In The News
Cortez Masto Commemorates 5th Anniversary of DACA
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement commemorating the 5th anniversary of former President Barack Obama's announcement of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program: "President Obama's implementation of the DACA program has opened countless doors for young undocumented immigrants. Thanks to this program, thousands of young men and women who used to live in the shadows are now doctors, engineers, activists, professional … Continue Reading
June 14, 2017
Cortez Masto Condemns Department of Education’s Refusal to Implement Pro-Student Policy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement condemning Education Secretary Betsy DeVos's decision to no longer implement the Obama-era "borrower defense" and Gainful Employment rules set to take effect next month. The rules would have protected at least 3,000 students from predatory for-profit colleges: "I am deeply disappointed that the Department of Education has decided to ignore the needs of thousands of Nevadans and delay the … Continue Reading
June 14, 2017
Cortez Masto Statement on Alexandria Shooting Involving Members of Congress
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on today's shooting in Alexandria, VA involving members of Congress, their staff and Capitol Police officers: "In light of this morning's attack, I call on Americans to come together to condemn all acts of violence. Today we demonstrate our resilience in times of darkness and work together to overcome hate with empathy and kindness. My heart goes out to Rep. Steve Scalise, staff and officers who … Continue Reading
June 13, 2017
Cortez Masto, Heller, Raise Concerns about Pending Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nominees
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) today submitted a joint statement to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works ahead of a hearing on the nominations of Kristine Svinicki, Annie Caputo, and David Wright to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the independent agency responsible for licensing the Yucca Mountain nuclear repository. "We recognize that the nominees considered before the Committee today have a history … Continue Reading
June 13, 2017
Cortez Masto Statement on Sage Grouse Conservation Efforts
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) issued the following statement in support of the existing federal sage grouse plans that implement habitat-based sage grouse conservation management. Last week, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced that the Department of the Interior will shift its focus towards a population-based conservation approach, ignoring decades of experience and habitat management models used by Western governors. "Conservation is a delicate process … Continue Reading
June 12, 2017
Cortez Masto Urges Secretary DeVos to Protect Students, Reverse Student Loan Decisions
More than 150 Members of Congress highlight concerns surrounding Secretary DeVos' decision to change the federal student loan servicing contract process Members of Congress also cited concerns with Secretary DeVos' decision to reward just one company with all federal student loans-a move that would hurt both borrowers and taxpayers Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today joined Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Reps. Bobby Scott … Continue Reading
June 09, 2017
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Protect LGBTQ Americans from Housing Discrimination
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined 15 of her colleagues in cosponsoring the Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2017, a bill that would add gender identity and sexual orientation to the classes protected from discrimination under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), to ensure equal housing opportunities for all Americans. U.S. Representative Scott Taylor (R-Va.) introduced the original House version of this bill in early March of this year. The FHA only … Continue Reading
June 08, 2017
Cortez Masto Statement on Former FBI Director Comey Hearing Before Senate Intelligence Committee
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on today's Senate Intelligence Committee hearing with former FBI Director James Comey: "Today's hearing was another reminder to the American people: Russia intentionally interfered in the 2016 Presidential Election, an active assault on our country's founding democracy. President Trump and his Administration's continued denial of this fact is a harmful ignorance that undermines our country's core … Continue Reading
June 08, 2017
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Oppose Proposal to Auction Off DOE Transmission Assets
Senators Challenge Short-sighted Plan to Sell Department of Energy's Power Marketing Administrations Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and a bipartisan group of Western senators wrote to Energy Secretary Rick Perry to oppose a provision in the President's FY 2018 Budget that would auction off the transmission assets of the Department of Energy's Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs). The senators write in the letter, "The PMAs - the Southeastern … Continue Reading
June 08, 2017
Cortez Masto Statement on the Antiquities Act’s 111th Anniversary
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on the Antiquities Act's 111th anniversary since its passage in 1906: "For more than a century, the Antiquities Act has allowed us to carry out the important responsibility of protecting and preserving American landscapes of cultural and historical value. It is a promise that we must continue to keep for future generations, so that they too can appreciate and enjoy the beauty of our public lands. … Continue Reading
June 07, 2017
