Torres Welcomes Chairman David Price to California's 35th Congressional District

Press Release

ONTARIO -- This week, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), a Member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, welcomed Congressman David Price (NC-04), Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (T-HUD) Appropriations Subcommittee, to the 35th Congressional District. Rep. Torres and Chairman Price visited Ontario's Astrophysics Inc., Fontana's Malaga Bridge, and Montclair's Transit Center. Congresswoman Torres serves with Chairman Price on the T-HUD Subcommittee.

As Chair of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, Chairman Price oversees the funding process for federal housing and transportation agencies. This visit provided Chairman Price with an opportunity to see the Inland Empire's needs and priorities in affordable housing and transit-oriented development.

"As we focus on the Inland Empire's transportation and housing needs, I am honored to welcome Chairman Price to my congressional district," said Rep. Norma J. Torres. "It is important to bring back federal dollars to our communities so that cities in CA35 can continue developing new affordable housing units and expanding access to transit options for working families. The programs funded by this Appropriations Subcommittee play a critical role in creating economic opportunity for all Americans, and in making the American Dream more attainable for first time homebuyers. I'll continue to work with Chairman Price to address the housing and transportation needs of our region."

"As Chair of the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, I was pleased to visit California's 35th Congressional District with my friend and colleague, Rep. Norma Torres," said Chairman David Price. "It's clear that we need to make meaningful investments in public transit that will support the growth of the region, lower emissions, and increase public safety. I'm grateful to Congresswoman Torres for showing me around her district and look forward to continuing my work with her in Washington to Build Back Better."

"I would like thank Congressman Norma Torres for bringing the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee to Fontana for this historic visit to the Malaga Bridge site," said Mayor Aquanetta Warren. This project is important to our community because it will bring millions of dollars in badly needed infrastructure improvements and create a safe route that will connect pedestrians from Fontana to the San Gabriel Valley."

"Extension of the Gold Line to Montclair does more than bring a light rail system to our progressive community. For the thousands of potential daily riders its arrival will create favorable and affordable opportunities for access to centers of health, education, employment, recreation and entertainment, housing, and culture," said City Manager Ed Starr. "We are grateful for Congressman Price's leadership and extensive knowledge on transportation issues. His role as Chairman of the House Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, together with the support and partnership of his co-member, Congresswoman Torres, has greatly expanded awareness of the vital importance of public transit in resolving an array of environmental, quality-of-life, and traffic-congestion-management issues directly associated with our nation's and region's car-culture orientation."
Earlier this year, Rep. Torres secured $15 million in the 2021 House surface transportation package, the INVEST in America Act, to help reconstruct the historic Malaga Bridge in Fontana, expand part of Foothill Boulevard, and construct pedestrian sidewalks and bike lanes on the same. The project will improve traffic safety, reduce congestion, and provide adequate pedestrian facilities. The House and Senate are completing a final infrastructure package, and Congresswoman Torres is working to ensure California's Inland Empire has access to affordable and reliable transportation and housing options.

Additionally, in July, the House of Representatives passed seven appropriation bills, which included the Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies legislation. The transportation and housing section of the package includes $84.1 billion in discretionary funding, and Congresswoman Torres worked with Chairman Price to incorporate many of her priorities, which will benefit the Inland Empire. That bill included three local community projects totaling more than $5 million dollars, including:

Affordable Housing Development: $800,000 to develop 75 income-restricted Pomona Artist Lofts.
Recreation Facility Updates: $2 million for revitalizing Saratoga Park in Montclair; and
Street and Walking Trail Improvements: $3 million for street improvements and Walking/Trail Steps rehabilitation at Ganesha Park in Pomona.
Rep. Torres secured $11.3 million in federal funding for all ten community projects that she submitted in a series of four Congressional Appropriations bill and will continue working to ensure that these bills are passed by Congress and signed into law.

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