In The News
Cortez Masto: McConnell Bill Fails to Offer Key Support to Nevadans at a Time It’s Needed Most
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) issued the following statement after joining her colleagues in voting against Senator McConnell's inadequate relief package. "Senator McConnell held up action on vital coronavirus relief legislation all summer. Rather than negotiate a bipartisan bill to help all Nevadans, he offered a slimmed-down package that does nothing to provide relief for renters and homeowners facing eviction, nor support state, local and tribal … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Cortez Masto Applauds USDOT Grant of $23 Million for Pyramid Highway Project
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today announced a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) BUILD grant award of $23 million to fund construction on the Pyramid Highway Project in Washoe County, Nevada. This project, directed by the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (RTC), is intended to connect Pyramid Highway to U.S. Route 395, as well as include other improvements to reduce traffic, and improve safety. "I'm … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Cortez Masto Applauds $1.8 Million for Mental Health Education in Nevada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $1,800,000 to the Nevada Department of Education to fund programs to increase mental health education. Working alongside state and community partners, the Department of Education will use the funds to increase mental health awareness, screening, and connections to community-based mental health services. "I'm glad … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Cortez Masto Leads Call for More Funding for Local Transportation in Future Coronavirus Relief Packages
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), joined by Senate Environment and Public Works Ranking Member Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), as well as fellow Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen and nine other colleagues, has led a letter calling on Congressional leadership to include funding for local transportation in future coronavirus relief legislation. State and local governments, including state Departments of Transportation, have seen their revenues drop due to COVID-19. In order … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Cortez Masto Pushes for Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Federal Jobs Act introduced by U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) to establish a government wide initiative to promote diversity and inclusion in the federal workforce and for other purposes. "In order to best serve the American public, our federal government needs to reflect the diversity of its people and communities. In 2016, about 36% of all federal employees were people of color and only 35.5% were women, but … Continue Reading
September 09, 2020
Cortez Masto Delivers Message to America’s Veterans & Service Members in Nevada, Across the Country
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) spoke on the Senate floor today in order to honor the service and sacrifice of the American armed forces and highlight President Trump's history of concerning comments about the military. BACKGROUND: Senator Cortez Masto has joined Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) in a resolution to honor the service and sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces and veterans and condemn any comments by President … Continue Reading
September 09, 2020
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill Authorizing $11.5 Billion in Emergency Homeless Assistance Grants
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored legislation introduced by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) to assist state and local governments responding to the needs of families and individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis. The Public Health Emergency Shelter Act of 2020 authorizes emergency homeless assistance grants to help respond to the public health emergency related to COVID-19. "Nevada continues to be one of the hardest hit … Continue Reading
September 09, 2020
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill Requiring Federal Reserve to Address Racial Inequality
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored legislation introduced by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) to require the Federal Reserve to use its authorities to address racial inequality and disparities in economic outcomes. The Federal Reserve Racial and Economic Equality Act would require the Fed to consider racial disparities when making decisions and report on these disparities in its semi-annual reporting. … Continue Reading
September 03, 2020
Cortez Masto, Horsford, Castro Conduct Congressional Oversight Visit at the Nevada Southern Detention Center
Pahrump, Nev. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) conducted a congressional oversight visit at the Nevada Southern Detention Center in Pahrump, NV in an effort to bring transparency to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) treatment of its detainees. Members toured the detention center to examine the conditions of the facility after reports of a growing number … Continue Reading
September 03, 2020
Cortez Masto Applauds $1.2 Million Grant to Make Reno-Tahoe Airport Greener
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today announced that the Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) Program of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded Reno-Tahoe International Airport $1,239,000 to install electric charging stations for ground-support equipment. "I'm glad to see Reno-Tahoe airport get these federal funds for clean technology that will reduce air pollution and help keep Nevadans healthy. I continue to work in the Senate to get … Continue Reading
September 02, 2020
Cortez Masto Applauds Over $1.1 Million in Grant Funding for Nevada Hispanic-Serving Institutions
