Press Releases
Cortez Masto Statement on Lawsuit Against HUD’s Suspension of Fair Housing Rule
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in response to the National Fair Housing Alliance's lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's suspension of an Obama-era anti-discrimination rule: "In January, Secretary Ben Carson abruptly suspended the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule with no alternative proposals, no timeline for public input and no regard for the well-being of millions of Americans … Continue Reading
May 07, 2018
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Raise Concerns Over USCIS Plan for New Oversight Division
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) led her colleagues in sending a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Nielsen expressing concerns about the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS) plan to establish an internal oversight division to supervise the agency's caseworkers and reports that such a unit may be used to discourage caseworkers from using discretion when deciding immigration cases. "While robust oversight to prevent waste, … Continue Reading
May 04, 2018
Cortez Masto Statement on Cinco de Mayo 2018
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in commemoration of Cinco de Mayo, which falls on Saturday, May 5th. Cortez Masto is a cosponsor of the 2018 Senate resolution recognizing the historical significance of the Cinco de Mayo holiday and celebrating the importance of Mexican-American culture. "On this day in 1862, outnumbered and under equipped Mexican forces defeated the French army at the Battle of Puebla, handing them a decisive victory … Continue Reading
May 04, 2018
Cortez Masto Attends James D. Hoff Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) attended the 31st Annual James D. Hoff Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony. The ceremony is held to honor Nevada law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty and survivors who were involved in violent incidents. "It was an honor to work closely alongside our local heroes as a member of law enforcement when I served as Nevada's attorney general," said Cortez Masto. "That experience allowed me to see firsthand the challenges and … Continue Reading
May 04, 2018
Cortez Masto: Trump Tearing Apart Hardworking Families
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Department of Homeland Security announced today that it would end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 57,000 Honduran nationals: "President Trump's TPS decision is an attack on hardworking families in Nevada. Honduran nationals receiving TPS work in our communities and strengthen our state. These families fled violence to rebuild their lives and provide a better future for their … Continue Reading
May 03, 2018
Cortez Masto Urges Congress to Support Fair Housing Initiatives
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in a letter urging Congress to provide full funding for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), which is run out of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and helps Americans gain access to housing. FHIP is the only federal program that supports the work of qualified nonprofit fair housing organizations throughout the nation to educate the public and … Continue Reading
May 03, 2018
Cortez Masto: Voices of Women Small Business Owners in Nevada Must be Heard
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined women small business leaders in the technology industry to highlight small business week and discuss the importance of net neutrality in Reno today. In their conversation, women small business leaders shared challenges and opportunities for their businesses, highlighted the importance of mentorship, counseling, access to capital, and support for women and minority entrepreneurs, and discussed the potential detrimental impact on … Continue Reading
May 02, 2018
Cortez Masto, Senators Urge Fed Inspector General to Investigate Mulvaney’s Close Ties with Payday Loan Industry
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) sent a letter to Mark Bialek, Inspector General of the Federal Reserve System, urging him to investigate Mick Mulvaney's actions as President Trump's appointed 'acting director' at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) after reports surfaced that Mulvaney has taken numerous actions to benefit payday lenders. Mulvaney has delayed the implementation of the CFPB's 'Payday Rule' designed to protect consumers from predatory … Continue Reading
May 02, 2018
Cortez Masto Meets with UnitedHealthcare, Highlights Generosity After 1October Tragedy
Senator Cortez Masto meets with Nevada UnitedHealthcare CEO Donald J. Giancursio Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after her tour of UnitedHealthcare's BriovaRx of Nevada's Specialty Pharmacy: "I want to thank UnitedHealthcare for inviting me to tour their facility yesterday and for their work to relieve the burden of healthcare costs for victims and survivors of the massacre at the Route 91 Harvest Festival. Our community came … Continue Reading
May 02, 2018
Cortez Masto: DACA Lawsuit Nothing Less Than an Attack on Nevada Families
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement today after a coalition of seven states, led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit yesterday challenging the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that threatens to deny Dreamers the ability to renew their status and could cancel work permits for thousands of DACA recipients in Nevada, and hundreds of thousands throughout the country: "Attorney General Paxton's … Continue Reading
