Press Releases
Cortez Masto, Senators Urge Commerce Secretary to Reject DOJ Request to Include Citizenship Question in 2020 Census
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and four other senators sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross calling on the Commerce Department to reject a Department of Justice (DOJ) request to include a question on citizenship in the 2020 Census. DOJ's request comes on the heels of reports that planning and preparations for the 2020 Census are significantly behind schedule and underfunded. The question on citizenship dramatically increases concerns about the … Continue Reading
January 08, 2018
Cortez Masto Condemns Trump Administration Decision to Revoke TPS for Salvadorans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement condemning the Trump Administration's decision to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for families from El Salvador, which will eliminate their legal immigration status and expose them to deportation: "The more than 250,000 Salvadorans who came to the United States to flee a bloody civil war in the 1980's and dangerous living conditions following a catastrophic 2001 earthquake have spent their … Continue Reading
January 04, 2018
Cortez Masto Denounces DOJ’s New Misguided Marijuana Policy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement denouncing Attorney General Jeff Sessions' decision to rescind the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Obama-era marijuana policy: "Attorney General Sessions says he is a headstrong advocate for states' rights. However, his decision giving free rein to federal prosecutors to target the cannabis industry in states where voters and legislatures have chosen to legalize and regulate the use of … Continue Reading
January 03, 2018
Cortez Masto Calls for Reform of Senate Ethics Committee Investigations on Sexual Harassment
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) sent a letter to U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Ranking Member Chris Coons (D-Conn.), calling on the Committee to evaluate its practices and procedures to ensure that the investigative process for any sexual harassment allegation referred to the Committee is expeditious, transparent and thorough. Last year, a series of allegations brought a national spotlight to sexual misconduct, … Continue Reading
January 01, 2018
Cortez Masto Tours All Nevada Counties
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after completing her tour of all 17 Nevada counties: "There is no better way to learn about issues that matter to Nevadans than to hear from them directly at events, town halls, roundtables, or even at a local grocery store. The stories I've heard and the people I've met all across Nevada are what drives me every single day, and I am honored to bring their voices to Washington. From fighting for … Continue Reading
December 22, 2017
Cortez Masto, Senators Urge Federal Agencies and Mortgage Lenders to Assist Hurricane Victims in Puerto Rico Ahead of Looming Foreclosure Crisis
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) led a bipartisan group of senators in a letter to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, urging them to help hurricane victims keep their homes as they rebuild and recover from Hurricane Maria's devastation. Puerto Rico is on track for a foreclosure crisis that could surpass the worst of the Las Vegas housing crisis nearly a decade ago, and Hurricane Maria has reportedly worsened delinquency in … Continue Reading
December 22, 2017
Cortez Masto Calls on Trump Administration to Develop Bipartisan Plan to Rebuild America’s Infrastructure
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) called on two members of the Trump administration, Gary Cohn, Director of the National Economic Council, and Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation, to work with Democrats to develop a bipartisan consensus on how best to invest in our nation's infrastructure. Cortez Masto wrote that fiscally responsible, pro-growth infrastructure investments are needed to grow Nevada's economy and improve Nevadans' quality of life. She … Continue Reading
December 21, 2017
Cortez Masto: Christmas Can Wait, No Deal Without Nevada’s Priorities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on tonight's vote on the continuing resolution in the Senate: "We have been telling Dreamers to sit back and be patient for over 16 years. For 16 years, we've been telling them to wait their turn. And then when the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program went into effect, we told Dreamers that if they gave the government all of their personal information and paid an annual fee, they would … Continue Reading
December 20, 2017
Cortez Masto Presses U.S. Forest Service on Greater Sage-Grouse Review
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and 12 other senators wrote a letter to U.S. Forest Service Chief Tony Tooke to request information about the agency's role in the Trump Administration's review of 2015 plans to protect the imperiled greater sage-grouse. In a Federal Register notice last month, the U.S. Forest Service signaled that the agency may be seeking potential changes to the 2015 plans. Because modifying the plans could have a significant economic impact … Continue Reading
December 19, 2017
Cortez Masto Rejects Scott Garrett’s Nomination to Head Ex-Im Bank
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, released the following statement on her vote earlier today against Scott Garrett's nomination to head the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank of the United States: "Today's bipartisan rebuke of Mr. Scott Garrett's nomination is indicative of how poor of a candidate he is to lead the Ex-Im Bank. Scott Garrett has vowed to eliminate the Bank and his record has … Continue Reading
