Press Releases
Cortez Masto, Durbin, Senate Dems Introduce Bill to Protect Unemployed Workers’ Health Insurance During Pandemic
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) re-introduced the Worker Health Coverage Protection Act, a bill that would protect millions of unemployed or furloughed workers from losing their health insurance in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would allow laid off workers to remain on their employer health plans, through the COBRA program, at no cost. "Nevada's hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors have been some of … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Cortez Masto, Rosen Applaud $6.9 Million for Workforce Development in Las Vegas
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant in the amount of $6,930,635 to the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) to support job-seekers who want to find work in in-demand industries. CSN's planned education and training center in Las Vegas's historic Westside will provide not only skills training, but GED access, English learner … Continue Reading
February 03, 2021
Cortez Masto Calls for More Support for Nevada’s Tribal Communities During Pandemic
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) spoke on the Senate floor today about the importance of doing more to support Nevada's Tribes and tribal communities in upcoming COVID-19 relief legislation. Senator Cortez Masto's remarks are available in VIDEO FORMAT. Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery: I rise to join my colleagues in urging more help for Native American communities. In Nevada, as across the … Continue Reading
February 02, 2021
Cortez Masto Meets with SBA Administrator Nominee Isabel Guzman
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today met with Isabel Guzman, who has been nominated by President Biden for Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA). "Nevada's small businesses have been so hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic. From supporting local entertainment and live-events businesses through PPP funding and Shuttered Venue Operator Grants, to protecting franchisees from predatory behavior, the SBA will play a crucial role in … Continue Reading
February 02, 2021
Cortez Masto Votes to Confirm Mayorkas to Lead DHS in New Direction
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) voted to confirm Alejandro Mayorkas as the next Secretary of Homeland Security. "In the coming years, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will be charged with addressing the rising national security threats-both at home and abroad-that our country faces, while at the same time implementing an immigration system that stays true to our values. The scars of the Trump administration's attacks on immigrant communities … Continue Reading
February 02, 2021
Cortez Masto Votes in Favor of Buttigieg for Secretary of Transportation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) voted today to confirm Mayor Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation. "Pete Buttigieg has made clear his priorities: to invest in much-needed infrastructure improvements, to bolster electric vehicles and other solutions to reduce air pollution and combat the climate crisis, and to promote a mix of transportation solutions that benefit pedestrians and commuters alike. These goals promise to generate good-paying jobs in … Continue Reading
February 01, 2021
Cortez Masto Introduces Two Bipartisan Bills to Help Small Businesses
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) re-introduced two pieces of bipartisan legislation to help Nevada's small businesses compete in the 21st century economy. The SECURE Small Business Act, cosponsored by Senators James Risch (R-Idaho) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), would protect small businesses from expensive data breaches and cyber-attacks by establishing a cooperative at the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help small businesses access information on data … Continue Reading
January 29, 2021
Cortez Masto’s Week in Review: Coronavirus Mitigation and Behavioral Health Resources
Washington, D.C. - This week, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) supported numerous pieces of legislation and Congressional efforts to improve Nevadans' access to health care and mental health services during the coronavirus pandemic. "The coronavirus pandemic is still taking an incredible toll on Nevadans' physical and mental health. This week, I focused on introducing legislation to improve health care services for struggling Nevadans, from a bill that would make health … Continue Reading
January 29, 2021
Cortez Masto, Cassidy Introduce Legislation to Reimburse Ambulance Providers for Services Delivered During Coronavirus Pandemic
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.) introduced legislation to reimburse ambulance providers for services delivered to Medicare beneficiaries during the coronavirus pandemic. Because of high demand for hospital beds, many ambulance providers have been directed to care for patients in settings other than emergency rooms-whether at patients' homes or in other health care facilities. Unfortunately, Medicare does not pay ambulance … Continue Reading
January 29, 2021
Cortez Masto, Rosen Announce Nearly $18 Million in Grants to Counter Nevada Homelessness, Eighth Highest in Nation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) today announced $17,834,762 in grant funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The 48 grants were awarded to Nevada organizations across the state as part of HUD's Continuum of Care (CoC) Program, which provides communitywide support to ending homelessness. "It's unacceptable that Nevada has some of the highest rates of homelessness in the country. We are pleased to see these … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Cortez Masto Questions Rouse, Fudge on Travel Industry, Housing Crises
