Press Releases
Cortez Masto Votes to Confirm Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) voted today to confirm Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture. "Nevada's farmers, ranchers, and dairymen play a vital role in our economy, and I'm confident Tom Vilsack has the experience necessary to support our agricultural industry. I'm looking forward to working with Secretary Vilsack to prioritize programs that keep our rural communities running, administer food aid to Nevada families in need, and combat climate … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Cortez Masto, Rosen Request Update on Status of Intergovernmental Executive Committees at Naval Air Station Fallon and the Nevada Test and Training Range
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) sent a letter to the Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin, and the Acting Secretary of the Interior, Scott de la Vega, requesting an update on interagency efforts to establish Intergovernmental Executive Committees (IEC) at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon in Northern Nevada and the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) in Southern Nevada. The legislation authorizing these committees was drafted by … Continue Reading
February 19, 2021
Cortez Masto: U.S. Citizenship Act is a Long-overdue Step in the Right Direction
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today joined Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) in becoming an original cosponsor of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, bicameral legislation that would provide millions of hardworking undocumented immigrants with a pathway to citizenship. "Our long-broken immigration system has forced millions of undocumented and mixed-status families to live in the shadows and has also failed to safely and humanely secure our border. The US … Continue Reading
February 19, 2021
Cortez Masto’s Week in Review: Support for Nevada’s Job Seekers
Las Vegas, Nev. - This week, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) emphasized bills and constituent meetings to help interested Nevada workers prepare for and pursue careers in in-demand industries. "As Nevada looks to recover from the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, our first priority should be supporting our workers, especially those who may have decided to reevaluate their careers or seek further training. I want to give both current workers who'd … Continue Reading
February 19, 2021
Cortez Masto, Commerce Secretary Nominee Governor Raimondo Meet to Discuss Job Growth & Economic Recovery
Las Vegas, Nev. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) met with Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, President Biden's nominee for Secretary of Commerce, to discuss how the U.S. Department of Commerce can be a helpful ally to Nevada in promoting the state's job growth and economic recovery from COVID-19. "It's no secret that Nevada's small businesses, hospitality and tourism industries have suffered at disproportionate rates and continue to hurt right now. That is why I have … Continue Reading
February 19, 2021
Cortez Masto Introduces Legislation to Help Job Seekers
Las Vegas, Nev. - As part of her Innovation State Initiative, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today introduced a bill to create a public-private partnership that would help job seekers in Nevada and across the country find critical information about employment opportunities. The Workforce Promotion to Access Training to Help Workers, Adults, and Youth Succeed (PATHWAYS) Act would establish a consortium of businesses, labor leaders, and education groups to highlight emerging … Continue Reading
February 19, 2021
Cortez Masto Applauds $6.4 Million for Emergency COVID-19 Care Facility
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $6,497,176.14 to Renown Medical Center to reimburse Renown for the temporary hospital that it set up in a parking garage in Reno to cope with COVID-19 case surges in April and November of 2020. "Renown Medical Center and so many other health care providers have been on the front lines during … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Cortez Masto Hosts Roundtable with Representatives from Nevada’s Travel and Tourism Industries
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) hosted a roundtable discussion with travel and tourism business leaders to discuss the challenges Nevada's hospitality industries have faced during the coronavirus pandemic. She also underscored the need for comprehensive relief and recovery measures for the convention, trade show, entertainment, travel and hospitality industries and their workers, as well as the need to assist hard-hit small businesses with additional … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Cortez Masto Proposes Funding to Improve Public Safety With Mobile Crisis Response Teams
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and six of their colleagues in introducing a bill to help states adopt mobile crisis response teams that can be dispatched when a person is experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder (SUD) crisis instead of immediately involving law enforcement. The Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) Act provides funding through an enhanced federal match … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Cortez Masto Joins Vice President Harris, Congressional and Advocacy Leaders to Discuss the Importance of Coronavirus Relief for American Women
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today joined Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.-03), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.-13), and leaders of women's advocacy organizations for a virtual roundtable discussion on the critical importance of passing the American Rescue Plan - particularly for women. The discussion can be viewed here. "The coronavirus pandemic has hit women disproportionately hard, and … Continue Reading
