Press Releases
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Simplify Federal Student Aid
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Simplifying Financial Aid for Students Act of 2018, legislation to streamline the financial aid application process for graduate and undergraduate students, in an effort to help more underserved students have access to financial aid and attend college. The bill would simplify the FAFSA form, making it more accessible and easier to complete for low-income students by greatly reducing the number of questions a … Continue Reading
August 16, 2018
Cortez Masto Raises Concerns to FCC Chairman Pai About Gaps in Wireless Service in Las Vegas Valley, Digital Redlining
Washington, D.C. - At today's Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on the oversight of the Federal Communications Commission, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and FCC Commissioners regarding gaps in wireless service in the Las Vegas Valley and how the FCC intends to address the issue of digital redlining, a discriminatory practice where wireless carriers deny services to low-income and minority neighborhoods. The FCC … Continue Reading
August 15, 2018
Cortez Masto, Kennedy Introduce Legislation to Protect Seniors from Opioid Abuse
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) introduced the Stop Excessive Narcotics in our Retirement (SENIOR) Communities Protection Act, legislation that would protect seniors from criminals who misuse the Medicare system to illicitly acquire opioids. The bill will give Medicare Part D, or the Medicare prescription drug benefit, the ability to suspend payments to a pharmacy that is under investigation for fraud. This is the same tool available to … Continue Reading
August 13, 2018
Cortez Masto Applauds HHS Research and Emergency Preparedness Grants for Nevada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) announcement of three new grants for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the University of Nevada, Reno Board of Regents, and the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. "I commend HHS for investing in scientific research and emergency preparedness for Nevada hospitals all across the state," said Cortez Masto. "These funds are critical investments to improve … Continue Reading
August 09, 2018
Cortez Masto Applauds the Grand Opening of Interstate 11
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today attended the grand opening and applauded the completion of the new Interstate 11. The event was hosted by the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada and the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to celebrate the completion of a new route between Las Vegas, Nevada and Phoenix, Arizona. "I-11's grand opening today is another bold step for Nevada toward economic sustainability and prosperity," said … Continue Reading
August 07, 2018
Cortez Masto at Lake Tahoe Summit: It’s Up to All of Us to Keep Tahoe Blue
"Climate change is one of the biggest threats not only to Lake Tahoe, which experienced its highest ever recorded water temperature last year, but to every community on earth." "We have to work together, because here's the thing: Lake Tahoe doesn't belong to just one of us…one person, or one business, or one party. Lake Tahoe belongs to all of us. That means it's all of our responsibility to keep Tahoe blue for future generations to enjoy." Incline Village, Nev. - Today, U.S. Senator … Continue Reading
August 06, 2018
Cortez Masto Statement on the Passing of Senator Paul Laxalt
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on the passing of Senator Paul Laxalt. "Today, Nevada has lost a proud son and dedicated public servant. Paul Laxalt, the son of a Basque sheepherder, was a man of determination, honor, and principle. He fought for his values and for Nevada, his home and the state he loved. The constant that ran through the 96 years of his life was a commitment to service. He fought for our country in the U.S. Army in … Continue Reading
August 06, 2018
Cortez Masto Applauds EPA Grant to Improve Air Quality in Washoe County
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for awarding an additional $136,913 in Clean Air Act grant funds to the Washoe County Health District to help improve air quality in an area experiencing its worst level of ozone air pollution in 10 years due to recent wildfires. "Nevadans are working hard to reduce wildfire smoke pollution. I am very grateful to the EPA for awarding these grants to provide the Washoe County … Continue Reading
August 06, 2018
Cortez Masto Visits North Valleys High School for First Day of School
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after visiting North Valleys High School, where she welcomed students for their first day of school and spoke with school officials about North Valleys' Agricultural Engineering and Natural Resource Management Signature Academy. The Academy is one of nine in the Washoe County Schools District which provide opportunities for students to earn college credits and industry-recognized certifications in … Continue Reading
August 03, 2018
Cortez Masto Applauds $6 Million USDA Grant to Improve Internet Access in Lincoln County
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for awarding a $6,944,000 Rural Development grant to Lincoln County Telephone System, Inc. This grant will assist Lincoln County in making important improvements to their rural broadband service. "All Nevadans should have access to fast, reliable internet, regardless of their zip code. This grant will strengthen Lincoln County's ability to provide an essential service to its … Continue Reading
