In The News
Cortez Masto: Andrew Wheeler Will Undermine Americans’ Health & Environment
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on the nomination of Andrew Wheeler as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Andrew Wheeler is a former coal lobbyist who has repeatedly demonstrated that he is willing to undermine Americans' health and the conservation of our environment in favor of big polluters. We are facing a climate crisis, and we need leaders who will protect the health and wellbeing of families in … Continue Reading
February 26, 2019
Cortez Masto, Harris, Merkley Reintroduce Bill to Reunify and Protect Immigrant Families
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today joined Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in reintroducing the Reunite Every Unaccompanied Newborn Infant, Toddler and Other Children Expeditiously (REUNITE) Act. This bill establishes a permanent system of coordination between agencies and non-governmental organizations to expedite the reunification of separated immigrant families and promote humane alternatives for asylum-seeking immigrant … Continue Reading
February 26, 2019
VIDEO: Cortez Masto Presses Pharmaceutical Executives to Detail Plans to Lower Prescription Drug Costs
Washington, D.C. - At today's Senate Finance Committee hearing on drug pricing, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned executives from seven pharmaceutical companies on whether they're playing by the rules and ensuring fairness for taxpayers, prioritizing investments in the research and development of new medicines, and on what steps they are taking to lower prescription drug prices and improve health outcomes for all patients, no matter their income level. Cortez Masto … Continue Reading
February 26, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Expand Access to Child Care and Preschool Programs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today cosponsored the Child Care for Working Families Act, legislation introduced by Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) that promotes affordable child care and high-quality preschool programs for working families. "Nevada's working families should never have to make the impossible choice between being able to afford reliable child care and going to work to provide for their families. I'm proud to be working with Senator Murray and my … Continue Reading
February 26, 2019
Cortez Masto: FHFA Nominee Calabria Would Put Homeownership Out of Reach for Thousands of Nevadans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after voting at a meeting of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs against advancing the nomination of Mark Calabria as Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director. "As the regulator of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, the next FHFA Director will play a critical role in how we meet Nevada's housing needs and ensure access to financing that makes … Continue Reading
February 25, 2019
Cortez Masto, Cornyn Introduce Legislation Supporting Teachers of English Learners
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the Reaching English Learners Act to tackle the shortage of teachers certified to teach English learners (ELs) in the United States. The bill creates a competitive grant program for institutions of higher education to partner with high-need school districts to provide support and incentives for schools and colleges to create and develop programs that improve training for future EL … Continue Reading
February 25, 2019
Cortez Masto: American Women Deserve to Make Health Care Choices in Consultation with Doctor, Not Government
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after voting against legislation that would restrict women's reproductive choice and criminalize doctors who provide essential care. "Senate Republican leaders brought a bill to the floor that does nothing short of attacking a woman's protected right to make her own reproductive health decisions. This bill is an assault on women and relies on lies that run contrary to medical evidence and simple … Continue Reading
February 23, 2019
Cortez Masto Attends College Readiness Workshop Hosted by Washoe County School District
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today attended and spoke at the kick-off of the Washoe County School District Parent University's Chart the Course event. The all-day workshop provides middle and high school students and their families with information on how to plan for college and achieve other educational and career goals. "I'm so proud to join with WCSD Parent University as they host such a useful and informative event to help prepare middle school and high school … Continue Reading
February 22, 2019
Cortez Masto Applauds Chicanos Por La Causa for Grand Opening of Affordable Workforce Housing Development
Dayton, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today joined Chicanos Por La Causa for the grand opening of ten newly constructed homes as part of a 200-unit affordable workforce housing development location in Dayton. The Senator also presented keys to new homeowners as part of a ceremony at the event. These new affordable workforce housing units include townhouses, senior housing and multi-family housing units. "Today is such a special day because it marks something so important … Continue Reading
February 21, 2019
Cortez Masto, Senators Condemn DeVos’ Inaction to Relieve Student Debt, Punish Colleges’ Predatory Practices
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today joined Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Democratic colleagues in requesting Education Secretary Betsy DeVos immediately address a severe backlog of federal student loan discharge requests. The Obama-era "borrower defense" rule was recently renewed to help students get debt relief and to punish predatory institutions, but 139,000 unprocessed claims remain. The Department of Education's inaction is delaying protection for … Continue Reading