February 17, 2021
Cortez Masto Hosts Town Hall With Nevada’s First-Generation Assistance Program Students, Mentors, and Directors
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today hosted a virtual town hall with first-generation students participating in college access programs around Nevada. The conversation focused on how Congress can best support these students and what we can do to increase equity in opportunities for future generations. "First generation students are often from communities of color, which have been the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. From coping with issues related to … Continue Reading
February 17, 2021
Cortez Masto Meets With Transportation Secretary Buttigieg
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today met virtually with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to discuss her transportation and infrastructure priorities for the state of Nevada. "I appreciated the opportunity to discuss with Secretary Buttigieg several issues affecting transportation in the Silver State, including the expansion of I-11 and my Innovation State Initiative to promote electric vehicles, clean energy infrastructure, smart cities, and … Continue Reading
February 17, 2021
Cortez Masto: We Must Grow & Modernize Our Transportation Workforce for a 21st-Century Economy
Las Vegas, Nev. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the Transportation Opportunities for Professional Service (TOPS) Act, legislation aimed at developing a 21st-century transportation workforce through federal training and educational programs. The TOPS Act directs the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) to create a task force to conduct an assessment of the current state of the transportation workforce and develop strategies to improve and diversify … Continue Reading
February 16, 2021
Cortez Masto Introduces Legislation to Promote Job Training, Apprenticeships for In-Demand Industries
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) re-introduced legislation to promote education and training-including registered apprenticeship programs-for workers in in-demand industries. The Working On Rewarding and Keeping Employees Resilient (WORKER) Act will ensure employees have access to good-paying careers in skilled jobs throughout Nevada and the nation. "The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need to diversify Nevada's economy and ensure that all interested … Continue Reading
February 13, 2021
Cortez Masto Releases Statement on Her Vote to Convict Donald J. Trump
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today issued the following statement regarding her vote to convict Donald J. Trump of incitement of insurrection in the wake of the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. "It was clear from the facts and evidence presented during the trial that while serving as our President, Donald J. Trump intentionally disrupted the peaceful transfer of power in this country when he lied to his supporters by claiming the election was … Continue Reading
February 12, 2021
Cortez Masto Voices Support for Renaming of McCarran International Airport
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in support of the Clark County Commission's efforts to rename McCarran International Airport as Harry Reid International Airport. "Millions of travelers pass through Las Vegas's airport each year, and I'm proud to support renaming the airport after the fearless and inimitable Harry Reid. Attaching Senator Reid's name to the gateway to Southern Nevada and all its treasures is a fitting tribute to a … Continue Reading
February 12, 2021
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Unveil Plan to Overhaul Unemployment Insurance Technology
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), along with Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), this week introduced the Unemployment Insurance Technology Modernization Act, legislation that would establish a single set of technology and security capabilities for state unemployment offices. "Nevada has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, with many of its workers still out of work in … Continue Reading
February 12, 2021
Cortez Masto Celebrates Black History Month
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement commemorating Black History Month throughout February. "Black Americans in Nevada and across our country have made our state and our nation stronger. Understanding the central role Black Americans have played in every part of our nation's history is the first step to creating a fairer and more just America. As we celebrate African Americans' achievements, diversity, and vibrant culture during … Continue Reading
February 12, 2021
Cortez Masto Celebrates Black History Month
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement commemorating Black History Month throughout February. "Black Americans in Nevada and across our country have made our state and our nation stronger. Understanding the central role Black Americans have played in every part of our nation's history is the first step to creating a fairer and more just America. As we celebrate African Americans' achievements, diversity, and vibrant culture during … Continue Reading
February 11, 2021
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Expand Child Tax Credits
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today joined Senators Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in introducing a bill to expand the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to help families pay for the costs of child care. The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Act would also help increase employment rates and earnings of parents, as well as reduce child poverty. "The coronavirus pandemic has reminded us of how critical affordable child … Continue Reading