Press Releases
Cortez Masto Announces Administration Will Heed Her Calls to Expand Mental Health Services for Students
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced that the U.S. Education Department (ED) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are beginning a coordinated effort to expand school-based mental health services. Over the past year, Cortez Masto has repeatedly called on the HHS and ED to launch this all-of-government response to help address the student mental health crisis. "Supporting the mental health of our kids takes all of us, which is why I'm … Continue Reading
March 25, 2022
Cortez Masto Leads Call on IRS to Adjust Mileage Deduction Rate to Reflect High Gas Prices, Lower Costs for Nevadans
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) called on Commissioner Charles P. Rettig of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to help lower costs for Nevadans who use their cars for business and medical purposes by increasing the standard mileage rate used to deduct their costs for operating a vehicle. Many Nevadans are able to claim mileage reimbursement from the IRS if they use their personal vehicles for work, medical, charitable, or … Continue Reading
March 24, 2022
Cortez Masto Calls on Administration to Complete Map of Broadband Infrastructure Projects
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) today sent letters to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other relevant agencies requesting an update on progress in coordinating the creation of the Deployment Locations Map. Last year, the Senators secured the inclusion of an amendment in the bipartisan infrastructure bill that required the FCC to consult with relevant federal agencies to develop the Deployment Locations Map, a publicly … Continue Reading
March 23, 2022
Cortez Masto, Rosen Applaud Confirmation of Nominees for Nevada’s U.S. District Court
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortes Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) issued the following statements on the confirmation of Judge Cristina Silva and Professor Anne Traum to the bench of the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. "Judge Silva and Professor Traum are both incredibly qualified women with track records of fairness, integrity, and knowledge of the law. I'm glad that both nominees have been confirmed to the federal bench in Nevada, and I know … Continue Reading
March 23, 2022
Cortez Masto, Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Airports and Other Transit Hubs Crack Down on Human Trafficking
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced legislation to help airports and other transit centers combat human trafficking. Labor and sex trafficking survivors are commonly trafficked on airplanes and public transportation, and this legislation would provide popular transportation hubs with dedicated funding to spend on human trafficking prevention and awareness. "As Nevada's Attorney General, I spoke to trafficking survivors about … Continue Reading
March 22, 2022
Cortez Masto, Moran Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Human Trafficking Activity on Social Media
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced bipartisan legislation to help combat human trafficking activity on social media platforms, including Facebook, Whatsapp, and Instagram. Since 2000, over 30% of all sex trafficking victims have been recruited online. This legislation would instruct the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to research the role social media plays in contributing to human trafficking crimes. "Far too … Continue Reading
March 22, 2022
Cortez Masto Calls for Confirmation of Nominees for Nevada's U.S. District Court
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) spoke on the Senate floor to urge confirmation of Judge Cristina Silva and Professor Anne Traum, President Biden's nominees for the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. Both nominees advanced through the Senate Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support. Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery: This week the Senate considers two outstanding nominees to the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. … Continue Reading
March 22, 2022
Cortez Masto’s Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Broadband Access and Bolster Workforce by Establishing a National 6G Strategy Passes Commerce Committee
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced that her bipartisan bill to establish a national strategy to implement future generations of telecom services, including 6G and other wireless communications, advanced through the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with strong bipartisan support. This bill will help the United States lead the way in deploying high-speed internet technologies, including 6G. "This legislation is a key part of … Continue Reading
March 21, 2022
Cortez Masto Applauds Grant for Trucker Training Program at Western Nevada College
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced that the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development Board approved a $400,000 grant to grow a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Training Program at Western Nevada College. Earlier this month, Senator Cortez Masto secured $700,000 for this program as part of the as part of the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus appropriations package. "I'm working in the Senate to lower prices, address supply-chain issues, … Continue Reading
March 18, 2022
Cortez Masto, Rosen Urge President Biden to Prioritize Nevada’s Rural Veterans, Reject Proposed Closures of VA Health Facilities that Could Threaten Their Access to Care
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) sent a letter to President Joe Biden voicing their concerns that the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) proposed closure of facilities in the state could impact Nevada veterans. The Senators urged the President to refrain from implementing recommendations that could undermine rural veterans' access to VA health care and provide concrete plans to ensure that their care won't be interrupted by any … Continue Reading
