Press Releases
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Improve Resettlement Process for Unaccompanied Children, Protect Sponsors
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), along with Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), in re-introducing the Families Not Facilities Act, legislation that would prohibit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from … Continue Reading
February 07, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors ANTIQUITIES Act to Combat Executive Threats to Public Lands
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined 23 Democratic senators in re-introducing the ANTIQUITIES Act of 2019, which protects national monuments and establishes new wilderness areas in Nevada. "Nevadans take great pride in our national monuments, Gold Butte and Basin and Range, as well as the Silver State's many other natural treasures. Our public lands are an essential part of our outdoor economy, sustain thousands of good-paying jobs, and have deep cultural and … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Prohibit Separation of Migrant Families
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in reintroducing the Keep Families Together Act, legislation that would prohibit the separation of migrant children from their parents or legal guardians by immigration officials at ports of entry or within 100 miles of the border. "Despite the Trump administration's reversal of their inhumane family separation policy, they have recently admitted that more children have been separated … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
Cortez Masto Applauds $1 Million to Invest in Engineering Students and Diversify STEM Workforce
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) welcomed a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to support 32 high-achieving students from low-income families pursuing engineering degrees at the University of Nevada, Reno. The Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) program aims to expand access to engineering education and diversify the STEM workforce. "Future leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics should … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
Cortez Masto, Menendez Urge Equal Treatment for Puerto Rico in Disaster Relief
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) urged Senate and House appropriators to include disaster relief funding for Puerto Rico in any supplemental disaster assistance package prepared by Congress. In a letter, the senators called for action in response to President Trump's threats to deny additional funding to Puerto Rico despite dwindling funds and an ongoing humanitarian crisis. "Puerto Rico is in dire need of additional disaster … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
Cortez Masto, Crapo, Bipartisan Group of Senators Send Letter Requesting Administration Stabilize Medicare Advantage Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) in a letter urging the Administration to stabilize the Medicare Advantage program that provides quality health care to 21 million seniors and individuals with disabilities. The senators wrote to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma requesting she consider how to strengthen the program, innovate with technology and ensure predictability for … Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Cortez Masto Statement on State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in response to President Trump's State of the Union address: "Tonight, President Trump painted a picture of an America with more pessimism than promise. Instead of bringing us together, he doubled down on the same old divisive rhetoric and once again sought to pit neighbors against each other. The President was unyielding in his demand for American taxpayers to pay billions to build a wall he … Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Cortez Masto, Democratic Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Help Prevent Housing Discrimination
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced The Home Loan Quality Transparency Act to reinstate Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection … Continue Reading
February 04, 2019
Cortez Masto Statement on Interior Secretary Nominee David Bernhardt
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) issued the following statement on the nomination of David Bernhardt to be U.S. Interior Secretary. "With over 85 percent of Nevada's lands owned by the federal government, the Department of Interior is a key partner with local communities in fostering economic development, creating opportunities for jobs in renewable energy, and in preserving our states' vital public lands like Red Rock and the Ruby Mountains. Acting Secretary … Continue Reading
February 04, 2019
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Prevent President Using Emergency Declaration to Raid Funds for Border Wall
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Senate Democratic colleagues to introduce the Restrictions Against Illegitimate Declarations for Emergency Re-appropriations (RAIDER) Act of 2019. The legislation prevents the president from utilizing the National Emergencies Act of 1976 to raid critical military construction and disaster response funds to construct his wall along the southern … Continue Reading
February 04, 2019
Cortez Masto Applauds $8.1 Million in Grants to Repair NV Roads Following Natural Disasters
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) celebrated the awarding of three federal grants totaling $8.1 million to the Nevada Department of Transportation (DOT). The grants are allocated through the U.S. DOT's Emergency Relief (ER) program to repair damage caused to highways and roads following natural disasters. "This grants package of $8.1 million will address widespread road and highway damage caused by storms and floods that prompted emergency declarations in Nevada. … Continue Reading
February 04, 2019
Cortez Masto Invites Federal Worker Impacted by Trump Shutdown as Guest to State of the Union
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement announcing Dr. Michael Moradshahi, a second generation American and licensed psychologist who has served in the Department of Veteran Affairs and currently works in the Indian Health System (IHS) in Reno, as her guest to the State of the Union. Dr. Moradshahi was forced to work without pay during the Trump shutdown. "It's my honor to bring Dr. Michael Moradshahi as my guest to the State of the … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
Cortez Masto Commemorates Black History Month
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement commemorating Black History Month, which spans the month of February. "African-American history and heritage are woven into the fabric of the Silver State. From the first black settlers of Virginia City to modern-day heroes like labor activist Hattie Canty and former state Senator Joe Neal, African-Americans have left an indelible mark on Nevada's politics, economy and culture. As we celebrate … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
Cortez Masto, Rosen Demand Answers on Shipment of Plutonium to Nevada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) sent a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Rick Perry demanding information about the agency's decision to secretly transport one-half metric ton of weapons-grade plutonium to Nevada's National Security Site (NNSS) and expressing outrage over the Department's lack of good-faith negotiations with the State of Nevada. "We write to you today to express our continued outrage at your Department's … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
Cortez Masto Congratulates UNLV on $1.4 Million Grant to Finance Transportation Research and Education
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) welcomed a $1.4 million grant from the Department of Transportation to finance transportation research and training at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). UNLV is one of 32 University Transportation Centers (UTC's) across the country that received funding to promote new solutions that address national, regional and local transportation issues. "I'm delighted the Department of Transportation has awarded UNLV with a 1.4 … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
Cortez Masto Introduces Ruby Mountains Protection Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the Ruby Mountains Protection Act, a bill to prohibit oil and gas leasing on the Ruby Mountains. "Expansive oil and gas drilling on the Ruby Mountains is not only a threat to one of the Silver State's natural treasures, it also risks the livelihoods of Nevadans who rely on our state's outdoor economy. I'm proud to stand alongside a coalition of local business leaders, conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts who are … Continue Reading
January 31, 2019
Cortez Masto Demands Answers from U.S. Energy Department on Shipment of Plutonium to Nevada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after meeting with officials from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) about the U.S. Department of Energy's decision to ship a half metric ton of plutonium for storage in the State of Nevada without the consent of the Governor, Nevada's congressional delegation and local communities. Senator Cortez Masto questioned the officials about any future plans to ship additional nuclear … Continue Reading
January 31, 2019
Cortez Masto Welcomes Over $14 Million to Stem Homelessness in Nevada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) celebrated the awarding of over $14 million in Continuum of Care (CoC) grants by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to Nevada for local homeless housing and service programs. "The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded over $14 million to critical support agencies and programs in Nevada helping individuals and families struggling with homelessness. Thousands of Nevadans … Continue Reading
January 31, 2019
Cortez Masto, Rosen Send Letter to DOE Secretary Demanding Answers into Sexual Assault Allegations at NNSA Site
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) sent a letter to Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry, urging the Department to launch an investigation into the alleged sexual assault, harassment, and retaliation that took place before, during, and after November 2017 at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), according to a January 25th article in the New York Times. According to the article, a guard at the site, named Jennifer Glover, … Continue Reading
January 30, 2019
Cortez Masto, Cornyn, Hassan Introduce Legislation to Help Law Enforcement Identify Child Trafficking Victims
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Margaret Wood Hassan (D-N.H.) introduced the Interdiction for the Protection of Child Victims of Exploitation and Human Trafficking Act. This legislation would require the U.S. Attorney General to establish a pilot program to train federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement officers to recognize and rescue at-risk and exploited children. Congressmen Michael McCaul (R-TX-10) and Henry Cuellar … Continue Reading
