Press Releases
Cortez Masto Co-Leads Bill to Patch Gaps in Internet Access and Literacy in Nevada Through Investment and Transparency
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in cosponsoring legislation to address the significant broadband gaps in the U.S. by providing a robust investment in infrastructure, training and oversight. The Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act would invest $100 billion in broadband across the nation. "As the coronavirus pandemic has made more apparent than ever, in the 21st century, every family in the country needs … Continue Reading
June 30, 2020
Cortez Masto Urges IRS to Implement Tools to Help Domestic Violence Survivors Access Coronavirus Relief Payments
Washington, D.C. - During this week's Senate Finance Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned Charles Rettig, Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), about the steps the IRS is taking to ensure domestic violence survivors are receiving their Economic Impact Payments (EIPs). On June 19, the Senator led a letter with 35 Senate colleagues to Commissioner Rettig and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin urging them to take action to help survivors of … Continue Reading
June 30, 2020
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Strengthen Medicaid for States Hit Hard During Economic Downturn
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today joined Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) in introducing legislation that would automatically bolster the health care safety net during times of fiscal crisis, thereby protecting health care coverage for the most vulnerable Americans. The Coronavirus Medicaid Response Act would create automatic triggers that increase the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP), or the share of Medicaid costs borne by the federal government, … Continue Reading
June 30, 2020
Cortez Masto Applauds Over $27 Million in PILT Payments to Nevada Counties
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today announced that the Department of the Interior (DOI) had awarded $27,868,890 under the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program to rural counties in Nevada for Fiscal Year 2020. "Nevada's rural counties rely on the Department of the Interior's PILT program to help their local governments fund public safety, housing, transportation, and public lands maintenance projects. As our communities face unprecedented challenges in the … Continue Reading
June 30, 2020
Cortez Masto, Rosen, Horsford and Lee Applaud $264,000 Grant for Minority Business Development Center at College of Southern Nevada
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Representatives Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04) and Susie Lee (D-Nev.-03) applauded the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency's grant award of $264,000 to the College of Southern Nevada to fund the expansion and continuation of the successful Nevada Grow program. This program, funded originally as a pilot by the State of Nevada and the Nevada System of Higher Education, … Continue Reading
June 29, 2020
Cortez Masto Delivers Floor Speech on the Urgency of Passing Additional COVID-19 Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) spoke on the Senate floor tonight about Nevada's urgent need for more legislation to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Senator Cortez Masto called on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to begin bipartisan negotiations on new legislation to address the twin public health and economic crises faced by communities across the country. Senator Cortez Masto's remarks are available in VIDEO FORMAT. Below are her remarks as … Continue Reading
June 29, 2020
Cortez Masto Hosts Call with Nevada Chambers of Commerce to Discuss Ways to Continue Supporting Nevada Businesses During COVID-19
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) hosted a phone conversation with the executive directors of Nevada's Chambers of Commerce to discuss Nevada businesses' ongoing needs in response to the coronavirus pandemic. During the call, the Senator discussed her work in the Senate to advocate for the passage of additional COVID-19 relief legislation that includes funding for small businesses and local governments to help support local economies in their efforts to safely … Continue Reading
June 29, 2020
Cortez Masto Calls for HIV/AIDS Treatment and Prevention Funding in Next COVID-19 Response Package
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) in calling on Senate leadership to include federal funding for HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and housing programs in the next COVID-19 pandemic response package to continue providing life-saving services to people living with and at risk of HIV and AIDS. "This additional support for HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and housing programs is critical for ensuring that we can respond to two … Continue Reading
June 29, 2020
Cortez Masto, Klobuchar, Colleagues Call for Additional Funding for Tourism, Economic Development Projects
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), co-chairs of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus, led 14 of their Senate colleagues in a letter to Congressional leadership calling for additional funding for the Economic Development Administration (EDA)'s programs in future coronavirus economic recovery legislation. The EDA's programs help drive locally organized economic development projects, develop new industries, build vital infrastructure, and … Continue Reading
June 26, 2020
Cortez Masto Celebrates the Supreme Court’s DACA Decision with Nevada Immigrant Groups
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined a Facebook Live video conference with members of the Nevada Immigrant Coalition's UndocuCouncil to discuss the Supreme Court's recent ruling that blocks President Trump's attempt to end protections for Dreamers. The Senator spoke about the importance of the Supreme Court's DACA decision and discussed how she's fighting in the Senate to provide permanent relief for Dreamers. "President Trump has been attacking Dreamers … Continue Reading
