Press Releases
Cortez Masto Statement on Route 91 Harvest Festival Attack
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in response to the shooting at the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas last night, which according to news reports has left 50 dead and over 200 injured: "My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and wounded in last night's vicious and senseless attack outside the Mandalay Bay Resort. I thank the first responders for taking down the gunman and working tirelessly to treat … Continue Reading
September 30, 2017
Cortez Masto Celebrates Nevada Public Lands Day
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in celebration of the first official Nevada Public Lands Day: "Every year, thousands of Nevadans and millions of visitors from all over the world come to our state to hike, camp, hunt, fish and explore our beautiful desert landscapes and mountain ranges. Nevada's outdoor recreational economy benefits greatly from the protection of our public lands, generating over 148,000 jobs and contributing … Continue Reading
September 29, 2017
Cortez Masto Applauds Senate Passage of MAIN STREET Cybersecurity Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto applauded the unanimous passage of a bill she co-sponsored, the Making Available Information Now to Strengthen Trust and Resilience and Enhance Enterprise Technology (MAIN STREET) Cybersecurity Act, in the Senate last night. Introduced by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and James Risch (R-Idaho), this bipartisan bill will provide a consistent set of resources for small businesses to best protect their digital assets from … Continue Reading
September 29, 2017
Cortez Masto Delivers Weekly Democratic Address
"I am proud of the efforts of all of our brave first responders - many gave their lives for their communities. I also want to take a moment to thank the many Nevadan's participating in the relief efforts, my best wishes go with the Nevada Army National Guard members from Reno and Carson City, who will soon be headed to Puerto Rico. Your actions make us all proud to be Americans." "To the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, I want to know that you deserve and will have the full … Continue Reading
September 28, 2017
Cortez Masto Announces More than $580,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant for Northern Nevada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement announcing a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant totaling more than $580,000 for Carson City and Walker River in Northern Nevada. "Nevadans will have a better experience exploring our state's parks thanks to the investments made to enhance accessibility and visitor experience. I applaud the National Park Service for prioritizing the improvement of our local parks and for protecting our … Continue Reading
September 28, 2017
Cortez Masto, Colleagues: DeVos’ Decision to Revoke Sexual Assault Guidance “Shows a Clear Lack of Concern” for Survivors
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and 36 of her Senate colleagues sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos slamming her decision to revoke guidance that directs schools on how to handle investigations of sexual assault and urging her to reverse course. Secretary DeVos' decision has undermined the rights of sexual assault survivors and created chaos and confusion for schools. "Your action on Friday shows a clear lack of concern for the many … Continue Reading
September 28, 2017
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bipartisan SURVIVE Act for Tribal Victim Services
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, cosponsored today S. 1870, the Securing Urgent Resources Vital to Indian Victim Empowerment (SURVIVE) Act of 2017. The legislation will improve public safety in tribal communities and strengthen resources for Native American victims of crime. The SURVIVE Act, which is sponsored by Indian Affairs Committee Chairman John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and cosponsored by U.S. Senators John … Continue Reading
September 28, 2017
VIDEO: Cortez Masto Urges Coordination Among Local, State, and Federal Authorities to Crack Down on Human Trafficking in Indian Country
Washington, D.C. - In yesterday's Indian Affairs Committee Hearing, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned expert witnesses about the need to empower state and local officials to work alongside U.S. attorneys to combat human trafficking in Indian country. "Is it fair enough to say that because there are, unfortunately, so many human trafficking incidents, there is more than enough work for U.S. attorneys to do? And it would be much better to allow the District Attorneys and … Continue Reading
September 28, 2017
Cortez Masto, Colleagues to Trump: We Must Do More for Puerto Rico and USVIs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and 39 senators sent a letter to President Trump to express deep concern about the situation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. "We write to express deep concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands," the senators wrote. "In Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria recently knocked out the entire island's electric grid leaving at least 3.4 million Americans with no power, decimated … Continue Reading
September 28, 2017
Cortez Masto Applauds Nearly $15 Million in Federal Grant Funds for Magnet Schools in Clark County
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the United States Department of Education for awarding $14,829,400 over five years to the Clark County School District. These grants will be utilized by magnet schools in Clark County to promote academic achievement among minority and low-income students. "These awards will help young scholars in Southern Nevada develop the skills they need to become our state, and our country's, future leaders," said Sen. Cortez Masto. … Continue Reading