Cortez Masto Statement on LGBT Pride Month
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in recognition of LGBT Pride Month: "This month, we celebrate the countless achievements of the LGBT community and remember those before us whose strength and sacrifice brought us closer to achieving equality. LGBT Pride Month is an opportunity for us to recommit to fighting for equal rights and to stand up against policies targeting the LGBT community. We have come a long way since the Stonewall … Continue Reading
June 07, 2017
Cortez Masto, Heller Invite DOT Secretary Chao to Visit Nevada, Witness State’s Infrastructure Projects and Needs
Highlight state's booming population, growing tech and tourism industries, as drivers of need for enhanced and innovative transportation projects Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.), members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, wrote to Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine Chao today to invite her to visit their home state to witness Nevada's growing economy and population, and in turn, its … Continue Reading
June 07, 2017
Sens. Cortez Masto, Menendez Call on SXSW to Move Out of Texas in Response to Discriminatory “Show Me Your Papers” Law
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today called upon the organizers of South by Southwest (SXSW) to consider relocating their annual conference and festival out of Texas until the recent anti-immigrant SB4 law is repealed or overturned by the courts. In a letter to Roland Swenson, CEO of the renowned festival, the two Latino senators outlined the potential risks posed by SB4 to the safety and interest of the festival attendees and asked … Continue Reading
June 06, 2017
Cortez Masto Applauds $4.6 Million in Federal Grants for Rural Nevada Airports
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement applauding the U.S. Department of Transportation's announcement of more than $4.6 million in federal grants to repair and improve airports and aviation equipment in rural Nevada. "These funds will provide the much-needed improvement that our rural airports need to operate safely and securely," said Cortez Masto. "Our airports ensure that Nevada communities are connected and that our cities are … Continue Reading
June 05, 2017
Cortez Masto Statement on Immigrant Heritage Month
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in recognition of Immigrant Heritage Month: "In June, we honor immigrants and their numerous contributions to our communities. For those of us who descended from immigrants, we celebrate our ancestors and thank them for their perseverance in pursuit of a better life. Many of them made epic, dangerous journeys across oceans and continents. They left their homes and risked their lives so that we … Continue Reading
June 05, 2017
Cortez Masto Urges DHS to Protect Domestic Violence Victims’ Access to Justice
Washington, D.C. - Last week, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and five other Senate Democrats sent a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security-Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), respectively-urging them to pressure the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to clarify its policies regarding immigrants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes. "Following the … Continue Reading
June 02, 2017
Cortez Masto Tours Community Health Alliance Clinic, Hosts Roundtable Discussion
Reno, NV - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) toured the Community Health Alliance Clinic (CHA) to witness how the CHA works with the Reno-Sparks community to provide quality affordable healthcare. After the tour, Senator Cortez Masto hosted a roundtable discussion with healthcare professionals, experts, and constituents to discuss the benefits of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The group also discussed how the ACA's repeal and the implementation of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) … Continue Reading
June 02, 2017
Cortez Masto: Trump’s Budget Does Nothing to Help Housing Needs of Low-Income Families, Seniors and the Homeless
Reno, NV - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement criticizing President Trump's budget proposal for cutting essential funding to address the housing needs of low-income Nevada families, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and the homeless. "Nevada is still recovering from the effects of the housing crisis and we need to continue our hard-fought progress by investing in families, especially Nevadans who are still struggling," said Cortez Masto. … Continue Reading
June 01, 2017
Cortez Masto Celebrates Official Opening of Patagonia’s Child Development Center
Reno, NV - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today attended the official opening of the Patagonia Truckee River Child Development Center, an onsite day-care designed to meet the needs of the nearly 500 employees working in Patagonia's Reno-based distribution, repair, and customer service center. Cortez Masto participated in the grand opening alongside Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario and toured the facility. "I applaud Patagonia for its leadership in the campaign to change workplace … Continue Reading
June 01, 2017
Cortez Masto Statement on Trump Decision to Leave Paris Agreement
Reno, NV - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on President Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement: "The Paris Agreement provides the necessary framework for the United States to act responsibly on climate change. This historic agreement, joined by all but two countries, requires cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, improvements in our ability to adapt to adverse impacts, and increases in crucial financial investments to … Continue Reading
