Press Releases
Cortez Masto Statement on McConnell Move to Pack Federal Courts
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell changed Senate rules to fast track the Trump Administration's judicial and executive nominees. "When I talk to Nevadans, they aren't telling me they want President Trump's controversial judicial nominees confirmed quicker. They ask me to consider the qualifications, record, and character of each nominee and ensure they're the best choice for a … Continue Reading
April 03, 2019
Cortez Masto Applauds Senate Passage of Bill to Hold Pharmaceuticals Accountable in Drug Pricing
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement applauding yesterday's passage of the Right Rebate Act in the Senate as part of the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019. The Right Rebate Act, introduced by Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), strengthens congressional oversight of drug companies and closes a Medicaid loophole that has permitted pharmaceutical manufacturers to misclassify drugs and … Continue Reading
April 03, 2019
Cortez Masto, Rosen Applaud Over $200,000 to Improve Health Care for Indigenous Communities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) released the following statement celebrating over $200,000 awarded to Nevada Urban Indians, Inc. in Reno. Offered through the Office of Urban Indian Health Programs, the grant will finance programs offered at the nonprofit including community health and medical services, victim services programs and diabetes education and outreach for indigenous communities in Nevada. "We welcome this grant to secure … Continue Reading
April 03, 2019
Cortez Masto Introduces Legislation to Address Crisis of Missing, Murdered and Trafficked Native Women
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) today introduced the Not Invisible Act of 2019, legislation aimed at addressing the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Native people by engaging law enforcement, tribal leaders, federal partners, and service providers and improving coordination across federal agencies. This bipartisan bill establishes an advisory committee of local, tribal and federal stakeholders to … Continue Reading
April 02, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bicameral Bill to Promote Electric Vehicle Production
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vt.) in introducing the Electric CARS Act of 2019. This bicameral legislation fully extends the Electric Vehicle (EV) tax credit for 10 years and helps deploy critical alternative fuel charging infrastructure. "We know that when we incentivize the use and development of electric vehicles, we not only take steps to combat climate change but also grow our economy. … Continue Reading
April 02, 2019
Cortez Masto: It is Past Time American Women Earn Equal Pay for Equal Work
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) spoke on the Senate floor today recognizing Equal Pay Day, which marks the number of additional days American women must work to earn what their male counterparts earned in the previous year. She highlighted the economic impact of pay disparity and emphasized the even greater wage gaps that exist for women of color, women with disabilities and transgender women. Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery. Senator Cortez … Continue Reading
April 02, 2019
Cortez Masto Grills Secretary Perry Over Yucca Mountain
Washington, D.C. - At a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) grilled Energy Secretary Rick Perry about his Department's budget request for $116 million to restart licensing activities at Yucca Mountain. Senator Cortez Masto highlighted Nevadans' strong opposition to the project and questioned Secretary Perry about the hazards posed by storing nuclear waste in Nevada. "The most recent geological survey taken in this area … Continue Reading
April 02, 2019
Cortez Masto, McSally, Rosen, Sinema Unveil Historic Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and ten western senators to introduce the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation ensures the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) devised by the seven Colorado River Basin states and Indian tribes can be implemented without delay while respecting environmental protections. "I applaud the … Continue Reading
April 02, 2019
Cortez Masto Joins All 47 Senate Democrats to Introduce Resolution To Save Pre-Existing Condition Protections And Health Care For Millions
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and all 47 of her Senate Democratic colleagues in introducing a Senate resolution calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reverse its recent decision to side with U.S. District Court Judge Reed O'Connor's ruling that deems health care protections enjoyed by hundreds of millions unconstitutional and repeal the ACA in its entirety. This latest act of health care sabotage from the Trump … Continue Reading
March 29, 2019
Cortez Masto, Young Lead Bipartisan Bill to Help Rebuild Schools and Public Buildings
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), members of the Senate Finance Committee, introduced the Public Buildings Renewal Act of 2019, which incentivizes private investment to rebuild schools and public buildings through public-private partnerships. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) also joined as cosponsors of the bipartisan legislation that aims to spur needed infrastructure improvements. "Throughout Nevada, I'm hearing … Continue Reading
March 28, 2019
