Press Releases
Cortez Masto Calls for Critical Funding & Federal Coordination to Combat Wild & Rangeland Fires at Hearing
Washington, D.C. - At today's hearing of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned Mrs. Shawna Legarza, Director of Fire and Aviation Management at U.S. Forest Service, and Mr. Jeff Rupert, Director of the Office of Wildland Fire at the U.S. Department of the Interior, on funding for fighting and preventing rangeland fires. The Senator highlighted the need for rangeland fires, which account for 75% of all the acres burned in the … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Cortez Masto, Senators to CFPB: Data Critical To Ensuring Housing Access For All Americans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and 17 other senators in demanding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rescind its proposal to further reduce reporting under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). "We are extremely concerned that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has once again put the interests of the financial industry above those of the consumers it is charged to protect. We urge you to immediately … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Strengthen Tribal and Federal Coordination and Reduce Violence in Native Communities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today cosponsored legislation expanding coordination between tribal and federal law enforcement to support federal, state and local efforts to respond to violence in Native communities. Introduced by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Ranking Member Tom Udall (D-N.M.), the BADGES for Native Communities Act improves data collection and information sharing, promotes tribal outreach and empowers tribal law enforcement with … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Cortez Masto Introduces Bill to Protect Call Center Workers and U.S. Consumers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-Penn.) today introduced legislation that discourages businesses from relocating or contracting out call centers overseas. The United States Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act incentivizes domestic business investments, tracks the overseas relocation of call centers and increases transparency for U.S. consumers interacting with call centers. "Workers deserve the peace of mind that comes … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Resolution Recognizing June As LGBTQ Pride Month
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined 46 Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution to recognize June 2019 as "LGBTQ Pride Month." Introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), the resolution celebrates the significant contributions of LGBTQ individuals to American life, while also promising to continue fighting for an end to discrimination and injustice. "Nevada is home to one of the most vibrant LGBTQ communities in America. During Pride Month, we … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Cortez Masto, Scott, Smith, Cramer, Young Introduce HUD Manufactured Housing Modernization Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.) introduced legislation promoting manufactured housing as part of the solution to America's affordable housing crisis. The HUD Manufactured Housing Modernization Act of 2019 would ensure that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) supports state and local governments that wish to include manufactured housing as an affordable … Continue Reading
June 10, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill Providing Tax Relief to College Scholarship Recipients
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today cosponsored legislation to ensure students receiving scholarships and grants to finance their higher education are not overly taxed. Introduced by Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), the Tax Relief for Student Success Act would require college students' scholarship aid to be taxed as individual income rather than as a trust or estate. "Middle- and low-income students face overwhelming obstacles in … Continue Reading
June 07, 2019
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Call on Trump Administration to Protect Consumers from Abusive Debt Collection Tactics
Washington, D.C. - Following passage of legislation cracking down on annoying and unwanted robocalls, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and a group of colleagues in calling on Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Kathy Kraninger to reverse a proposed rule that would, for the first time, allow debt collection companies to send unlimited texts and emails to consumers. Just last year, often-abusive and … Continue Reading
June 07, 2019
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Demand State Department Reverse Anti-LGBTQ Immigration Policy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined a letter led by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanding an immediate end to his policy that denies citizenship to children born abroad to same-sex couples when one parent is a U.S. citizen. In the past, a federal court has struck down the Department's anti-LGBTQ interpretation of the policy that places undue burdens on same-sex married couples. "Your … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Cortez Masto Remarks on the No Junk Plans Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor urging her colleagues to support the No Junk Plans Act. This bill would rescind President Trump's Executive Order allowing insurance companies to offer consumers up to three years of coverage via "junk plans" - short-term, limited-duration plans that don't have to cover essential health benefits like prescription drugs, emergency room visits and maternity care. Below are her remarks as … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Remove Financial Barriers to Reproductive Health Care
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today cosponsored legislation to ensure equal access to safe and legal abortions by eliminating bans on federal funding. The Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH) Woman Act protects every woman's constitutionally-guaranteed right to comprehensive reproductive health care and helps ensure access to care to each woman, regardless of income, race or where in the country they may live. "Reproductive justice … Continue Reading
June 03, 2019
Cortez Masto Recognizes Immigrant Heritage Month
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement marking Immigrant Heritage Month: "It brings me great pride to represent a state as diverse as Nevada, where different languages, customs and traditions enrich our communities. Immigrant Heritage Month marks a time to celebrate the ideals of opportunity and equality enshrined in America's founding documents - ideals that have made our country a beacon of hope for people all over the world, … Continue Reading
June 03, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill To Protect LGBTQ Americans From Housing Discrimination
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2019, bipartisan legislation that would add gender identity and sexual orientation to the classes protected from discrimination under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) to ensure equal housing opportunities for all Americans. The FHA prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or disability but not sexual orientation or gender … Continue Reading
June 03, 2019
Cortez Masto, Rosen Call on USCIS to Address Green Card, Citizenship Processing Delays
Washington, D.C. - Last month, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) sent a letter urging U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to address the processing delays experienced in Nevada field offices and take action to reduce the state's immigration backlog. In the Silver State, one in five residents is an immigrant and these delays affect the social and economic welfare of all Nevadans. "Current wait times have reached an unacceptable length", the … Continue Reading
May 31, 2019
Cortez Masto Celebrates LGBTQ Pride Month
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement to commemorate LGBTQ Pride Month: "Fifty years ago, brave LGBTQ activists and allies started a movement by marching through the streets of New York City to demand an end to discrimination. Nevada, and the country, have made remarkable strides since the Stonewall riots of 1969, but homophobia and transphobia still exist in far too many workplaces, schools and communities throughout our country. … Continue Reading
May 31, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Resolution Recognizing Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Mazie K. Hirono and a group of 21 Senators to introduce a resolution recognizing the importance of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and the contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. "I'm proud to recognize the vital role that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have played across the nation and particularly in Nevada. The Silver State is home to one of the most vibrant and … Continue Reading
May 31, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Landmark Legislation to Protect Workers’ Right to Organize
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, comprehensive legislation to strengthen protections for workers' right to organize a union and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. As wage inequality continues to leave workers and middle-class families behind, this legislation would empower millions of Americans to stand together and ensure hardworking people are getting their fair … Continue Reading
May 30, 2019
Cortez Masto Hosts Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Roundtable in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) hosted a roundtable with leaders in Las Vegas' Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community today. During her roundtable, she discussed a range of issues impacting the AAPI community in Las Vegas from immigration and affordable housing, to health care, education and the community's growing contributions to the City of Las Vegas and the State of Nevada. "Nevadans know that our state is stronger because of its diversity. At the … Continue Reading
May 30, 2019
Cortez Masto Discusses Affordable Housing on Tour of Flamingo Pines
Las Vegas, Nev. - As part of the National Low Income Housing Coalition's National Housing Week of Action, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today met with advocates from Nevada HAND and toured the newly-constructed Flamingo Pines Senior Apartments. The senator discussed the importance of federal investments in addressing Nevada's affordable housing crisis. "Affordable housing is essential to the economic well-being of Nevada's seniors. Yet the Silver State faces a shortage of over … Continue Reading
May 30, 2019
Cortez Masto Hosts Veterans Roundtable
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) hosted a roundtable discussion with local veterans. The discussion focused on the challenges Nevada's veterans face when accessing health care and other services after discharge. As part of the roundtable, Senator Cortez Masto spoke about her recent legislative efforts to improve access to mental health services and alternative treatment options for veterans recovering from trauma or injuries. "Nevada's veterans have served their … Continue Reading