December 18, 2017
Cortez Masto Applauds DHS for FEMA Winter Storm Grant
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for awarding a more than $1.4 million Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to the Nevada Division of Emergency Management. "With a name that means 'snowy' in Spanish, Nevada is no stranger to winter storms, specifically throughout the Great Basin and at higher altitudes," said Senator Cortez Masto. "Snow storms can be dangerous, even life threatening. DHS's latest … Continue Reading
December 15, 2017
Cortez Masto on Passage of Bipartisan Bill Banning Egregious Form of Animal Abuse
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after a bill she cosponsored, the bipartisan Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, passed the Senate last night. The PACT Act seeks to outlaw a heinous deadly form of animal maiming and torture known as "crushing." It is the first-ever federal law to grant all animals federal protections against cruelty and abuse. "Any form of abuse against animals must be punishable by law, and I am … Continue Reading
December 15, 2017
Cortez Masto, Senators to Experian: Fix System to Allow Consumers with Credit Freezes to Easily Sign Up for ACA Health Care Plan
Las Vegas, Nev. - Following reports that some consumers with credit freezes are experiencing issues enrolling into a health care plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined a group of senators, led by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), in calling on credit reporting agency Experian to work quickly to resolve the issue in their system so that consumers can verify their identity online and to waive any fees for consumers who choose to … Continue Reading
December 15, 2017
Cortez Masto Applauds HUD Grants for Southern Nevada, Reno Housing Authorities
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for awarding a $612,000 grant to the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority (SNRHA) and a $99,765 grant to the Housing Authority of the City of Reno (RHA) for HUD's Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. The FSS Program empowers low-income families that receive public housing or Section 8 assistance with finding employment, pursuing personal and career goals, … Continue Reading
December 15, 2017
Cortez Masto Applauds DOT Public Transportation Grant for Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation for awarding a $200,000 grant to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. The community will use the grant to establish the first tribal public transit system in the area in order to connect residents with healthcare, education, and other necessary services in and around the reservation. "Living in remote, rural areas should not prevent Nevadans from … Continue Reading
December 14, 2017
Cortez Masto, Udall, Murkowski Bill Would Restore Tribal Jurisdiction Over Domestic Violence Incidents on Tribal Land to Children and Law Enforcement
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the bipartisan Native Youth and Tribal Officer Protection Act (NYTOPA) to build on the Tribal jurisdiction provisions in the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA 2013) by extending protections to children and law enforcement personnel involved in domestic violence incidents on Tribal lands. The bill also will enhance federal coordination of victim … Continue Reading
December 14, 2017
Cortez Masto: Proposed Cuts to EPA Threaten Public Health
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined in a letter led by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) to push back on proposed cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) budget that would threaten public health and the environment. "The Trump Administration has made dismantling the EPA a core mission. We urge you to oppose any legislation that advances that goal by further cutting the EPA's already decimated funding levels," the Senators wrote. "Because of these … Continue Reading
December 14, 2017
Cortez Masto: Repeal of Net Neutrality Rules Will Hurt Nevadans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement concerning the Federal Communication Commission's vote to repeal Obama-era net neutrality rules: "Despite my calls to cancel today's vote, the FCC has now granted permission to internet service providers to play favorites with customers who can afford to pay more while leaving others behind. Without net neutrality protections, Nevada's schools, libraries, first responders, rural communities, and … Continue Reading
December 14, 2017
Cortez Masto, Online Community Participate in Website Blackout in Support of Dreamers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after Wednesday's digital day of action and website blackout in support of Dreamers. Cortez Masto organized the day of action to bring attention to Dreamers who are losing DACA and face deportation, and for Congress to urgently pass the Dream Act before the end of the year: "Each day that Congress fails to protect Dreamers, 122 more young individuals get their DACA protections taken away from … Continue Reading
December 13, 2017
Cortez Masto: Republican Tax Plan Fails to Consider Concerns of Indian Country
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, released the following statement today in anticipation of the conference report on the Republican tax legislation: "I am disappointed with Congressional Republican leadership and the Trump Administration for moving forward with a plan that would target the most vulnerable people in our communities and raise taxes on Nevada's working … Continue Reading
