Press Releases
BREAKING: Biden Administration Implements Cortez Masto Legislation To Provide Relief to First Responders
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it would be implementing her bipartisan legislation to ensure ambulance providers and first responders are still paid for treating Medicare patients who are not transported to emergency rooms or similar destinations. Previously, ambulances were put in the difficult position of only receiving payment if they transported patients … Continue Reading
April 30, 2021
Cortez Masto Introduces TRAVEL Act to Boost Nevada’s Tourism Economy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today introduced legislation to strengthen the American economy by promoting infrastructure that fosters travel and tourism. The Transportation Resources Adding Vital Economic Longevity (TRAVEL) Act would make sure that federal, state, and local governments are taking travel and tourism needs into account as part of their transportation plans, helping boost economies like Nevada's that have been hit especially hard due to travel … Continue Reading
April 30, 2021
Cortez Masto and Portman Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Further Combat Chinese Government’s Influence on Technology Standards Setting
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) introduced bipartisan legislation to make sure the United States is positioned to lead international standards-setting, counter the Chinese government's influence and protect American jobs. This legislation would require the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to create a task force that would counter Chinese influence and ensure the United States is leading the emerging technology … Continue Reading
April 29, 2021
Cortez Masto & Rosen Secure Critical Nevada Priorities in Senate-Passed Water Bill
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act passed the Senate on a bipartisan, 89-2 vote. This bipartisan legislation will deliver more than $35 billion nationwide to ensure all Americans have access to clean water by upgrading aging and degraded water infrastructure, including replacing lead pipes. This is an urgent need across Nevada and will help … Continue Reading
April 28, 2021
Cortez Masto Statement on President Biden’s Speech
Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) issued the following statement following President Joe Biden's speech on the eve of his 100th day in office. "Over the past 100 days, our nation has made tremendous progress, coming together to deliver a historic rescue package that is helping bring American communities back from a devastating year. Back at home, I have seen firsthand how the American Rescue Plan is getting shots in arms, students back in the classroom, and … Continue Reading
April 26, 2021
Cortez Masto & Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Upgrade Schools and Public Buildings
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the Public Buildings Renewal Act, bipartisan legislation that incentivizes private investment to rebuild schools and other public buildings through public-private partnerships. Implementing public-private partnerships to fund repairs in just 20% of all government buildings would create 1.3 million jobs … Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
Cortez Masto, Murkowski Hail Interior & DOJ Announcement on Their Bipartisan Law to Curb Epidemic of Missing, Murdered and Trafficked Native Women
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) released the following statements after the Departments of Interior (DOI) and Justice (DOJ) announced that they would be enacting a joint commission to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, a key component of Cortez Masto's bipartisan Not Invisible Act, which was signed into law last year. "This is a welcome step from the Administration and it will make an enormous difference … Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
Cortez Masto & Toomey Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Ensure Survivors of Sexual Assault Can Access Victims’ Benefits
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) re-introduced the Fairness for Rape Kit Backlog Survivors Act to ensure that survivors of sexual assault have access to the same benefits as victims of other crimes. As a result of rape kit backlogs across the country, many survivors of sexual assault are unable to access state crime victim compensation when they need it-when their kits are finally tested and matched. Cortez Masto's bipartisan legislation … Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
Cortez Masto Statement on the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act
Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after voting in favor of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which passed the Senate on a bipartisan 94-1 vote. Originally introduced by Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Representative Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), this legislation will address the rise of hate crimes and violence targeted at Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Cortez Masto signed onto this bill as a cosponsor last month … Continue Reading
April 21, 2021
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Expand & Make Permanent Minority Business Development Agency
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the Minority Business Resiliency Act of 2021. The bill would make permanent and expand the reach of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), which was created by Executive Order in 1969. The bill would also place MBDA regional offices in more communities, increase the agency's grant making capacity, and create a Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development. "It's critical … Continue Reading
