Press Releases
Newsletter - 5,000 Nevada Lives
March 04, 2021
Cortez Masto Introduces Bills to Protect Ruby Mountains, Ruby Lake, and Other Public Lands From Oil and Gas Leasing
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today re-introduced legislation designed to protect public lands from speculative oil and gas leasing, including a bill to prohibit oil and gas development in Nevada's beautiful and pristine Ruby Mountains. "Nevadans depend on the public lands in our beautiful state for grazing, mining, recreation, and our outdoor and travel economy. This legislation would protect these landscapes from oil and gas companies' speculative oil and … Continue Reading
March 03, 2021
Cortez Masto Highlights Nevada Priorities During Meeting With AG Nominee Merrick Garland
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today met virtually with Judge Merrick Garland, President Biden's nominee for Attorney General of the United States. "As Attorney General of Nevada, I spent every day focused on keeping our state safe, and during my conversation with Judge Garland I was pleased to discuss our shared goal of protecting Nevadans in every corner of our state. Our Department of Justice must support Nevada's tribes, protect women from trafficking and … Continue Reading
March 03, 2021
Cortez Masto Announces New Communications Director
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement announcing her new Communications Director, Josh Marcus-Blank. "I'm thrilled to welcome Josh to our team. An experienced communicator, Josh will help my office engage Nevadans in every corner of our state and make sure our communities know that we are here to make a difference for them, during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond." Josh Marcus-Blank is the former campaign communications director … Continue Reading
March 03, 2021
Cortez Masto Introduces Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act. The bipartisan legislation will protect over 2 million acres of public land for conservation and recreation while allowing Clark County to develop affordable housing and responsibly plan for population growth projections. This text would be the largest conservation bill in Nevada history. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) is a cosponsor of the bill. … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Reintroduce Background Check Expansion Act to Reduce Gun Violence
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today joined Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) in leading 39 of their colleagues in reintroducing the Background Check Expansion Act to expand federal background checks to all gun sales. Under current federal law, unlicensed or private sellers are not required to conduct a background check prior to transferring a firearm. 97% of … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Cortez Masto Votes to Place Raimondo as Head of the Commerce Department
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after her vote to confirm Gina Raimondo as Secretary of Commerce: "As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to present challenges to our struggling small businesses, hospitality, travel, and tourism industries, Nevada needs a partner in the fight to give these industries the support they need to recover. And as the census count continues, the Commerce Department must follow the Constitution … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Cortez Masto, Titus Lead Rosen, Horsford, and Lee in Efforts to Prevent Nuclear Waste Storage at Yucca Mountain
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Representative Dina Titus (D-Nev.-01), along with Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Representative Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04), and Representative Susie Lee (D-Nev.-03), re-introduced the Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act in the Senate and House. This legislation would ensure that state, local, and tribal governments are central to a permanent repository and storage program, and it would give Nevadans a meaningful voice in any … Continue Reading
March 01, 2021
Cortez Masto Joins Bipartisan Discussion on Infrastructure With Accelerator for America
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Representative Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.-09), Mayor David Holt, and Mayor Eric Garcetti for a bipartisan discussion about the importance of investing in infrastructure in Nevada and across the country, especially in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Senator Cortez Masto discussed her legislative priorities to support new transportation technologies, engage in better planning, and foster greater assistance for projects in … Continue Reading
March 01, 2021
Cortez Masto Votes in Favor of Miguel Cardona for Secretary of Education
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) voted today to confirm Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education. "Teachers, students, and parents across the Silver State have endured an incredibly challenging year. As a former teacher, principal, and administrator, Secretary Cardona understands these challenges and is well-equipped to lead the Department of Education as it seeks to help our nation's young people recover from the coronavirus pandemic and build better a better … Continue Reading
February 26, 2021
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Support State Medicaid Programs During an Economic Crisis
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), and U.S. Representative Susie Lee (D-Nev.-03) introduced the Coronavirus Medicaid Response Act. This legislation would respond to the increased need for health care during the public health and economic crisis by creating a quicker and more responsive process for supporting state Medicaid programs. It would address fluctuating demand in states for Medicaid by automatically connecting the Medicaid Federal … Continue Reading
February 26, 2021
Cortez Masto Joins Efforts to Reduce Racial Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccine Response
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today joined U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) in reintroducing the updated COVID-19 Health Disparities Action Act that would support targeted and culturally competent public awareness campaigns about COVID-19 vaccines and preventative measures such as masking and social distancing. These campaigns would specifically target communities disproportionately harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic, including racial … Continue Reading
February 26, 2021
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Civil Rights Bill to Protect LGBTQ Americans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in cosponsoring the Equality Act, comprehensive civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community in the areas of employment, education, credit, jury service, federal funding, housing, and public accommodations. "LGBTQ+ Americans have fiercely fought for social and political equality for decades but continue to face discrimination in a host of … Continue Reading
February 25, 2021
Cortez Masto Leads House and Senate Colleagues in Bipartisan Bill to Support Hospitality, Travel, and Tourism Industries
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) along with U.S. House of Representatives Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.-04), and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.-20) today unveiled the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act of 2021, legislation that would provide comprehensive relief and recovery measures for the convention, trade show, entertainment, travel and hospitality industries and their workers. It would stimulate the economy by … Continue Reading
February 25, 2021
Cortez Masto Outlines Aggressive Legislative Strategy to Promote Cleaner Transportation, Fight Climate Change
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today introduced a comprehensive package of bills designed to promote the use of cleaner transportation and improve the health and safety of Nevada communities. The bills, which are part of the Senator's Innovation State Initiative, would require a national commission and strategy to promote electric vehicle adoption, ensure all communities have access to clean transportation technology, encourage construction of clean fueling … Continue Reading
February 25, 2021
Cortez Masto Votes to Confirm Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) voted today to confirm Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy. "Governor Jennifer Granholm has a strong record of embracing renewable energy, which promises to benefit Nevada. The majority of the Silver State's in-state energy assets are renewable resources, and the state is positioned well to continue building upon the renewable energy industry. I look forward to working with Secretary Granholm to expand Nevada's clean energy … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Cortez Masto Highlights COBRA, Mental Health, Indian Health Services at Becerra Confirmation Hearing
Washington, D.C. - In a Finance Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) discussed her health care priorities with California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, President Biden's nominee for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). She also secured commitments from the nominee if confirmed to secure continuity of health care coverage for laid off and furloughed workers and to speak with the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs about improvements … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Expand Counseling for Homeowners and Renters
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today joined Senators Bob Menendez (D- N.J.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) in introducing the Coronavirus Housing Counseling Improvement Act, legislation to expand access to housing counseling and assistance services for millions of families still struggling to remain in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. "As Attorney General during the foreclosure crisis in Nevada, I saw firsthand the devastation that families face when they … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Cortez Masto, Gillibrand, Jayapal Introduce Bill to Safeguard Immigrant Children in Government Custody
Washington, D.C. - This week, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) along with U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) led their Senate and House colleagues in introducing the Protection of Kids in Detention (PROKID) Act, legislation that would provide a new, stronger layer of oversight to ensure and enforce transparency, protection, and accountability for all immigrant children in any kind of government custody. "The world watched in disbelief as … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Cortez Masto Joins Colleagues in Introducing Bicameral, Bipartisan Bill to End Child Exploitation
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Representatives Anthony Gonzalez (Ohio-16), Annie Kuster (N.H.-02), Guy Reschenthaler (Pa.-14), and Lucy McBath (Ga.-06) in reintroducing the END Child Exploitation Act, legislation designed to extend the period of time that technology companies are required to preserve information about child sexual abuse images they report to the National Center … Continue Reading
