Press Releases
Cortez Masto, Toomey Introduce FIND Trafficking Act
Bipartisan Legislation to Require Study on Use of Virtual Currencies and Online Marketplaces in Facilitation of Sex & Drug Trafficking Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the Fight Illicit Networks and Detect (FIND) Trafficking Act of 2018 along with her Republican co-lead, Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), in the United States Senate. The FIND Trafficking Act would require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on how virtual … Continue Reading
June 28, 2018
Cortez Masto, Rubio Introduce Bill to Combat China’s Political Influence Operations
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced the Countering the Chinese Government and Communist Party's Political Influence Operations Act, bipartisan legislation that aims to combat China's political influence operations in the United States and elsewhere globally. Specifically, the bill would require the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to organize an interagency task force to compile an unclassified … Continue Reading
June 28, 2018
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Strengthen Rights of Workers to Join Unions & Bargain Collectively
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored bicameral legislation to guarantee the right of public employees to organize, act concertedly, and bargain collectively in states that currently do not afford these basic protections. "Unions are fundamental to protecting workers' rights and making sure they have a voice," said Cortez Masto. "In light of growing threats to workers' rights, we must focus our efforts on strengthening the ability of workers to organize … Continue Reading
June 27, 2018
Cortez Masto Statement on Retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement: "Justice Kennedy honored his oath to support and defend our Constitution and faithfully discharged his duties as a Justice of the Supreme Court for 30 years. While I have not agreed with every decision he has signed his name to, I honor Justice Kennedy's service and wish him and his wife Mary the best in retirement. "I will … Continue Reading
June 27, 2018
Cortez Masto Applauds Nearly $27 Million in PILT Payments for Nevada’s Rural Communities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement today following the Department of Interior's announcement that 17 local governments in Nevada will receive $26,987,166.00 in Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) payments to manage the federal lands in their jurisdictions and invest in economic development projects: "I applaud the Department of Interior for awarding nearly $27 million to our rural counties through the PILT program-an increase of … Continue Reading
June 27, 2018
Cortez Masto Introduces Bill to Deter Illegal Robocalls
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious, and Outrageous Telephone Calls Act or the DO NOT Call Act of 2018, legislation that will improve enforcement and enhance penalties for violations made under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Initiating a robocall without consent of an individual is outlawed under the TCPA, which permits the FCC to issue fines and victims to pursue civil action in court. However, violators can … Continue Reading
June 27, 2018
Cortez Masto: American Workers Need Strong Unions
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's ruling today in Janus v. American Federation of State, Municipal, and County Employees. "Unions have always been a powerful voice for better wages, safe working conditions and equal pay for equal work. Today's Supreme Court decision hurts American workers and will further economic inequality in America. This decision will weaken the ability of working people to … Continue Reading
June 26, 2018
Cortez Masto Applauds Over $2,000,000 to Help Nevada Law Enforcement Defray Costs Associated With 1October Massacre
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today released the following statement in response to the news that the Department of Justice will reimburse Nevada's law enforcement agencies with $2,000,100.00 to cover the costs associated with the massacre that occurred at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival on October 1st, 2017: "As Nevada's Senator, I've fought to ensure that Nevada's law enforcement agencies are fully reimbursed for overtime costs they incurred while … Continue Reading
June 26, 2018
Cortez Masto Keeps Yucca Mountain Funding Out of Energy & Water Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on her request to exclude Yucca Mountain funding from being included in the recently passed FY2019 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill. "Not only have the people of Nevada refused to allow Yucca Mountain to operate in their backyards, scientists have confirmed that it is not a viable solution for permanent nuclear waste storage. Its proximity to fault lines, along with its detrimental … Continue Reading
June 26, 2018
Cortez Masto: Decision on Women’s Health A Vicious & Ignorant Attack on American Women
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of fake women's health centers who fail to provide women with a full understanding of their health care decisions. "Today's decision allows President Trump to continue threatening the lives of vulnerable women across America. Women must have access to all the available options for their health and the health of their families. And they deserve to know the … Continue Reading
June 26, 2018
Cortez Masto: Travel Ban Decision Flies in Face of Religious Freedom