April 21, 2021
Cortez Masto Introduces Legislation to Help Expand Access to Nevada Public Lands
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced two pieces of legislation to help underrepresented communities, educational organizations, and community groups access and enjoy Nevada's public lands for outdoor recreation. "Every Nevadan should have access to our beautiful public lands - it's part of what makes the Silver State so special," said Senator Cortez Masto. "Yet the cumbersome permitting process often prevents small organizations, schools, and … Continue Reading
April 21, 2021
Cortez Masto Meets With Education Secretary Cardona, Urges Robust Support for Student Mental Health
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) met virtually with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to discuss the mental health needs of Nevada's school children. She recently wrote a letter calling on the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education to launch a coordinated, all-of-government response to help students recover from the severe stress and trauma they experienced during a year of remote school and isolation. "Nevada's students have endured an … Continue Reading
April 20, 2021
Cortez Masto Statement on Derek Chauvin Trial
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement following the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial. "This was the right decision. George Floyd should still be alive today. Though the pain experienced by Mr. Floyd's family, Minneapolis, and all of America cannot be erased, this is a step toward justice. Black Lives Matter. Our work is far from done. We must continue working together to create a stronger, more inclusive justice system that protects … Continue Reading
April 20, 2021
Cortez Masto Visits White House, Calls for Focus on Jobs & Economic Recovery for Nevada’s Latino Community
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after her visit with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to the White House, where she advocated for additional support to help Hispanic-Americans get back to work and to boost Hispanic-owned small businesses. During the meeting, Senator Cortez Masto specifically called for President Biden to create an interagency American Jobs Plan equity task force to ensure federal resources go to communities with … Continue Reading
April 14, 2021
Cortez Masto Leads Legislation to Curb Harmful Practices in the Franchise Sector, Protect Small Business Owners
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) re-introduced legislation to protect entrepreneurs from bad actors in the franchise industry who use deceptive financial information to sell underperforming or unprofitable businesses. The SBA Franchise Loan Transparency Act, cosponsored by Senators Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), would require that a prospective franchise owner receive accurate … Continue Reading
April 13, 2021
Cortez Masto Releases Alarming New Report Detailing Harmful Practices in Franchise Sector, Calls For Transparency and Oversight
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released a report on a slew of troubling practices affecting businesses operating as franchises that have squeezed investors and entrepreneurs for decades, causing countless Americans to go into bankruptcy while boosting the bottom line of multi-national corporations. Senator Cortez Masto's white paper is the first major Congressional report on the harm deceptive franchise practices have caused franchise owners across the country. … Continue Reading
April 10, 2021
Newsletter - A busy couple of weeks in Nevada
April 08, 2021
Cortez Masto Statement on the Implementation of COBRA Benefits She Secured in American Rescue Plan
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Department of Labor (DoL) implemented the COBRA benefits she secured in the American Rescue Plan. Cortez Masto's provisions mean that laid off and furloughed workers in the Silver State and across the country can keep their health insurance plans if they are laid off or furloughed due to the pandemic. The DoL guidance includes answers to Frequently Asked Questions for workers wondering … Continue Reading
April 06, 2021
Cortez Masto Urges Biden Administration to Address COVID-19 Student Mental Health & Suicide Crisis
Las Vegas, Nev. - In response to widespread challenges in students' mental and behavioral health during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the spike in student suicides, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) is calling on the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education to launch a coordinated, all-of-government response. In a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Cortez Masto highlights the severe stress and trauma experienced by … Continue Reading
April 05, 2021
Cortez Masto Secures More Than $6 Million to Address Nevada’s Affordable Housing Crisis
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today announced that the state of Nevada will receive $6,754,852 in Housing Trust Fund (HTF) grants, more than double what the state usually receives. These grants are a direct result of Cortez Masto's advocacy during the previous administration, which tried to cut funding for this vital program. With HTF funding, Nevada will be able to build, rehabilitate, and maintain affordable housing for extremely low- and very low-income … Continue Reading