August 03, 2018
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Recognize ‘Hidden Figures’ for Contributions to U.S. during the Space Race
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Chris Coons (D-Del.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), and 43 of her colleagues in introducing a bipartisan bill to award Congressional Gold Medals to Katherine Johnson and Dr. Christine Darden; and to posthumously award Congressional Gold Medals to Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. The bill serves to commend these women for their contributions to NASA's success during the Space Race and … Continue Reading
August 02, 2018
Cortez Masto, Menendez and Over 100 Members of Congress Demand TPS Be Reinstated for El Salvador, Honduras and Haiti
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Congressman Eliot Engel (NY-16) and a bipartisan group of 110 members of Congress in calling on the Trump Administration to reinstate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of immigrants legally living in the United States. The letter comes after the State Department released a series of internal documents showing the Trump Administration's overtly political decisions to … Continue Reading
August 02, 2018
Cortez Masto, Gardner Introduce Bipartisan ACCESS BROADBAND Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) introduced the Advancing Critical Connectivity Expands Service, Small Businesses Resources, Opportunities, Access, and Data Based on Assessed Need and Demand (ACCESS BROADBAND) Act, bipartisan legislation to establish a single point of contact office to streamline management and oversight of federal broadband resources across multiple agencies. The bill will create a simpler process for small businesses … Continue Reading
August 02, 2018
Cortez Masto Announces Press Team Transition
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement announcing the transition of Communications Director Reynaldo Benitez to the role of Special Advisor based out of her Reno, Nevada office. Cortez Masto also announces that her current Deputy Communications Director, Ryan King, will become Communications Director and that she is hiring Monica Garcia, currently of the Latino Victory Fund, to join her communications staff as Deputy Communications … Continue Reading
August 02, 2018
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Cybersecurity Resources for Small Businesses, Bill Set To Become Law
Washington, D.C. - This week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Act, legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and led by Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) and James Risch (R-Idaho). The bipartisan bill will provide a consistent set of standards and resources for small businesses to best protect their digital assets from cybersecurity threats. Small businesses are a pillar of the American economy and make up more than half of … Continue Reading
August 01, 2018
Cortez Masto Presses Wells Fargo CEO on Layoffs at Reno Call Center
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) sent a letter to Wells Fargo CEO and President Timothy J. Sloan expressing serious concerns regarding the announced layoff of 340 employees from Wells Fargo's Reno call center. Several reports have noted that while Wells Fargo is laying off thousands of workers across the U.S., the company is also preparing to hire thousands of workers for call centers overseas and has announced billions in stock buybacks for its corporate … Continue Reading
August 01, 2018
Cortez Masto Applauds Final Passage of the NDAA
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on the final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019, which includes language Senator Cortez Masto supported to prioritize the needs of Nevada's service members and to update important military training resources and technology. "I am proud to have worked with my colleagues on the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes several bipartisan provisions that directly help … Continue Reading
August 01, 2018
Cortez Masto Applauds the Passage of the Minibus Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on the passage of the 'minibus II' appropriations package, which includes funding for the Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Treasury, the Small Business Administration, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency, among others. "This legislation rejects President Trump's proposal for … Continue Reading
August 01, 2018
Cortez Masto: Junk Plans Threaten the Health of Millions of Americans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in response to the finalization of a Trump Administration rule which allows consumers to purchase and renew inexpensive short-term health insurance plans for up to three years. These plans offer limited benefits, do not comply with the Affordable Care Act and were originally designed to be used only for up to three months. "The Administration's continued efforts to sabotage the Affordable Care … Continue Reading
August 01, 2018
Cortez Masto Condemns Administration’s Proposed Damaging Changes to Title X Family Planning Program, Calls for Reversal
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and 43 other Senators in submitting a comment to Secretary Alex Azar at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to strongly oppose the Trump-Pence Administration's proposal to restrict the Title X family planning program and reduce access to health care for millions of women. They called on the Administration to reverse course and revoke its planned changes. "As U.S. Senators, we … Continue Reading
