Press Releases
Cortez Masto, Heller Request Additional DOJ Funding to Cover Overtime Costs of Law Enforcement Response to Las Vegas Shooting
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, asking for additional funding from the Department of Justice to cover overtime hours worked by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Clark County, including the Clark County Fire Department, for their response to the October 1st shooting. The DOJ recently announced a grant award of $1 million to the State of Nevada to assist with the … Continue Reading
October 17, 2017
Cortez Masto, Heller Submit Letter to the Social Security Administration Requesting Formal Public Notice as to How It Intends to Assist Las Vegas Attack Victims, Families
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) sent a letter today to Nancy A. Berryhill, Acting Commissioner of Social Security Administration and Steve Breen, Acting San Francisco Regional Commissioner (Region IX), requesting a formal public notice or an announcement regarding how it intends to assist the victims and the families of the Las Vegas attack, including special procedures for expedited enrollment and claims processing. "In response to … Continue Reading
October 17, 2017
Cortez Masto, Commerce Committee Democrats Call for FCC Oversight Hearing to Address President Trump’s Threat to Press Freedom
Senators: "FCC Chairman's failure to quickly denounce threats raises questions about FCC's ability to act independently under Chairman Pai" Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and other members of the Senate Commerce Committee, in calling on the Chairman and Ranking Member of the committee to hold an FCC oversight hearing to highlight President Trump's attacks on … Continue Reading
October 17, 2017
Cortez Masto, Heller Urge VA to Support Veterans Impacted by Las Vegas Shooting
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) today urged the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that all military veterans impacted by the mass shooting in Las Vegas on October 1, 2017, have access to the health care, benefits, and assistance they may need as they recover from the tragedy. In a letter sent to VA Secretary David J. Shulkin, Heller and Cortez Masto applauded the local VA hospital and Vet Centers for their response to … Continue Reading
October 17, 2017
VIDEO: Cortez Masto Calls for Stronger Consumer Protections in Wake of Equifax Data Breach
"We have to do a better job of protecting individuals, data, and information, because if you are the victim of identity theft, you may have to spend the rest of your life trying to reclaim your identity." "What it comes down to is this: shouldn't the consumer have the absolute right to control their information and how it's being used?" Washington, D.C. - In today's Banking, Housing, and Urban Development Committee Hearing, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) called for stronger … Continue Reading
October 17, 2017
Cortez Masto, Capito Introduce Legislation to Encourage Young Women to Pursue STEM Education
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) released the following statement announcing Code Like a Girl Act, legislation that will create two National Science Foundation (NSF) grant programs to encourage young girls to pursue computer science. A companion bill, H.R. 3316, was introduced by Rep. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) in the House of Representatives. "The idea that science, tech, engineering or math are gendered is patently false, and we … Continue Reading
October 16, 2017
Cortez Masto, Heller Introduce Resolution in Honor of Las Vegas Shooting Victims
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Dean Heller (R-NV) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) today introduced a bipartisan resolution memorializing the victims of the mass shooting in Las Vegas, on October 1st, 2017. The resolution also recognizes the bravery of all first-responders, law enforcement officials, and emergency medical technicians on the scene, as well as the countless staff at local hospitals and hotels who assisted in the response. "The victims, their families, and the Las Vegas … Continue Reading
October 16, 2017
Cortez Masto Hosts Mentorship Initiative Meeting with LGBTQ Staffers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) hosted her fourth Cafecito con Catherine meeting with LGBTQ congressional staff as part of her mentorship series. Senator Cortez Masto discussed challenges faced by women-identified, transgender, and gender non-binary staff in an effort to improve and help advance their career opportunities. Over the past ten months, Cortez Masto has held roundtables with Latina, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and African American women … Continue Reading
October 16, 2017
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Urge Treasury IG to Investigate Noreika’s SGE Status
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined today Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Robert Menéndez (D-N.J.), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) in signing a letter asking the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of the Inspector General initiate an investigation into the misapplication of Special Government Employee (SGE) status with regard to Acting Comptroller of the … Continue Reading
October 13, 2017
Cortez Masto, Senate Democrats File Amicus Brief in Support of Planned Parenthood
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who led a group of 23 Senate Democrats in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in the case of Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas Family Planning and Preventive Health Services, Inc. et al v. Charles Smith et al. In 2016, Texas revoked Planned Parenthood's status as a qualified medical provider for Texans on Medicaid. While the … Continue Reading
October 13, 2017
Cortez Masto Applauds Economic Development, Water, and Waste Disposal Grants for North Las Vegas & Yerington
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the Economic Development Administration and USDA for awarding over $3.7 million in economic and rural development grants to assist in the construction of waste systems in North Las Vegas and the replacement of sewer collection lines in the City of Yerington. These investments will provide upgraded infrastructure in industrial areas in North Las Vegas and improve outdated infrastructure in Yerington that has led to health … Continue Reading
October 13, 2017
Cortez Masto Applauds USDA Loan for Rural Development
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement applauding a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development loan of $500,000 to two counties in Nevada. The loan's funds will provide 30-year loans at 1 percent interest to small businesses in rural Clark and Washoe Counties, with a focus on minority- and women-owned businesses. "Historically, rural businesses, especially those owned by women and minorities, have faced unfair barriers in … Continue Reading
October 13, 2017
Cortez Masto Statement on Trump’s Decision to Decertify Iran Nuclear Deal
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after President Trump announced his plans to decertify the Iran nuclear deal, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and his Administration's new proposed strategy for Iran: "Two years ago, I announced my support for the Iran nuclear deal because it was the best option we had to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Since then, the U.S. government and international monitors have … Continue Reading
October 13, 2017
Cortez Masto: Trump Decision to End Cost-Sharing Payments Will Hurt Working Families
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) issued the following statement in response to President Trump's announcement that he will end cost-sharing subsidies that help American families afford health insurance: "The president's latest efforts to sabotage the Affordable Care Act will make it harder for tens of millions of Americans, including tens of thousands of Nevadans, to access the healthcare they need. Instead of working with Congress to lower costs and premiums, … Continue Reading
October 13, 2017
Cortez Masto Applauds $19.5 Million EPA Grant for Nevada Water Infrastructure Projects
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement applauding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's $19.5 million grant to improve Nevada's drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, and water pollution reduction programs. "Investments in our state's water infrastructure to ensure it is up to date and well-maintained is essential to the safety and health of all Nevadans," said Senator Cortez Masto. "I commend the EPA for highlighting the … Continue Reading
October 12, 2017
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