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today announced two grants totaling $1,142,529 awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to Nevada colleges for the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Program. The first grant of $600,000 was awarded to the College of Southern Nevada and the second grant of $542,529 was awarded to Nevada State College. The DHSI Program provides grants to assist Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to expand educational opportunities … Continue Reading
September 02, 2020
Cortez Masto Announces Over $1 Million in HHS Grants to Fund Alzheimer’s Public Health Programs and Medical Research
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced three U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants totaling $1,038,959. The first grant of $200,000 was awarded to the Nevada Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) to fund public health programs to address Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias through the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act which was introduced by Senator Cortez Masto and passed into law in 2018. The second two grants were … Continue Reading
September 02, 2020
Cortez Masto Announces Agreement to Create New Elko Veterans Cemetery, Highlights Her Efforts to Spur the VA to Action
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced an agreement has been made by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that the agency will acquire the land necessary to begin construction of a National Veterans Cemetery in Elko, Nevada. This week, the Senator requested a briefing with the VA to confirm their intentions, and is proud to announce this agreement that will provide Nevada's rural veterans with a crucial burial option in their own community. In July, … Continue Reading
September 02, 2020
Virtual Nevada Tour 2020: Cortez Masto Celebrates Completion of Virtual Tour of All 17 Nevada Counties
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) celebrated the completion of her virtual tour of all 17 Nevada counties. During the past seven days, the Senator has attended virtual tours of local businesses and non-profits across Nevada, participated in teleconferences with community officials and government representatives, and hosted virtual roundtable discussions with Nevada conservationists, veterans and health professionals. "Nevada is defined by the diversity and … Continue Reading
September 01, 2020
Virtual Nevada Tour 2020: Cortez Masto Visits Lincoln & Clark Counties on 7th Day of Virtual Tour
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today wrapped up the seventh day of her Virtual Nevada Tour 2020 with stops in Lincoln and Clark counties. The Senator began her day conducting a conference call with Clark County School District Superintendent Jesus Jara to get an update on virtual instruction. In addition, the Senator held phone meetings with local leaders in Lincoln county and conducted virtual roundtables on outdoor recreation, behavioral health and child … Continue Reading
September 01, 2020
Virtual Nevada Tour 2020: Cortez Masto Hosts Virtual Behavioral Health Roundtable With Organizations Supporting Nevadans
Las Vegas, Nev. - As part of her Virtual Nevada Tour, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today hosted a virtual roundtable discussion with mental health providers and organizations supporting Nevadans with mental health treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to greater isolation, financial insecurity and uncertainty for Nevadans. Additionally, staff shortages are a key challenge facing mental health providers. State-certified peer support specialists, ones who use their own … Continue Reading
September 01, 2020
Cortez Masto Applauds $18 Million in Grants for Nevadans’ Health
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded grants totaling $18,096,031 to health organizations across the state of Nevada. These grants will go to prevent and treat substance use disorders, support the community health centers that have been at the forefront of fighting the coronavirus pandemic, assist those living with HIV/AIDS, and monitor water quality to protect public … Continue Reading
August 31, 2020
Virtual Nevada Tour 2020: Cortez Masto Visits Esmeralda and Nye Counties on 6th Day of Virtual Tour
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today wrapped up the sixth day of her Virtual Nevada Tour 2020 with stops at Nye and Esmeralda counties. The Senator began her day by attending a virtual briefing to learn more about the Gemfield Resources Project, a new gold mining operation in Goldfield, Nevada. The briefing was followed by a virtual roundtable discussion hosted by Senator Cortez Masto with veterans from the Pahrump community on their telehealth experience with … Continue Reading
August 31, 2020
Virtual Nevada Tour 2020: Cortez Masto Hosts Virtual Roundtable With Veterans to Discuss Telehealth Services
Las Vegas, Nev. - As part of her Virtual Nevada Tour, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today hosted a virtual roundtable discussion with veterans from the Pahrump community who use the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care services. Since the COVID-19pandemic began, the VA Southern Healthcare System (VASNHS) has prioritized transitioning available appointments for health care and mental health to virtual and telephone. The conversation was focused on veterans' telehealth experience … Continue Reading
August 31, 2020
Cortez Masto Calls Out FCC for Shortchanging Tribes on Tribal Broadband Application Deadline
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), U.S. Representative Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and a bicameral group of lawmakers calling out the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for shortchanging Tribes on the Tribal broadband application deadline. In a letter to the FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the lawmakers cite challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic and call for a full 180-day extension from the original August 3, 2020, 2.5 GHz … Continue Reading
