Press Releases
Cortez Masto, Heller Call on Health Insurance Executives to Assist Las Vegas Shooting Victims with Health Care Coverage
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) sent a letter to top executives of America's Health Insurance Plans and Blue Cross Blue Shield, asking that they do whatever they can to help victims of the Las Vegas shooting, many of whom have traveled from other states, with any potential out-of-network charges, co-payments and deductibles. "Given that Las Vegas is a top tourist destination visited by nearly 43 million visitors each year, many of the … Continue Reading
October 12, 2017
Cortez Masto Condemns Trump Executive Order to Disrupt American Health Care System
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement denouncing President Trump's executive order on healthcare: "Instead of working in a bipartisan manner to reform our healthcare system, President Trump has chosen to openly sabotage the Affordable Care Act, putting the healthcare of tens of millions of Americans in jeopardy. "Today's executive order will further destabilize our healthcare system by deregulating association health plans and … Continue Reading
October 12, 2017
Sens. Cortez Masto, Heller, Urge Leaders of the Mortgage Industry to Provide Relief to Victims of Las Vegas Massacre
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) sent a letter to leaders of the mortgage industry requesting that they provide relief and financial assistance to victims of the mass shooting that occurred at the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas on October 1st, 2017. In the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history, hundreds of families are now burdened with funeral costs, medical bills, and emotional trauma that may … Continue Reading
October 11, 2017
Cortez Masto, Warren, Murphy Lead Colleagues in Urging NIH to Renew Funding for Firearm Violence Research
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) today led 24 of their colleagues in urging the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to renew a recently-lapsed funding opportunity for firearm violence research. Following the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, President Barack Obama directed the Department of Health and Human Services to research the causes of gun violence and how it can be … Continue Reading
October 10, 2017
Cortez Masto Statement on EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s Decision to Roll Back the Clean Power Plan
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's decision to rescind the Clean Power Plan: "The repeal of the Clean Power Plan is not only a major threat to public health, it neglects our moral obligation to address the growing threat of climate change. In Nevada, our communities, as well as our outdoor recreation economy, are acutely threatened by climate change. Our clean energy economy, and the well-paying … Continue Reading
October 05, 2017
Cortez Masto Statement on National Rifle Association Announcement
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement welcoming the National Rifle Association's (NRA) announcement that the organization will support common sense gun safety measures on bump fire stocks in the wake of the tragedy at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas: "I welcome the announcement from the National Rifle Association that they will support a common sense gun safety measure that keeps Nevadans safe and ends a loophole that … Continue Reading
October 05, 2017
Cortez Masto, Heller Send Follow-Up Letter to Airlines Requesting Further Aid for Victims and Families of Las Vegas Massacre
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) sent a follow-up letter to major airline industry leaders today requesting additional considerations for those wounded and the families of those killed in the attack in Las Vegas. These follow-up requests include that airlines send personnel to the convention center to support families and that the airlines provide discounted transportation charges for the remains of those slain so that families may bury … Continue Reading
October 05, 2017
Cortez Masto Statement on Importance of Donating Blood in Wake of Las Vegas Attack
Senator Cortez Masto donates blood at United Blood Services in Las Vegas. Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement encouraging Nevadan's to donate blood to ensure that medical professionals have their needs met over the days and weeks to come: "As I have met with nurses and doctors in the wake of the tragic events in Las Vegas, one important thing they have told me is that they will need blood donations in the days and weeks to come. … Continue Reading
October 04, 2017
Cortez Masto: Congress Must Protect the Public Safety of the American People
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored a bill, the Automatic Gun Fire Prevention Act, led by Senator Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) to ban devices used to modify semi-automatic weapons so that they fire at the rate of an automatic weapon. This includes banning the use and sale of the "bump stock" device which converts semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons. Under federal law, it is illegal to buy fully automatic firearms without a special permit … Continue Reading
October 03, 2017
Cortez Masto, Heller Urge Airline Industry to Aid Las Vegas Massacre Victims, Families
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) today urged the leaders of the commercial airline industry to implement various policy changes to aid the families of those affected by Sunday's massacre at the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas. "We wish to thank you for your efforts to date in helping passengers who have flown into Las Vegas under these difficult circumstances or requested that their flight plans change," said the senators. "With … Continue Reading
October 02, 2017
