In The News
Cortez Masto, Burr, Sinema, Gardner & Rep. DeSaulnier Introduce Moving FIRST Act to Promote Innovation in America’s Transportation Systems
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) today introduced the Moving and Fostering Innovation to Revolutionize Smarter Transportation (Moving FIRST) Act. The Moving FIRST Act creates a competitive grant program for large and medium-sized cities as well as rural communities to seek federal grants for the creation of efficient, creative and innovative transportation projects. A companion bill is … Continue Reading
June 20, 2019
Cortez Masto Applauds Over $27 Million in 2019 PILT Payments for Nevada’s Rural Counties
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement today highlighting the Department of the Interior's announcement that 17 counties in Nevada will receive $27,250,038 in Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) payments. These funds - an increase of $250,000 from 2018 - will be used by local governments to manage the federal lands in their jurisdictions and invest in economic and community development projects. "The Department of the Interior's PILT … Continue Reading
June 20, 2019
Cortez Masto, Gillibrand, Markey, Blumenthal Introduce Legislation to Require Alternatives to Immigrant Detention
Washington, D.C. - In response to unprecedented levels of immigrants being detained around the country and startling reports of neglect and mistreatment at immigrant detention centers, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today introduced legislation to create a presumption in favor of the use of alternatives to detention for asylum seekers, migrant children and families, and other vulnerable groups. … Continue Reading
June 19, 2019
Cortez Masto Urges Senate Leaders to Prioritize Clean Energy Tax Credits to Boost U.S. Solar Industry
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) led a letter with nineteen Democratic senators to Senate Leaders Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Finance leaders Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) requesting continued investments in the Investment Tax Credit and residential renewable energy tax credit, specifically citing its importance to the growth of the U.S. solar industry. In their letter, the senators urged Senate leaders to … Continue Reading
June 19, 2019
Cortez Masto to McConnell: Pass the Background Check Expansion Act Now
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor urging her colleagues to support the Background Check Expansion Act. This bill would require a background check for every firearm sale, closing the existing loophole that allows private sellers to sell guns without such a check. Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery. Senator Cortez Masto's remarks are available in both AUDIO AND VIDEO FORMAT. You may download video of the speech HERE … Continue Reading
June 19, 2019
Cortez Masto Applauds Grant to Preserve Nevada’s Wetlands
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the Department of the Interior for awarding Ducks Unlimited and its partners in the Lahontan Valley $868,863 in North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant funding to preserve western Nevada's wetlands. The grant funding will be matched by over $1 million in private partner funds and will be used to help improve the management of 3,975 acres of marsh that are home to dozens of species of migratory … Continue Reading
June 19, 2019
Cortez Masto Honors Juneteenth 2019
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement commemorating Juneteenth. Senator Cortez Masto is a cosponsor of a resolution designating June 19th, 2019 as Juneteenth Independence Day in recognition of June 19, 1865, the date on which news of the end of slavery reached the last enslaved African and African descendant people in the Southwestern States. "In recognition of this important anniversary, we must remember the sanctity of the hard-won … Continue Reading
June 18, 2019
Cortez Masto and Rep. Loebsack Introduce Renew America’s Schools Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) introduced the Renew America's Schools Act, legislation to provide crucial support to America's schools to make critical infrastructure upgrades that improve energy efficiency and reduce costs. "There is no greater investment we can make than providing more funding to our schools in Nevada, and throughout the country," said Senator Cortez Masto. "Nevada is a leader in the use of … Continue Reading
June 18, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Combat Surging Premiums, Expand Access to Health Care
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored legislation that would make health care more affordable and expand access to critical medical services. Introduced by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act increases the value of tax credits for families who are currently eligible for federal assistance, which helps offset the costs of monthly insurance premiums and expands eligibility for premium tax credits to … Continue Reading
June 17, 2019
Cortez Masto, Senators Demand HUD Continue to Protect Housing Rights for Transgender Individuals
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) in demanding that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rescind its proposal that would weaken discrimination protections in HUD-funded emergency and temporary homeless shelters based on sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity. "Transgender individuals in the United States face … Continue Reading
June 17, 2019
Cortez Masto Attends Immigrant Resource Fair to Highlight Services Available in Northern Nevada