Washington, D.C. - In a Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) met with Dr. Cecilia Rouse, President Biden's nominee for Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, and Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, the nominee for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Senator Cortez Masto talked to Dr. Rouse about issues "surrounding the hospitality industry and tourism industry, because Nevada has been so hard hit. Our resort … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Cortez Masto, Horsford Introduce Bill to Make Health Care More Affordable for Families With Working Children
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Congressman Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04) today introduced the Dependent Income Exclusion Act to make health insurance more affordable for families with children who have part-time jobs or are enrolled in job training programs. This legislation would allow families to exclude specific dependent income when calculating their eligibility for Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Sherrod Brown … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Cortez Masto, Horsford Introduce Bill to Make Health Care More Affordable for Families With Working Children
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Congressman Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04) today introduced the Dependent Income Exclusion Act to make health insurance more affordable for families with children who have part-time jobs or are enrolled in job training programs. This legislation would allow families to exclude specific dependent income when calculating their eligibility for Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Sherrod Brown … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Cortez Masto Questions Granholm About Plutonium, Clean Energy, Secures Administration’s Commitment to Oppose Yucca Mountain
Washington, D.C. - In an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, President Biden's nominee for Secretary of Energy, about Yucca Mountain, plutonium storage, and the Department of Energy's (DOE's) plan to combat the climate crisis. Senator Cortez Masto called the effort to site a spent nuclear waste facility at Yucca Mountain "a failed policy. . . . We … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Cortez Masto Aims to Bolster Virtual Peer Support Behavioral Health Programs in New Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) re-introduced her Virtual Peer Support Act, legislation intended to help boost the capacity of peer behavioral health support programs by transitioning them to an online setting. Specifically, this bill would provide $50 million in grants through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to eligible organizations to fund the implementation of new virtual peer support programs and the expansion of … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Cortez Masto, Rosen Applaud Biden Administration’s Actions to Boost Vaccine Supply
Washington, D.C. - Today, following a call with the White House on the distribution of vaccines to Nevada, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) released the following statement applauding President Biden for taking action to increase the weekly supply of COVID-19 vaccines in Nevada and across the country, as well as increase transparency to states, tribes, and territories. "Ensuring Nevadans have access to the coronavirus vaccine is one of my top priorities, … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Cortez Masto, Scott Introduce Bill to Ease Access to Telehealth Services
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) will introduce bipartisan legislation, the Ensuring Parity in Medicare Advantage for Audio-Only Telehealth Act of 2021, to facilitate Medicare Advantage enrollees' access to telehealth during the pandemic, even if they can only make an audio connection to providers. "Many of Nevada's seniors have been following guidance to rely on telehealth services during the coronavirus … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Cortez Masto Votes to Confirm Antony Blinken as Secretary of State
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) voted today to confirm Antony Blinken as Secretary of State. "Tony Blinken understands the importance of strong partnerships and continued engagement with our allies abroad to ensure a secure and prosperous place for America in the world. I was especially glad to hear him recognize the challenge China represents to our economy and to the human rights we value. In working with Secretary Blinken, I will continue to advocate for … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Cortez Masto Votes to Put Yellen at Helm of Treasury
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) voted today to confirm Dr. Janet Yellen as Secretary of the Treasury. "From her time as chair of the Council of Economic Advisors to her stewardship of the Federal Reserve, Secretary Yellen has the broad experience necessary to help stimulate the economy, support struggling Nevadans, and put the country on a path to recovery. Based on our conversations, I believe that she understands the coronavirus pandemic's impact on Nevada's … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Cortez Masto Votes to Confirm General Austin as Secretary of Defense
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) voted to confirm General Lloyd J. Austin III as Secretary of Defense. The Senator voted to confirm him today based on his merits and qualifications, independent of the concerns she voiced yesterday about the waiver for him to serve in the position. "The United States is facing many pressing security threats, both at home and abroad. Secretary Designate Austin is extremely qualified to take on the important tasks of protecting our … Continue Reading