Press Releases
Cortez Masto Calls for the Creation of Women’s History and Latino Museums
Washington, D.C. - During this week's Senate Rules Committee hearing on the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Act and the National Museum of the American Latino Act, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) delivered opening remarks in support of both bills in which she underscored the importance of the creation of both museums to America's interests. "One of the things that I think is so important to emphasize when we're discussing these future museums is that they're not … Continue Reading
November 17, 2020
Cortez Masto, Toomey Introduce Bill to Ensure Fair Compensation Benefits for Survivors of Sexual Assault
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) introduced the Fairness for Rape Kit Backlog Survivors Act of 2020 to ensure that survivors of sexual assault have fair access to benefits for crime victims. As a result of rape kit backlogs across the country, many survivors of sexual assault lose eligibility to apply for state victim compensation programs due to state time limits that are shorter than the amount of time the survivors have to wait … Continue Reading
November 17, 2020
Cortez Masto, Daines Lead Letter Urging Fix to Seaman to Admiral Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) sent a letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee urging them to restore full pay and benefits to 515 Navy officers who have participated in the Seaman to Admiral-21(STA-21) program through legislation in this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). "STA-21 sends a select group of enlisted sailors to college to earn their baccalaureate degree and officer commission, in exchange for a … Continue Reading
November 17, 2020
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Create an American Women’s History Museum
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in cosponsoring the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Act, a bipartisan bill to establish an American women's history museum in our nation's capital. "Our country's success depends on our understanding of its history. Yet, too often, the contributions, accomplishments, challenges and influence of women across generations have been … Continue Reading
November 16, 2020
Cortez Masto, Hirono, Klobuchar Lead Colleagues in Urging DHS to Increase Air Travel Safety and Support Tourism Industry and Workforce During COVID-19 Pandemic
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) led seven of their Senate colleagues in writing a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf asking for DHS to increase the safety of air travel and support the recovery of our nation's travel and tourism industry. The letter highlights the dramatic job losses across the travel and tourism industry, including jobs related to air travel … Continue Reading
November 16, 2020
Cortez Masto Statement Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement marking November as Native American Heritage Month: "November marks National Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the cultural diversity and history of Native people and the ways they have influenced America. Nevada is home to 27 tribes that have unique traditions spanning generations and whose contributions have enriched the Silver State. … Continue Reading
November 13, 2020
Cortez Masto, Feinstein, Van Hollen, Cardin Lead Letter to McConnell in Support of TPS Holders
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) led 25 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in support of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders. The letter requests that an 18 month extension of status for TPS holders be included in the December appropriations package. Like millions across the country, TPS holders are facing unprecedented … Continue Reading
November 13, 2020
Cortez Masto, Feinstein, Van Hollen, Cardin Lead Letter to McConnell in Support of TPS Holders
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) led 25 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in support of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders. The letter requests that an 18 month extension of status for TPS holders be included in the December appropriations package. Like millions across the country, TPS holders are facing unprecedented … Continue Reading
November 13, 2020
Cortez Masto Applauds $1.6 Million in Emergency Funds to Respond to Coronavirus Pandemic
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $1,684,038 in grants funding to the Nevada Division of Emergency Management for measures to respond to COVID-19. The funds will reimburse the state for its purchases of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical equipment, and medical supplies for essential workers statewide. "I'm … Continue Reading
November 11, 2020
Cortez Masto Statement on Veterans Day
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement commemorating Veterans Day. Senator Cortez Masto's remarks are also available in VIDEO FORMAT. "Today, on Veterans Day, we honor the service and sacrifice of our nation's veterans-those brave men and women who put their lives on the line to defend our freedom. I am proud to come from a long line of veterans. My father and grandfathers all answered the call of duty, and they instilled in my … Continue Reading
November 10, 2020
Cortez Masto Celebrates Passage of Her Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement celebrating her bipartisan Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act being passed into law. The legislation, co-introduced by Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.), will create an intergovernmental task force to identify opportunities to expand access and usage of public lands to veterans for outdoor wellness and rehabilitation treatments. "The passage of this bill is great news for Nevada's veteran … Continue Reading
November 10, 2020
Cortez Masto Applauds Grant to Improve Water Conservation Resources
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) celebrated the awarding of $600,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to support efforts to better conserve water resources and implement drought resilience measures in Lyon County. "Fresh water is one of the most important and scarce resources on the planet. I'm so grateful to see the Walker River Irrigation District receive funding through the WaterSMART Initiative … Continue Reading
November 09, 2020
Cortez Masto, Rosen Reiterate Demand for No Yucca Mountain Funding in Letter to Colleagues
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) sent a letter to Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water (E&W) Development to reiterate their annual request that zero funds be appropriated to support licensing activities at the proposed Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository site in any Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 funding measures. "The … Continue Reading
November 05, 2020
Cortez Masto Applauds Grants for Maternal and Child Health in Nevada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $422,635 in grants to the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services for maternal and child services in the Silver State. "Especially during the coronavirus pandemic, pregnant women, mothers, and children need all the support they can get in Nevada. I'm happy to see these funds go to support health for mothers and children, and I'll keep … Continue Reading
November 04, 2020
Cortez Masto Applauds Over $3 Million in Grants for Broadband and Infrastructure Improvements
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded two grants worth a total of $3,075,000 to Nevada. One grant worth $2.7 million will connect Elko County residents with high speed broadband and the second grant of $775,000 will help the Ely Shoshone Tribe build a road, sidewalk, curb, and gutter to improve access between housing and tribal facilities. "Having access to reliable internet and safe ways to reach … Continue Reading
October 30, 2020
Cortez Masto Raises Alarm Over Administration’s Inability to Fully Implement Provisions Under President Trump’s Executive Order to Expand Critical Mental Health Resources to Veterans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) in urging Secretary Wilkie of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve veterans' access to mental health care by following through on authorities under President Donald Trump's Executive Order (EO) 13822 to increase veterans' access to mental health care. "More than 6,000 veterans die by suicide annually, and each loss of life is immeasurable," wrote the senators. "Congress … Continue Reading
October 30, 2020
Cortez Masto Celebrates 156th Nevada Day
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement commemorating the observed 156th anniversary of the State of Nevada's admission to the Union: "Today marks the 156th anniversary of Nevada's admission to the Union, and while this year's celebrations looks a little different, we can still celebrate our beautiful state and its rich history with our neighbors, family, and friends. Hardworking Nevadans have stepped up this year to keep our … Continue Reading
October 29, 2020
Cortez Masto, Rosen Applaud $4.5 Million for Rural Water Infrastructure in Nevada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) today announced that the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $4,577,528 to rural communities in Nevada to fund water and waste infrastructure improvements. "We're glad to see these funds go to rural communities to modernize water systems, improve health outcomes, increase resilience, and promote economic development," said the Senators. "Updating these systems will help thousands in … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
Cortez Masto Urges DeVos to Help 8.2 Million Federal Student Loan Borrowers Access Relief
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and 32 of her Senate colleagues in a letter to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos calling for swift action to support federal student loan borrowers who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by using the available relief under the CARES Act and administrative extension. In the letter, the senators call on Secretary DeVos to immediately reach out to borrowers … Continue Reading
October 27, 2020
Cortez Masto Demands Explanation of Justice Department’s Sudden Change to Election Non-Interference Policy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in a letter to Corey R. Amundson, Chief of the Department of Justice's Public Integrity Section, requesting an immediate explanation of the Department's recent decision to weaken its longstanding policy of non-interference with elections, which ensures that election fraud investigations do not affect an upcoming election. "It is deeply troubling that the Department has chosen to weaken … Continue Reading