Cortez Masto Statement on Route 91 Harvest Festival Attack
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in response to the shooting at the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas last night, which according to news reports has left 50 dead and over 200 injured: "My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and wounded in last night's vicious and senseless attack outside the Mandalay Bay Resort. I thank the first responders for taking down the gunman and working tirelessly to treat … Continue Reading
September 30, 2017
Cortez Masto Celebrates Nevada Public Lands Day
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in celebration of the first official Nevada Public Lands Day: "Every year, thousands of Nevadans and millions of visitors from all over the world come to our state to hike, camp, hunt, fish and explore our beautiful desert landscapes and mountain ranges. Nevada's outdoor recreational economy benefits greatly from the protection of our public lands, generating over 148,000 jobs and contributing … Continue Reading
September 29, 2017
Cortez Masto Applauds Senate Passage of MAIN STREET Cybersecurity Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto applauded the unanimous passage of a bill she co-sponsored, the Making Available Information Now to Strengthen Trust and Resilience and Enhance Enterprise Technology (MAIN STREET) Cybersecurity Act, in the Senate last night. Introduced by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and James Risch (R-Idaho), this bipartisan bill will provide a consistent set of resources for small businesses to best protect their digital assets from … Continue Reading
September 29, 2017
Cortez Masto Delivers Weekly Democratic Address
"I am proud of the efforts of all of our brave first responders - many gave their lives for their communities. I also want to take a moment to thank the many Nevadan's participating in the relief efforts, my best wishes go with the Nevada Army National Guard members from Reno and Carson City, who will soon be headed to Puerto Rico. Your actions make us all proud to be Americans." "To the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, I want to know that you deserve and will have the full … Continue Reading
September 28, 2017
Cortez Masto Announces More than $580,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant for Northern Nevada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement announcing a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant totaling more than $580,000 for Carson City and Walker River in Northern Nevada. "Nevadans will have a better experience exploring our state's parks thanks to the investments made to enhance accessibility and visitor experience. I applaud the National Park Service for prioritizing the improvement of our local parks and for protecting our … Continue Reading
September 28, 2017
Cortez Masto, Colleagues: DeVos’ Decision to Revoke Sexual Assault Guidance “Shows a Clear Lack of Concern” for Survivors
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and 36 of her Senate colleagues sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos slamming her decision to revoke guidance that directs schools on how to handle investigations of sexual assault and urging her to reverse course. Secretary DeVos' decision has undermined the rights of sexual assault survivors and created chaos and confusion for schools. "Your action on Friday shows a clear lack of concern for the many … Continue Reading
September 28, 2017
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bipartisan SURVIVE Act for Tribal Victim Services
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, cosponsored today S. 1870, the Securing Urgent Resources Vital to Indian Victim Empowerment (SURVIVE) Act of 2017. The legislation will improve public safety in tribal communities and strengthen resources for Native American victims of crime. The SURVIVE Act, which is sponsored by Indian Affairs Committee Chairman John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and cosponsored by U.S. Senators John … Continue Reading
September 28, 2017
VIDEO: Cortez Masto Urges Coordination Among Local, State, and Federal Authorities to Crack Down on Human Trafficking in Indian Country
Washington, D.C. - In yesterday's Indian Affairs Committee Hearing, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned expert witnesses about the need to empower state and local officials to work alongside U.S. attorneys to combat human trafficking in Indian country. "Is it fair enough to say that because there are, unfortunately, so many human trafficking incidents, there is more than enough work for U.S. attorneys to do? And it would be much better to allow the District Attorneys and … Continue Reading
September 28, 2017
Cortez Masto, Colleagues to Trump: We Must Do More for Puerto Rico and USVIs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and 39 senators sent a letter to President Trump to express deep concern about the situation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. "We write to express deep concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands," the senators wrote. "In Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria recently knocked out the entire island's electric grid leaving at least 3.4 million Americans with no power, decimated … Continue Reading
September 28, 2017
Cortez Masto Applauds Nearly $15 Million in Federal Grant Funds for Magnet Schools in Clark County
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the United States Department of Education for awarding $14,829,400 over five years to the Clark County School District. These grants will be utilized by magnet schools in Clark County to promote academic achievement among minority and low-income students. "These awards will help young scholars in Southern Nevada develop the skills they need to become our state, and our country's, future leaders," said Sen. Cortez Masto. … Continue Reading
