Press Releases
Cortez Masto Honors Reno Philanthropist Evelyn Mount
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today visited the Evelyn Mount Community Outreach Center and presented founder Evelyn Mount with a Congressional Record Statement honoring her lifetime of service fighting hunger in Reno. "Evelyn Mount has been a pillar of the Reno community for over 40 years and has provided meals to thousands of families in need. I'm proud to honor a woman who has worked tirelessly to ensure that all Reno families have the comfort of a holiday … Continue Reading
October 08, 2018
Cortez Masto Honored by Alliance for Retired Americans
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today was awarded a "Heroes Award" by the Alliance for Retired Americans' for her work in Congress representing the interests of Nevada's seniors and retirees. "The Alliance for Retired Americans works tirelessly to advocate for the financial security, health and wellbeing of Nevada's seniors and retirees. I am honored to receive this award highlighting my commitment to protecting retired Nevadans' hard earned benefits, retirement … Continue Reading
October 08, 2018
Cortez Masto Hosts Roundtable on Domestic Violence with Community Leaders and Advocates
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) hosted a roundtable in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month with community leaders and advocates to discuss the work being done in Northern Nevada to prevent domestic violence and support survivors of abuse. "Far too many women in Nevada are victims of domestic violence each year. Today, I heard from many local leaders on the significant work they are doing to help prevent domestic violence in our communities and provide … Continue Reading
October 06, 2018
Cortez Masto: Confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh an Assault on Independence of Judiciary
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in response to the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. In addition, Senator Cortez Masto spoke on the floor of the United States Senate early Saturday morning to express her opposition to his nomination: "I'm profoundly disappointed the Senate confirmed Judge Brett Kavanaugh. I believe based on his record and testimony his stance on a woman's right to choose is extreme and … Continue Reading
October 06, 2018
Cortez Masto: Kavanaugh’s Extreme Judicial Philosophy Threatens Women, Environment, Separation of Powers & Fundamental Civil Rights
When I watched Judge Kavanagh's testimony, I didn't see a fair and impartial justice. I saw a man who is blinded by rage and ideology. If confirmed, I believe that Judge Kavanaugh's extreme, activist judicial philosophy will pose a threat to women, our environment, our constitutional separation of powers and our fundamental civil rights. I stand with survivors and I believe Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. We must work together in a bipartisan way and restore our constitutional role of advice and … Continue Reading
October 04, 2018
Cortez Masto, Banking Committee Democrats Call for Hearing to Hold Wells Fargo Accountable for Customer Abuses
Senators seek to question bank executives about mass layoffs despite high profits Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined her Democratic colleagues in calling on the Senate Banking Committee to hold a hearing with Wells Fargo CEO Tim Sloan and Chair of the Board of Directors Elizabeth Duke, in the wake of the bank's rampant consumer abuses revealed over the last year. More than a dozen widespread and persistent failures by the bank have come to light since Tim … Continue Reading
October 04, 2018
Cortez Masto Statement on FBI Background Investigation of Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after reviewing the contents of the FBI background investigation into sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. "Today's FBI background investigation only raises more questions about Judge Kavanaugh's character and demonstrates that he is not the right person for the highest Court in America. As a former Attorney General, I know how critical it is to know all of the … Continue Reading
October 04, 2018
Cortez Masto, Rosen Urge DOJ to Protect Access to Voting for Native Americans Following Violation of Voting Rights Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and U.S. Representative Jacky Rosen (NV-03) sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Office of Tribal Justice Director Tracy Toulou, inquiring about the Department of Justice's (DOJ) efforts to secure future voting sites near tribes in Nevada and reduce barriers to voting faced by Native Americans. The letter follows a lawsuit against Nevada Secretary of State Barbara K. Cegavske for violating the Voting Rights Act, … Continue Reading
October 03, 2018
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Address Root Causes of Endemic Violence in Central America, Protect Refugees
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Central American Reform and Enforcement Act, legislation that would provide a coordinated regional response to manage the horrific violence and humanitarian crisis in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The bill would require cooperation between the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of State, to work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees … Continue Reading
October 03, 2018
Cortez Masto, Heller Support Nevada Application to Participate in DOT-FAA Unmanned Traffic Management Pilot Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) sent a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Acting Administrator Daniel Elwell in support of Nevada's application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) Pilot Program (UPP). The State of Nevada UPP application brings together 17 Nevada-based and global companies to launch the first Smart City Unmanned Aircraft … Continue Reading