September 27, 2017
Cortez Masto on Trump’s Tax Proposal
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced his tax proposal: "While announcing his new tax plan, President Trump said: 'it's not good for me.' Well, I am more interested in knowing whether this tax plan is good for Nevada. I am reviewing this plan but cannot support legislation that would be a windfall for the wealthiest Americans and special interests, increases the deficit, and refuses to make the … Continue Reading
September 27, 2017
VIDEO: Cortez Masto, Senate Democrats Address Importance of Protecting Consumers
Watch the Video Here Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) to speak out against Senate Republican efforts to overturn the Consumer Financial Protect Bureau's (CFPB) consumer protection rule on forced arbitration. The Senators discussed how forced arbitration clauses waive a customer's right to sue a … Continue Reading
September 26, 2017
Cortez Masto Congratulates Nevada State College for Earning U.S. Department of Education Grant
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement congratulating Nevada State College (NSC) in Henderson for earning a $2.7 million grant over five years under the U.S. Department of Education's Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) program: "The U.S. Department of Education's Hispanic-Serving Institutions program has been instrumental in empowering colleges and universities throughout the United States with the means to successfully … Continue Reading
September 26, 2017
Cortez Masto: Puerto Ricans and U.S. Virgin Islanders deserve the full support of our government
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on the importance of responding to the growing humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands: "In the aftermath of not one but two historically destructive hurricanes, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are running out of food and potable water. In Puerto Rico, 70% of hospitals have been shut down, 95% of households have lost power, and 250,000 homes have been destroyed. The … Continue Reading
September 25, 2017
Cortez Masto: Graham-Cassidy Takes Nevada Backwards
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its preliminary analysis of the Graham-Cassidy bill which would rip away health care from millions of Americans and cut $1 trillion from Medicaid: "Graham-Cassidy continues to confront Nevada with a false choice that takes our state backwards. This legislation will not open a new hospital, fund a new opioid addiction treatment program, or cover … Continue Reading
September 25, 2017
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Call for Extension of DACA Renewal Deadline in Wake of Storms
Washington, D.C. - In the wake of three massive storms that have disrupted the day-to-day lives of millions of people in the U.S., U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and 37 of her colleagues called today on the Trump Administration to extend the crucial October 5 deadline for DREAMers to renew their DACA status. The group made the request in a letter to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke. "These major hurricanes significantly disrupted day to day living and operations … Continue Reading
September 22, 2017
Cortez Masto Announces Intern Scholarship for First-Generation College Students
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement announcing an intern scholarship program for first-generation college students. The scholarship is for students applying for internships at her offices in both Nevada and Washington, DC. Prospective interns can apply here. "First-generation college students have overcome many barriers in order to become the first in their families to attend college. These students blaze their own trail to find … Continue Reading
September 22, 2017
Cortez Masto Condemns Education Department Decision to Rescind Obama-Era Policy to Combat Campus Sexual Assault
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement denouncing the Education Department's decision to roll back protections for victims of sexual assault on college campuses: "In the midst of an epidemic of sexual abuse on our college campuses, Secretary DeVos has chosen to strip protections from victims in order to confer virtual immunity on their attackers. The Trump administration's failure to act to prevent sexual violence will go down as one … Continue Reading
September 22, 2017
Cortez Masto on Graham-Cassidy: False Choice that Takes Nevada Backwards
Washington, D.C. - In a series of short videos released today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) explained how the Graham-Cassidy bill will devastate rural Nevada's communities and leave tens of millions of Americans, including over 243,000 Nevadans, without health care. "Graham-Cassidy presents Nevada with a false choice that takes our state backwards. The Graham-Cassidy bill is the worst version of Trumpcare we've seen yet and pits the most vulnerable in our state against one … Continue Reading
September 21, 2017
Cortez Masto Joins Senate & House Democrats in Calling on FEC to Prevent Foreign Governments from Using Social Media Ads to Influence U.S. Elections
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined today a coalition of Democratic House and Senate members led by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, in sending a letter to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) urging the agency to consider new rules that would prevent foreign nationals from using online advertising platforms, like Facebook and Twitter, to influence U.S. elections. Following … Continue Reading
