict is a dollar not invested in our communities here at home.

    We need leadership that prioritizes the American people, not another costly, open-ended war.

    Under what specific circumstances do you believe the U.S. should engage in a war? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

    The United States should only enter a sustained war when Congress authorizes it, and the president can clearly articulate the mission, strategy, and path to success. Otherwise, it risks unconstitutional action and strategic failure.

    Do you believe a president should seek congressional approval before engaging in military action overseas? Why, or why not? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

    The president should absolutely seek congressional approval before taking this nation to war.

    Our Founding Fathers were deliberate in designing a system where the power to declare war rests with Congress, the body closest to the American people. That wasn’t an accident. It was a safeguard. The War Powers Act reinforces that principle by placing limits on a president’s ability to engage in prolonged conflict without the consent of the people’s representatives. Without these guardrails, we risk entering wars based on the judgment or even the whims of a single individual, instead of a decision made through democratic accountability.

    War is not abstract. It puts our troops in harm’s way. It demands enormous sacrifice from military families. It consumes vast national resources. That kind of decision must be made with transparency, with debate, and with the full weight of Congress behind it. Anything less falls short of the responsibility we owe the American people.

    Congress, in theory, is supposed to serve as a check on the president through budgetary, legislative and oversight powers. Do you believe Congress has fulfilled that obligation during the past two administrations, with one being a Democrat and the other a Republican? Why or why not? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

    Under Donald Trump, Republicans abandoned their responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.

    They failed to conduct the oversight necessary to stop waste, fraud, and abuse. As a result, we’ve seen the dismantling of critical agencies like USAID and the Department of Education, not through thoughtful reform, but through neglect and silence.

    The courts have stepped in to stop the administration’s worst actions, but often, that intervention occurs after real harm has already been done.

    Democrats have a different approach. We’ve proven that transparency and accountability work. By demanding disclosure and shining a light on abuse, we’ve forced the administration to reverse course; reopening programs, restoring funding, and complying with the law.

    As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I’ve worked to ensure that Congress reasserts its authority over federal spending. That includes inserting guardrails, rejecting reckless funding cuts, limiting the administration’s ability to move money between programs, enforcing deadlines to get funds out the door, maintaining staffing, and protecting essential services.

    California is a donor state, contributing roughly $83 billion more in federal taxes each year than we receive back. Our taxpayers should not be punished for political reasons. I authored the Taxpayer Protection Act to ensure that states like California are treated fairly, and that federal funds are distributed based on need and equity, not political favoritism.

    Hard-working Americans deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent, and Congress has a duty to step in, demand accountability, and protect the public trust.

    Governments around the world are increasingly considering an age ban or other restrictions on social media use among young people, citing mental health and other concerns. Should Congress adopt such restrictions? If so, what specific restrictions do you propose? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

    I support an age-based restriction on social media use for kids. We have a responsibility to protect children from platforms that are deliberately designed to be addictive and can cause real harm. Recent landmark verdicts have made that clear, finding Meta and YouTube negligent for designing addictive products that contributed to mental health harms and failed to adequately protect children. We cannot ignore that reality.

    At the same time, I support efforts to keep kids off their devices during the school day. Across the country, school districts are taking action, banning cell phones and personal devices so students can stay focused on learning, building relationships, and developing critical skills without constant digital distraction.

    This isn’t about punishment; it’s about protection and balance. Children deserve a chance to grow, learn, and thrive without being pulled into harmful online environments or constant screen time. Setting reasonable limits both online and in our schools is a commonsense step toward putting their wellbeing first.

    Statistically, violent crime rates in California are on the decline, yet residents still don’t feel safe or at ease in their communities. How do you see your role in Congress in addressing the underlying issues that make Californians feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

    As a former 911 dispatcher and former mayor, I understand that residents want to feel safe at home and in their neighborhoods. That’s why I support strong youth programs, family support services, and strong partnerships with local law enforcement. The community projects I’ve funded are focused on violence prevention and giving hardworking families the support they need to succeed.

    In Congress, we play a critical role in strengthening public safety. Funding programs like the COPS initiative to help communities hire more officers, expand efforts to combat drug and human trafficking, and invest in mental health and homelessness services because public safety is about prevention as much as enforcement. We also support federal agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration, which work alongside local law enforcement to keep dangerous criminals off our streets.

    But this president has repeatedly proposed cuts to these critical programs and has pulled thousands of federal agents away from major investigations, reassigning them to low-level immigration enforcement. We need agents focused on their core missions.

    I introduced the Blue Envelope Act to provide federal grant funding to train law enforcement on best practices when interacting with individuals with disabilities, ensuring safer, informed encounters for everyone involved.

    I’ve also secured funding for essential tools, body cameras, updated police radios, and emergency mobile command centers, because when law enforcement has the right resources, our communities are safer. Public safety requires smart investments, strong partnerships, and a clear focus on what actually works.

    There are term limits to serve in the California Legislature, but none to serve in Congress. Would you advocate for term limits for House members? Why or why not? If you support term limits, how many years maximum should a House member be allowed to serve? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

    Elections are the ultimate term limits, and every two years, our constituents make the decision about whether a member of Congress should be term-limited.

    In Congress, it can take years for elected officials to become experts in public policy issues and to gain the seniority needed to be effective advocates for their constituents. For many decades, Latino, Black, and Asian representatives were told to wait their turns as more senior elected officials wielded power. It is ironic that now that these members have gained the same seniority to affect change, term limits would artificially limit their ability to help their constituents.

    In Sacramento, term limits have given lobbyists all the institutional knowledge and power. I don’t believe democracy should work that way.

    What’s a hidden talent you have? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

    I enjoy riding dirt bikes!

    ​ Orange County Register 

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