October 03, 2018
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Native American Voting Rights Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Native American Voting Rights Act of 2018, landmark legislation to provide the necessary resources and oversight to ensure Native Americans have equal access to the electoral process. "Barriers to voting are far too common in Native communities," said Cortez Masto. "We have a responsibility to ensure that every person with the right to vote can cast a ballot. I'm proud to support this bill to protect Native … Continue Reading
October 03, 2018
Cortez Masto Applauds Passage of Two Bipartisan Opioids Bills
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Senate passed bipartisan opioid legislation that include two of her bipartisan bills addressing the opioids crisis. "The legislation signed into law today will enable local communities and law enforcement to take important steps to combat the opioid epidemic in Nevada, and curtail fraud in our healthcare system. I look forward to continuing to work in a bipartisan way to ensure that … Continue Reading
October 03, 2018
Cortez Masto Applauds Passage of Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the Senate's passage of a bipartisan resolution, led by Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), recognizing September 15th through October 15th as a month to celebrate and honor Hispanic culture in the United States. "Hispanics are an inextricable part of the American fabric. In my home state of Nevada, Hispanic traditions and the Spanish language have shaped our identity and culture for hundreds of years," said Senator … Continue Reading
October 03, 2018
Cortez Masto Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Animals on Airplanes Included in Final Passage of FAA Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the passage of her bipartisan bill with Senator John Kennedy (R-La.), the Welfare of Our Furry Friends (WOOFF) Act, in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill. This provision will make it unlawful for any person to place a live animal in an overhead storage compartment of an aircraft. "The prohibition included in this legislation to ensure that live animals are not placed in aircraft overheard … Continue Reading
October 03, 2018
Cortez Masto Touts Innovation State Initiative Provisions Included in FAA Reauthorization
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement applauding the Senate passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill. Cortez Masto introduced several bipartisan provisions and cosponsored amendments to advance her Innovation State Initiative, which were included in the final version of the bill. "The final FAA package is a victory for Nevada and will strengthen the state's leadership in innovation and technology. I … Continue Reading
October 02, 2018
Cortez Masto Applauds $790,000 CDC Grant for Southern Nevada Health District to Address Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for awarding the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) $791,860, as one of its 31 funding recipients for the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program. The program works to reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic populations by implementing community-based approaches, including increasing access to healthy foods, promoting health … Continue Reading
October 02, 2018
Cortez Masto Applauds DOJ Grants to Help Nevada Law Enforcement Reduce Gun Violence and Improve Juvenile Justice Programs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today applauded the Department of Justice (DOJ) for awarding Nevada law enforcement agencies with two grants supporting programs aimed at crime prevention and juvenile delinquency prevention and intervention efforts. The Reno Police Department was awarded $668,968 in grant funding to implement strategies to reduce gun violence. In addition, $411,267 was awarded to the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of … Continue Reading
October 02, 2018
Cortez Masto, Menendez Criticize Bank of America’s Policy of Questioning Customers’ Citizenship Status
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined fellow member of the Senate Banking Committee Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) today in requesting information from Bank of America on their newly implemented policy of asking their customers' citizenship status. According to recent consumer reports, if customers fail to respond or if Bank of America determines the customer has not adequately responded to their inquiry, the customer's account is then frozen, leaving them … Continue Reading
October 02, 2018
Cortez Masto Applauds Senate Passage of Legislation to Address Backlog of Violent Crime Cases
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on the passage of the Justice Served Act of 2018, legislation that she cosponsored to increase the capacity of prosecutors to address the backlog of violent crime cases involving suspects identified through DNA evidence. "This bill will help victims and families dealing with unsolved crimes finally get the justice and closure they deserve, and exonerate those wrongfully convicted of crimes they … Continue Reading
October 02, 2018
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Permanently Extend and Increase Funding for Minority-Serving Institutions
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored legislation to permanently extend and increase mandatory funding levels for minority-serving institutions. The Strengthening Minority-Serving Institutions Act will increase mandatory funding levels from $255 million to $300 million for minority-serving institutions of higher education. Part of this funding expired in Fiscal Year 2014 and the rest is set to expire in Fiscal Year 2019, leaving already financially … Continue Reading