May 01, 2018
Cortez Masto Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement today celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which is commemorated every May: "Nevada is home to a vibrant and diverse Asian Pacific American community. During the month of May, Nevadans come together to celebrate the cultures, foods, people, and centuries-old traditions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. Throughout Nevada, their achievements and contributions are growing our … Continue Reading
April 30, 2018
Cortez Masto Celebrates Young Americans on El Día del Niño
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement today celebrating el Día del Niño. Cortez Masto is an original cosponsor of the 2018 Senate resolution designating April 30th as "El Día del Niño, Celebrating Young Americans" to recognize the importance of investing in cross-cultural, community-based education for our youth. "On this day, we recognize that all children, no matter their backgrounds, deserve a world … Continue Reading
April 27, 2018
Cortez Masto Tells Defense Secretary Mattis Transgender Troop Ban is Harmful to Military
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in a letter to Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis opposing his implementation recommendations for President Trump's transgender ban and decrying the ban overall. The senators' letter follows statements by the Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force and Commandant of the Marine Corps asserting that open transgender service has had no negative effect on unit cohesion, discipline, or … Continue Reading
April 26, 2018
Cortez Masto Introduces Legislation to Increase Transparency of Presidential Pardons
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced the Abuse of the Pardon Prevention Act, legislation that will add transparency and accountability to the pardon process in cases involving investigations of the President or his relatives. "I am deeply troubled by indications that President Trump may use his pardon powers as a tool to obstruct justice or derail ongoing investigations against his campaign, businesses and personal … Continue Reading
April 26, 2018
Cortez Masto: Mr. President, Nevada Veterans Deserve Better
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement today in response to Dr. Ronny Jackson's withdrawal as the nominee to lead the United States Department of Veterans Affairs: "Let's be clear: the President of the United States nominated an individual for VA Secretary that reportedly drunkenly crashed a government-owned vehicle; to steer one of the biggest federal agencies that serves our veterans. I supported Secretary Shulkin for his commitment … Continue Reading
April 25, 2018
Cortez Masto, Tillis Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Broaden Pool of Main Street Investors
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) introduced bipartisan legislation that would expand the number of Americans who are allowed to invest in our nation's small businesses by allowing individuals who have relevant education, professional expertise, and other credentials to invest. Under current law, an individual must be deemed an "accredited investor" to invest in a private offering of securities, but under the Securities Act of 1933, an … Continue Reading
April 25, 2018
Cortez Masto: HUD Secretary Ben Carson is Playing Reverse Robin Hood, Taking from Poor to Give to Rich
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement today in response to the news that U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson will propose a plan to force low-income families to meet a work requirement and pay more for federal housing: "Secretary Ben Carson is trying to play Reverse Robin Hood in his role as the leader of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The proposal he plans to introduce could triple the rent … Continue Reading
April 25, 2018
Cortez Masto Raises Concerns Over Potential Conflicts of Interest Related to the White House’s Office of American Innovation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation and Gary C. Peters (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management, sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly raising concerns over the White House's Office of American Innovation (OAI). Several reports indicate that the office has consistently refused to answer questions about potential … Continue Reading
April 24, 2018
Cortez Masto Statement on Pompeo Nomination
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on the nomination of CIA Director Mike Pompeo to serve as Secretary of State: "America's Chief Diplomat needs to believe in the power of diplomacy. Mike Pompeo has a history of advocating for reckless and ignorant policies that put American troops at risk and undermine American values abroad. Director Pompeo has repeatedly defended torture, attacked Muslims for their faith, worked against the … Continue Reading
April 24, 2018
Cortez Masto: Kochs' Dark Web of Money Flows Through the LIBRE Initiative to Deceive Latinos
"The Koch brothers and their web of dark money organizations like LIBRE are deceiving Latinos and supporting the very same politicians who are working against Latino families." Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) delivered a speech on the Senate floor to shine a light on the Koch brothers' work to spread falsehoods aimed at undermining American democracy. Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery: There's an old saying that, "There's no such thing as a … Continue Reading