Reno, Nev. - On Saturday, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) attended an immigrant resource fair at Little Flower Catholic Church in Reno. She met with community partners, church officials and congregation members to discuss her new Immigrant Resource Guide, which helps Nevadans navigate the immigration system, learn their rights, and access immigration, medical and crisis services in Nevada. "Every day I'm reminded of the sacrifices made by my grandfather who crossed the Rio Grande … Continue Reading
June 15, 2019
Cortez Masto Celebrates Juneteenth in Reno
Reno, Nev. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) participated in Reno's thirtieth annual Juneteenth celebration, hosted by the Northern Nevada Black Cultural Awareness Society (NNBCAS). Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day that news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached the last enslaved African and African descendant people in Galveston, Texas. "In recognition of this important anniversary, we must remember the sanctity of the hard-won freedom earned by … Continue Reading
June 15, 2019
Cortez Masto to McConnell on 7th Anniversary of DACA: Bring the Dream and Promise Act Up for a Vote
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement marking the 7th anniversary of the announcement of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. "Seven years ago, DACA opened the door for thousands of undocumented youth in Nevada to come out of the shadows and contribute to our communities in so many ways - from opening small businesses, to becoming teachers in our schools and serving our country in the military. Now, the Trump … Continue Reading
June 14, 2019
Cortez Masto Welcomes New Citizens on Flag Day in Reno
Reno, Nev. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) delivered a keynote address at the Washoe County Courthouse annual Flag Day celebration, which included a naturalization ceremony for 50 new U.S. citizens. The event was hosted by the Second Judicial District Court and the U.S. District Court. "Immigrants enlarge our vision of who we live with, work with, and worship with. I truly believe that every generation of immigrants enriches the fabric of our nation. Today, as we … Continue Reading
June 14, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Modernize Voting Systems and Protect Against Electoral Interference
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today cosponsored legislation to strengthen the security of our voting systems and bolster federal funding to protect against attacks on America's elections. Introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), the Election Security Act provides grants to states to modernize their election infrastructure so every vote cast in federal elections is secure. "America's elections continue to be the targets of bad actors abroad who want to … Continue Reading
June 14, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Expand Access and Remove Financial Obstacles to Naturalization
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today cosponsored legislation to preserve and expand access to citizenship by removing financial barriers. Introduced by Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), the Citizenship Affordability Act ensures legal residents who are eligible but struggle to afford naturalization can access waivers to reduce or eliminate fees associated with the process. "America is a nation of immigrants from all walks of life. We shouldn't be putting … Continue Reading
June 14, 2019
Cortez Masto, Schumer, Klobuchar and Hassan Introduce Legislation to Deter Illegal Robocalls
Cortez Masto, Schumer, Klobuchar and Hassan Introduce the DO NOT Call Act of 2019 Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today introduced the Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious, and Outrageous Telephone (DO NOT) Call Act of 2019 with Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.). This legislation will improve enforcement and enhance penalties for violations made under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Though the current … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Cortez Masto Calls for Critical Funding & Federal Coordination to Combat Wild & Rangeland Fires at Hearing
Washington, D.C. - At today's hearing of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned Mrs. Shawna Legarza, Director of Fire and Aviation Management at U.S. Forest Service, and Mr. Jeff Rupert, Director of the Office of Wildland Fire at the U.S. Department of the Interior, on funding for fighting and preventing rangeland fires. The Senator highlighted the need for rangeland fires, which account for 75% of all the acres burned in the … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Cortez Masto, Senators to CFPB: Data Critical To Ensuring Housing Access For All Americans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and 17 other senators in demanding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rescind its proposal to further reduce reporting under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). "We are extremely concerned that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has once again put the interests of the financial industry above those of the consumers it is charged to protect. We urge you to immediately … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Strengthen Tribal and Federal Coordination and Reduce Violence in Native Communities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today cosponsored legislation expanding coordination between tribal and federal law enforcement to support federal, state and local efforts to respond to violence in Native communities. Introduced by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Ranking Member Tom Udall (D-N.M.), the BADGES for Native Communities Act improves data collection and information sharing, promotes tribal outreach and empowers tribal law enforcement with … Continue Reading