February 19, 2019
Cortez Masto Announces Legislative Director & Chief Counsel Joleen Rivera
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today announced Joleen Rivera as Legislative Director and Chief Counsel. Rivera previously served in Senator Cortez Masto's office as Legislative Counsel handling the Senator's immigration, civil rights, human trafficking, and labor portfolios. "During my first two years in office, Joleen has been a critical member of my team as we've fought to protect Dreamers in Nevada, and across the country, worked to ensure families under … Continue Reading
February 19, 2019
Cortez Masto Meets with Dedicated Staff and Volunteers at Re-Opening of Southern Nevada Rape Crisis Center
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) visited the new, larger Rape Crisis Center in Las Vegas for a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate its expansion of client services. During her visit, the Senator spoke with staff and volunteers who support survivors of sexual violence through a 24-hour crisis hotline and hospital response program, as well as provide counseling and advocacy to help victims heal and seek support. "From my time as Attorney General, I've fought to … Continue Reading
February 17, 2019
Cortez Masto Speaks at the Chinese New Year Celebration in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, N.V. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) attended the 25th Annual Chinese New Year Celebration at the Las Vegas Chinatown Plaza to celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Pig. The celebration highlighted the importance of the Asian American community in Nevada, and welcomed a new year filled with good fortune and new beginnings. "Growing up in Las Vegas, I've seen firsthand how the Asian American community has strengthened our state and contributed to our community. … Continue Reading
February 16, 2019
Cortez Masto Attends Springs Preserve Black History Month Festival
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) attended the 10th annual Black History Month Festival at Springs Preserve. The festival honors Black History Month by inviting community members to celebrate the contributions of African Americans to Nevada's history and culture with music, food and dance. "It was an honor to join my fellow Nevadans in celebrating Black History Month at the annual Springs Preserve festival. This special event is an opportunity for all Nevadans to … Continue Reading
February 15, 2019
Cortez Masto on Passage of Justice for Victims of Lynching Act in the Senate
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act passed the Senate yesterday and continued to the House of Representatives. The legislation, which Senator Cortez Masto cosponsored, would make lynching a federal crime. "For far too long the United States Congress has failed to say clearly that lynching is a crime and to recognize it as a despicable act of terror against African-Americans and other … Continue Reading
February 15, 2019
Cortez Masto Statement on President Trump’s National Emergency Declaration
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after President Trump declared a national emergency to redirect $6.5 billion in taxpayer money in an attempt to build his expensive and ineffective border wall without congressional approval. "Let us be clear, this national emergency is one of the President's own making. I'm disappointed that President Trump has chosen to disregard bipartisan negotiations by Congress that funded $1.375 billion … Continue Reading
February 15, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Ensure Federal Workers Impacted by Government Shutdown Obtain Security Clearances
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored legislation to prevent the denial or revocation of security clearances for workers whose financial status deteriorated during the government shutdown. Introduced by Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the Protecting Employees' Security Clearances Act of 2019 prohibits factoring short-term financial issues as grounds for denial of security clearances. "Federal workers in Nevada and across the country are reeling from the … Continue Reading
February 14, 2019
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Renew Effort to Pass Landmark Legislation to Support Women Veterans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Democratic Senate colleagues to introduce the bipartisan Deborah Sampson Act to support women veterans. "Women are the fastest growing veteran population, yet they still face unique challenges when transitioning out of the military, accessing medical care from the VA and receiving support services," said Senator Cortez Masto. "The Deborah Sampson Act, named after a … Continue Reading
February 14, 2019
Cortez Masto Statement on Border Security Deal
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Senate passed a bipartisan agreement to fund border security and in response to reports that President Trump is planning to declare a national emergency and redirect critical funds to build his ineffective and expensive border wall. "I'm disappointed that the President is considering turning his back on this bipartisan agreement by declaring a national emergency of his own making. This … Continue Reading
February 14, 2019
Cortez Masto Statement on Barr Confirmation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after she voted against the confirmation of William Barr as U.S. Attorney General. "An essential quality for an Attorney General is the ability to remain independent and impartial. Mr. Barr's decision to write an unsolicited memo criticizing the Mueller investigation, in what appears to be an effort to curry favor with this President, shows he cannot be the guarantor of justice. And his concerning … Continue Reading