June 26, 2020
Cortez Masto Pushes for Study to Investigate Cancers Among Military Aviators
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Military Aviators Cancer Incident Study Act, which would require the Department of Defense (DoD) to determine whether the military aviators community has a higher incidence of cancers compared to the general population, and if so, to determine potential carcinogens and other variables that may be associated with higher rates of cancer. The bill would direct resources to look across active duty and veteran aviators … Continue Reading
June 25, 2020
Cortez Masto, Rosen, Senators Demand Amtrak Protect Rural Jobs and Long Distance Service Amid Pandemic
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) joined U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) in a letter to Amtrak's President and CEO William Flynn expressing dismay at the recent announcement that the company might cut jobs and reduce service in rural areas amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In their letter, the senators demanded that the railroad commit to a timeline for resuming full, long distance passenger … Continue Reading
June 24, 2020
Cortez Masto, Senators Call For Proactive Efforts To Counter Voter Suppression Amid Covid-19 Safety Measures
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) and the Democrats on the Senate Rules Committee in calling for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the National Association of State Election Directors, and the National Association of Secretaries of State to work proactively to counter any attempts to suppress vulnerable and historically-disenfranchised voters during the COVID-19 crisis. "While precincts nationwide can and should … Continue Reading
June 24, 2020
Cortez Masto Statement on Senate Republican Police Reform Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) issued the following statement after she voted 'no' on proceeding to debate on the Senate Republican police reform legislation. "The tragic murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and so many other Black Americans are unconscionable and must be met with meaningful police reform. Right now, our country faces a critical moment for action on an issue that deserves the time and sensitive reflection of every member of … Continue Reading
June 23, 2020
Cortez Masto Emphasizes Importance of the Export-Import Bank’s Work to Finance Minority-Owned and Small Businesses Across Nevada
Washington, D.C. - During this week's Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee Hearing, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned the Honorable Kimberly A. Reed, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Export-Import Bank of the United States about the Bank's efforts to ensure minority-owned, veteran-owned and small businesses have access to the bank's resources. The Export-Import Bank has financed millions of dollars in Nevada exports and supports … Continue Reading
June 23, 2020
Cortez Masto, Rosen Call for $175 Billion Education Investment for the Upcoming School Year
Washington, D.C. - As health and education officials develop novel coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines, precautions, and restrictions for reopening schools this fall, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) are urging Congress and the Trump Administration to act with the same sense of urgency and provide additional federal funding to help students safely return to the classroom and allow schools to continue distance learning as needed. In addition to Senators … Continue Reading
June 23, 2020
Cortez Masto, Casey Introduce Legislation to Push for Women’s Rights in International Trade
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) proposed legislation to strengthen and update Generalized System Preferences (GSP) standards on worker rights and ensure countries receiving GSP afford equal rights and protection under the law, regardless of gender. Around the world, women face disproportionate challenges in the workplace and barriers to entering the workforce. The Women's Economic Empowerment in Trade Act would ensure countries … Continue Reading
June 23, 2020
Cortez Masto, Rosen Call on Senate to Give Dreamers a Path to Citizenship
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) joined the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) calling on him to immediately take up the bipartisan House-passed American Dream and Promise Act, which will establish a path to citizenship for Dreamers and immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 200,000 … Continue Reading
June 22, 2020
Cortez Masto Leads Push to Ensure Survivors of Domestic Violence Can Access Their Economic Impact Payment
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) led a letter joined by 35 Senate colleagues to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig urging them to take action to ensure that survivors of domestic violence can access their Economic Impact Payment. Domestic violence survivors face unique barriers that can keep them from being able to access their economy recovery rebates they are legally entitled to under the law. "The recovery rebate authorized … Continue Reading
June 22, 2020
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Reverse Policies Targeting Asylum Seekers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined a letter led by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.) condemning the Trump Administration for its harmful policies that have dismantled the United States' asylum system and demanded the reversal of these harmful measures. The lawmakers listed nearly a dozen various Trump administration policies implemented over the past three years which have chipped away at the … Continue Reading