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Supreme Court upheld President Trump's anti-Muslim travel ban: "This decision flies in the face of our nation's founding principle of religious freedom. President Trump's Muslim Ban is in direct opposition to American principles and sends yet another prejudiced message to Muslim-Americans, refugees and immigrants. His ban serves only to incite recruiting for ISIS and undermines efforts … Continue Reading
June 26, 2018
Cortez Masto Prioritizes Water Conservation in Energy & Water Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on the passage of the 2019 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, which includes language Cortez Masto proposed to reauthorize for the Colorado River System Conservation Pilot Program (SCPP). "The Colorado River is vital to the health and well-being of Nevada's families and Nevada's economy. I am proud to help guarantee the continuation of the System Conservation Pilot Program. The … Continue Reading
June 25, 2018
Cortez Masto: President Trump is Fully Responsible for the Chaos and Trauma I Witnessed at the Southern Border
McAllen, Texas - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) toured several facilities where asylum seekers and their children are currently being processed and detained in Texas. During the visit, Senator Cortez Masto met with mothers and fathers who have been deeply scarred by the ongoing effects of President Trump's inhumane family separation policy. "My visit of detention facilities and a processing center in Brownsville, McAllen and Los Fresnos today was heart-wrenching. … Continue Reading
June 22, 2018
Cortez Masto Tours Truckee Meadows Fire Station, Meets with Local Firefighters
Reno, Nev. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) toured the new Truckee Meadows Fire Station and met with the Fire Chief Charles Moore and Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (TMFPD) firefighters to listen to their concerns and discuss her recent partnership with Nevada fire departments to encourage fire season preparedness. "Nevada firefighters' dedication to their jobs is unmatched and their courage to run towards danger saves lives every day," said Cortez Masto. "I am … Continue Reading
June 22, 2018
Cortez Masto Tours Our Center, Hosts LGBTQ Roundtable
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) toured Our Center's facility in Reno, an organization devoted to empowering the LGBTQ community in Northern Nevada by providing programs, education and advocacy opportunities to the local LGBTQ community. The senator also hosted a roundtable with leaders and advocates to discuss their experiences with discrimination in housing, healthcare and the workforce. "Despite all the progress we've made in our fight for equal rights, the LGBTQ … Continue Reading
June 21, 2018
Cortez Masto Introduces Amendment to Require VA Inspector General to Investigate Veterans Nursing Homes with Quality Concerns, Including Reno Facility
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced an amendment that would require the Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General's office to conduct an investigation of all VA nursing homes rated an overall one-star rating in the two years prior to the enactment of her amendment. A newly released report by the VA identified a Reno veterans nursing home that received a one-star rating in 2016. Overall ratings measure the quality of care and staffing provided to … Continue Reading
June 20, 2018
Cortez Masto: Trump Executive Order Continues to Target Families Fleeing Violence
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after President Trump signed an executive order maintaining his 'zero tolerance' policy that targets thousands of immigrant children and their parents fleeing violence in their home countries: "President Trump's executive order still enforces his cruel immigration policy that prosecutes parents fleeing violence to protect their kids. Millions of Americans have stood up in opposition to the cruel … Continue Reading
June 19, 2018
Cortez Masto Highlights Her Commitment to Fighting the Alzheimer’s Public Health Crisis
Washington, D.C. - At today's U.S. Senate Aging Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) highlighted the importance of improving access to Alzheimer's care for patients and providing greater community resources for caregivers. Senator Cortez Masto and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced the bipartisan BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act, which would create a public health infrastructure to combat Alzheimer's disease and preserve brain health. At the hearing, … Continue Reading
June 19, 2018
Cortez Masto Statement on Clark County Lands Bill Resolutions
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on the Clark County Lands Bill Resolutions: "I applaud the Clark County Commission for working closely with local leaders, advocates, and stakeholders to spur economic development and to protect Nevada's public lands. These resolutions are an important first step in addressing Clark County's needs as its population continues to grow. In addition, these resolutions highlight Clark County's … Continue Reading
June 19, 2018
Cortez Masto Commemorates Juneteenth 2018
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement commemorating Juneteenth. Senator Cortez Masto is a cosponsor of a resolution designating June 19th, 2018 as Juneteenth Independence Day: "On Juneteenth we commemorate the emancipation of the last enslaved Africans and African descendants on U.S. soil and celebrate the fulfillment of independence. Juneteenth marks the end of a painful chapter in our history and celebrates African-American … Continue Reading
