In The News
Cortez Masto Announces Intern Scholarship for First-Generation College Students
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement announcing an intern scholarship program for first-generation college students. The scholarship is for students applying for internships at her offices in both Nevada and Washington, DC. Prospective interns can apply here. "First-generation college students have overcome many barriers in order to become the first in their families to attend college. These students blaze their own trail to find … Continue Reading
September 22, 2017
Cortez Masto Condemns Education Department Decision to Rescind Obama-Era Policy to Combat Campus Sexual Assault
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement denouncing the Education Department's decision to roll back protections for victims of sexual assault on college campuses: "In the midst of an epidemic of sexual abuse on our college campuses, Secretary DeVos has chosen to strip protections from victims in order to confer virtual immunity on their attackers. The Trump administration's failure to act to prevent sexual violence will go down as one … Continue Reading
September 22, 2017
Cortez Masto on Graham-Cassidy: False Choice that Takes Nevada Backwards
Washington, D.C. - In a series of short videos released today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) explained how the Graham-Cassidy bill will devastate rural Nevada's communities and leave tens of millions of Americans, including over 243,000 Nevadans, without health care. "Graham-Cassidy presents Nevada with a false choice that takes our state backwards. The Graham-Cassidy bill is the worst version of Trumpcare we've seen yet and pits the most vulnerable in our state against one … Continue Reading
September 21, 2017
Cortez Masto Joins Senate & House Democrats in Calling on FEC to Prevent Foreign Governments from Using Social Media Ads to Influence U.S. Elections
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined today a coalition of Democratic House and Senate members led by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, in sending a letter to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) urging the agency to consider new rules that would prevent foreign nationals from using online advertising platforms, like Facebook and Twitter, to influence U.S. elections. Following … Continue Reading
September 19, 2017
VIDEO: Cortez Masto Advocates for Bill to Grant State and Local Officials Power to Shut Down Sex Trafficking Websites
Washington, D.C. - In today's Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) advocated to allow state and local law enforcement to shut down websites used by human traffickers. Federal criminal prosecutors are already authorized to do this, but acting alone, they have been unable to prevent the rapid growth of the online sex trade. Cortez Masto spoke with stakeholders, including Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) and Yvonne … Continue Reading
September 19, 2017
Cortez Masto Joins Bipartisan Effort to Extend Critical Funding for Community Health Centers Before End of Month Deadline
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined a bipartisan group of Senators today to call for immediate action to extend critical funding for community health centers before funding runs out at the end of this month. In a letter to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Chairman, Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member, Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Senator Cortez Masto, and 69 other Senators expressed their strong support for … Continue Reading
September 19, 2017
Amendment Cosponsored by Cortez Masto to Prevent Discharge of Non-Citizen Military Personnel Passes with Defense Authorization Act
Washington, D.C. - Legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) to retain military personnel in the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) program until their background screenings are completed was adopted as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Senate passed the NDAA yesterday evening. "The MAVNI program enhances our Armed Forces' readiness by allowing it to enlist service members with unique skills that are vital to … Continue Reading
September 19, 2017
Cortez Masto & Heller Announce Over $190 Million for Defense-Related Projects in Nevada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) announced that over $190 million was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) bill approved by the Senate for defense-related projects in the State of Nevada: "I am proud to have worked with my colleagues in a bipartisan way to ensure that our military facilities in Nevada, and throughout our country, receive the vital resources they need to keep our country safe," said Cortez Masto. "It … Continue Reading
September 18, 2017
Cortez Masto Touts Support for Nevada’s Service Members, Applauds Passage of National Defense Authorization Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement touting provisions she sponsored and cosponsored that were included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). These provisions strengthen our support for Nevada's service members, support diversity in our military, and ensure ongoing investment in our military's combat readiness, as well as critical military capabilities. "Our service members make great sacrifices to keep us safe and … Continue Reading
September 18, 2017
Cortez Masto Commemorates U.S. Air Force’s 70th Anniversary
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement commemorating the 70th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force's (USAF) founding: "For seven decades, the U.S. Air Force has protected our country and way of life. Our state of Nevada has a special relationship with the USAF. Both Creech and Nellis Air Force Bases welcome, house, and train countless airmen, as well as their families from all over the country. They are home to some of the premier … Continue Reading