March 18, 2022
Cortez Masto Applauds Administration’s Appointments to Key USDA Positions in Nevada
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the Biden administration's appointment of two Nevadans to key positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The White House recently announced that Lucas Ingvoldstad will be USDA State Director of Rural Development for Nevada. Last month, the USDA also announced that Janice Kolvet will serve as the Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director for Nevada. Senator Cortez Masto worked with the … Continue Reading
March 18, 2022
Cortez Masto Calls on Administration to Do More to Address Energy Costs for Nevadan Families
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined a bipartisan, bicameral letter calling on Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to take additional steps to reduce energy costs in the wake of Vladimir Putin's illegal war in Ukraine. While the Biden administration has taken action to lower energy costs for families, Americans are feeling the financial impact of Russia's unprovoked invasion. Oil prices have surged to their highest level … Continue Reading
March 17, 2022
Cortez Masto, Grassley Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Invest in Local Police Departments
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced the bipartisan Invest to Protect Act to provide $250 million over the next five years to support small law enforcement agencies across the country. This funding will help them invest in training, equipment, mental health support, and recruitment and retention. The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). "Our local law … Continue Reading
March 16, 2022
Cortez Masto Calls on Small Business Administration to Take Action Against Harmful Practices in Franchise Sector
Washington, D.C. - Today at a hearing at the Senate Committee on Small Businesses & Entrepreneurship, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) testified about actions the Small Business Administration (SBA) should take to prevent harmful practices in the franchise sector and increase transparency for prospective franchise owners. "There are terrific franchise corporations out there that provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to own successful businesses," said Senator Cortez Masto. "But … Continue Reading
March 16, 2022
Cortez Masto: Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Will Provide Vital Support for Survivors
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement celebrating the reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act, which was signed into law by President Biden. Senator Cortez Masto was a cosponsor and vocal supporter of this landmark legislation to help address gender-based violence and provide services and protections for survivors. The bill also includes Cortez Masto's bipartisan Fairness for Rape Kit Backlog Survivors Act to require state … Continue Reading
March 15, 2022
Cortez Masto Announces Administration Will Heed Her Call to Extend Deferment Period for the EIDL Program, Support Small Businesses
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) will extend the deferment period for repaying loans to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program for a total of 30 months from inception on all approved COVID EIDL loans. Last week, she led 15 of her colleagues in a letter to SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman urging her to support more than 42,100 businesses and nonprofits in Nevada that benefited from the EIDL … Continue Reading
March 14, 2022
Cortez Masto Joins Bipartisan Letter to Homeland Security Secretary Requesting Information on Efforts to Protect the United States from Russian Cyber Threats
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and a bipartisan group of 21 senators in a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security requesting information on efforts to protect the United States from Russian cyber and disinformation threats. The letter references past Russian cyber operations - such the SolarWinds attack - as evidence of their history of engaging in malicious cyber activities that … Continue Reading
March 11, 2022
ICYMI: Sen. Cortez Masto Calls on Oil and Gas Companies to Do More to Help Consumers Facing High Costs at the Pump
In Case You Missed It, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) spoke at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing yesterday, calling out oil and gas companies for prioritizing payouts to shareholders rather than using their record profits to help lower prices and responsibly ramp up domestic production. The full hearing is available for download here. KRNV: Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto accuses gas companies of "putting profits over consumers" Nevada Senator Catherine … Continue Reading
March 11, 2022
Cortez Masto Announces $4.8 Million For Clean Buses, Energy Efficient Lighting at 250 Bus Stops
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced that the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada will receive $4.8 million to purchase three hydrogen fuel cell buses and improve safety at 250 bus stops around the city through the installation of cost-efficient solar lighting. This grant funding will help RTC reach its goal of a fully electrified fleet of buses by 2035. Senator Cortez Masto wrote a letter in support of this grant in November of … Continue Reading
March 10, 2022
Cortez Masto: Bipartisan Government Funding Bill Will Provide Historic Support to Law Enforcement, Victims of Crime, and Ukraine
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the passage of the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus funding package, which now heads to President Biden's desk to be signed into law. Senator Cortez Masto ensured the package includes full funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program, which is the leading source of criminal justice funding for local police. She passed her legislation to extend telehealth services for Nevada families and seniors … Continue Reading