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Make Child Care More Affordable
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.) and 19 of their Senate Democratic colleagues introduced the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act, legislation to make child care accessible and more affordable for working families. "The average Nevada family spends $9,852 per year on child care, and the costs are similarly high across the country. For many middle class families this amounts to more than 18% of their income, placing a major … Continue Reading
March 28, 2019
Cortez Masto, Western Senate Colleagues Counter Proposed Cuts to Wildfire Prevention Funding
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and six Western Senate colleagues to demand the Trump administration reverse proposed funding cuts to critical wildfire prevention and fire restoration projects throughout the country. "The administration's proposed FY 2020 funding levels to restore our nation's public forestlands are profoundly low and will fail the nation, leading to lost lives and billions in damages," the senators … Continue Reading
March 28, 2019
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Condemn Trump Administration’s Attempts to Undermine SNAP Food Assistance Eligibility
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in a letter condemning a proposed rule from the Trump Administration that would affect the eligibility of 1.1 million Americans who receive food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This action follows a failed attempt by the Administration and House Republicans to toughen eligibility requirements for SNAP recipients in the … Continue Reading
March 28, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Prepare for Health Impacts of Climate Change
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored legislation introduced by Senator Edward Markey (D-Mass.) to improve America's public health response to climate change by supporting research, health impact monitoring, and preparation in the health sector and by developing a national action plan. The Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a National Strategic Action Plan to assist health … Continue Reading
March 27, 2019
Cortez Masto Highlights Urgency in Implementing Drought Contingency Plan for Colorado River
Washington, D.C. - At today's hearing for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power, Ranking Member Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned her guest, Mr. John Entsminger, the General Manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, on the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) for the Colorado River to highlight the need for its immediate implementation to address water security concerns for Nevada. "Mr. Entsminger, let me ask you this, is Southern Nevada … Continue Reading
March 27, 2019
Cortez Masto, Senate Democrats Introduce Sweeping Package of Ethics & Voting Rights Reforms
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and every member of the Senate Democratic Caucus in introducing the For the People Act - a sweeping package of comprehensive reforms that would fix our broken politics and make government work for the people. The landmark legislation, companion legislation to H.R. 1 in the U.S. House of Representatives, aims to restore the promise of American democracy by making it easier to vote, ending the … Continue Reading
March 27, 2019
Cortez Masto Announces Seat on Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today announced her appointment to the new Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis. The Committee, which includes Senator Cortez Masto and nine other Democratic Senators, will be tasked with investigating, holding hearings, and issuing findings on the economic and national security consequences of climate change and demonstrate how acting on the climate crisis presents significant opportunities for jobs, public … Continue Reading
March 26, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Provide Legal Status to TPS Recipients
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) to introduce the SECURE Act, which would allow eligible Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients to apply for lawful permanent resident status. "Immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) fled civil unrest, natural disasters and armed conflict in their native countries in order to build a better life for … Continue Reading
March 26, 2019
Cortez Masto to Senate Republican Leadership: Stop this Sham Vote and Join Senate Democrats to Address Climate Change
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) spoke on the Senate floor highlighting the need to take climate change seriously and work in a bipartisan way to confront the growing climate crisis. In her remarks, the Senator urged the Senate Republican Leader to end his sham climate change vote and work across the aisle to confront climate change and protect the future of our planet. Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery. Senator Cortez Masto's remarks are available … Continue Reading
March 26, 2019
Cortez Masto, Harris, Blumenthal, Merkley Demand DHS Reunite Deported Parents with Children
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen demanding the reunification of 17 immigrant parents deported under the Trump Administration's zero tolerance policy with their children. Earlier this month, 29 previously removed parents arrived at the Calexico Port of Entry seeking asylum and to be reunited with their … Continue Reading