September 18, 2017
Cortez Masto: Graham-Cassidy Threatens Nevada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on the Graham-Cassidy bill currently being discussed by Senate Republicans. "The latest Republican proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act would take our state backwards. We cannot roll back the hard fought coverage gains Governor Sandoval's Medicaid expansion brought to our state. Republicans in the Senate must return to an open and bipartisan process where we focus on stabilizing the … Continue Reading
September 18, 2017
Cortez Masto Celebrates Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in celebration of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Week which is observed from September 18 to 24, 2017. Cortez Masto is a proud cosponsor of the Senate Resolution recognizing the work, goals, and achievements of over 470 non-profit Hispanic Serving Institutions throughout our nation. "A college education has never been so important. Unfortunately, those who come from families with limited … Continue Reading
September 15, 2017
Cortez Masto Applauds Federal Grant for Battery-Electric Bus
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded today the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for awarding an $850,000 grant to the Tahoe Transportation District Project for a battery-electric bus. "As a growing state, Nevada has a special interest in strengthening public transportation through innovation and clean sources of energy. I thank the U.S. Department of Transportation for supporting Nevada's efforts towards realizing this priority. With their new … Continue Reading
September 15, 2017
Cortez Masto: DREAMers Are Not Alone In This Fight
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement unveiling her resource guide for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients to understand the resources and support available to them in Nevada. Click here to download the resource guide in English and in Spanish here. "For DREAMers, the United States is the only country they have ever known. They are our family members, our neighbors, our coworkers, and our soldiers. DREAMers should not … Continue Reading
September 15, 2017
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Urge DeVos to Uphold Protections for Sexual Assault Survivors and Instead Invest in Civil Rights Office
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and 28 other U.S. Senators in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos advising her not to create chaos and uncertainty by rescinding guidance that directs schools on how to handle investigations of campus sexual assault. The Senators urged her to abandon her efforts to undermine survivors of sexual assault, and instead focus on her Department's ability to support schools, students and … Continue Reading
September 15, 2017
Cortez Masto Participates in Roundtable at Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce, Unveils Small Business Guide
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) participated today in a roundtable discussion hosted by the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce. The Senator discussed the importance of increasing access to capital for Nevada businesses, creating more opportunities for women and people of color to open and grow small businesses, and unveiled her new Resource Guide for Nevada's Small Businesses. The guide will be available in both English and Spanish. "Nevada's business community is a … Continue Reading
September 15, 2017
Cortez Masto Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated from September 15 to October 15: "Today marks the beginning for Hispanic Heritage Month. As a Mexican American, this month is special and dear to me. Hispanic people, history, culture, music, and the Spanish language have been instrumental in building the modern American identity. In Nevada alone, Hispanic culture has shaped our communities and even the … Continue Reading
September 14, 2017
Cortez Masto, Burr Introduce Bill to Promote Innovation in Transportation Systems to Address Challenges in Communities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) introduced the Moving and Fostering Innovation to Revolutionize Smarter Transportation or the Moving FIRST Act, a bill that will enhance the transportation systems of American communities through the use of innovative technology. This legislation will establish and build on the successes of the 2015 Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Cities Challenge administered by the … Continue Reading
September 13, 2017
Cortez Masto Commemorates 23rd Anniversary of Violence Against Women Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement commemorating the 23rd anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) becoming law: "Twenty-three years ago, Congress made history by passing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This monumental legislation has made enormous strides in combating violence and strengthened the rights of domestic violence survivors. VAWA has been instrumental in providing resources to law enforcement and … Continue Reading
September 13, 2017
Cortez Masto Statement in Recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week, which runs from September 10-16, 2017: "This week, we send a message to everyone struggling with suicidal thoughts and depression: you are not alone. We recognize that depression is not a choice or a failure of willpower but a deadly disease that claims the lives of 44,193 Americans every single year. Depression is treatable and suicide is … Continue Reading