Golden State Today

Rep. Norma Torres, a U.S. Congress member representing California’s 35th district, shared her thoughts on several pressing issues through social media posts on February 19, 2025.

In one of her posts, she expressed sorrow over the death of Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi. Torres noted Marodi's extensive service to CAL FIRE and communities, stating "Heartbroken to hear of the passing of Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi. Her 30+ years of service to CAL FIRE and our communities will never be forgotten. My deepest condolences to her family, loved ones, and the entire firefighting community."

Later that day, Rep. Torres called for accountability regarding aviation safety concerns involving prominent figures such as Elon Musk and Donald Trump. She asserted that "We need to hold DOGE, Musk, and Trump accountable for making flying less safe for Americans and flyers worldwide."

Additionally, Torres criticized staffing decisions within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), urging them to rehire previously dismissed employees and address hiring needs in air traffic control positions. She also pointed out potential conflicts involving Elon Musk with FAA oversight responsibilities related to SpaceX operations: "It's time the FAA rehired the 400 staffers they fired and hired air traffic controllers that meet the nation's needs. Elon Musk's conflicts of interest with the FAA, especially overseeing SpaceX, makes him a liability."