Press Releases
Cortez Masto Secures Administration Promise Not to Pursue Yucca Mountain
Washington, D.C. - In today's Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing about the administration's FY 2021 budget, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette about President Trump's promise not to move forward with the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. She also pressed him to reaffirm the Department of Energy's (DOE) commitment to honor an agreement she secured with the Department to remove a half metric ton of weapons-grade … Continue Reading
March 02, 2020
Cortez Masto Honors Women’s History Month
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in celebration of women's accomplishments during Women's History Month, which began on Sunday, March 1st: "In 2019, Nevada's women made history, forming the first majority female legislature in the nation. I'm so proud of the Silver State for our openness to women's leadership and accomplishments. And we saw progress by women all over the country, with more women on corporate boards than ever. … Continue Reading
March 02, 2020
Cortez Masto: President Trump’s Proposal to Cut Medicaid Threatens Nevada Families
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement condemning President Trump's budget proposal for the detrimental cuts it makes to Medicaid programs that provide quality health care to more than 600,000 Nevadans and millions of Americans. Recently, Senator Cortez Masto and all the Democratic members of the Senate Finance Committee also sent a letter calling on the Trump administration to end its harmful attacks on the Medicaid program. "A few … Continue Reading
February 28, 2020
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Protect Vulnerable Children from Being Trafficked
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Lisa Murkoski (R-Alaska), Tina Smith (D.-Minn.), and thirteen other colleagues in cosponsoring the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention Training Act of 2020, which would prevent the human trafficking and exploitation of children by providing grants for training students, parents, teachers, and school personnel to recognize, prevent, and respond to signs of human trafficking. "Too many children in Nevada … Continue Reading
February 28, 2020
Cortez Masto, Rosen Announce over $14 Million in HUD Grants for Affordable Housing in Native American Communities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) released the following statement announcing $14,882,662 in grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to Native American communities across Nevada for the development and operation of affordable housing. "When families have safe, affordable housing, our communities thrive," said the Senators. "These grants will provide Native American communities across Nevada with vital … Continue Reading
February 27, 2020
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Reverse & Restore Military Funding Diverted for President Trump’s Ineffective Border Wall
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and 30 other Senators to introduce the Restoring Military Priorities Act of 2020. The bill would reverse and restore the Department of Defense's (DoD) recent short-sighted and dangerous transfer of $3.8 billion to be used to build part of President Donald Trump's ineffective border wall. The bill also reduces DoD's transfer authority so that DoD cannot try to divert additional funding for the … Continue Reading
February 27, 2020
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bills to Honor U.S. Merchant Mariners and Army Rangers For Their Contributions During WWII
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined an overwhelming bipartisan majority of her Senate colleagues in supporting bills to award Congressional Gold Medals - the highest civilian award in the United States - to veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marine and the U.S. Army Rangers who served during World War II. "Awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. Merchant Mariners and also to the U.S. Army Rangers who served during WWII is long past due. From the unsung … Continue Reading
February 27, 2020
Cortez Masto, Rosen Announce $450,000 to Help Public Housing Residents Attain Economic Self Reliance
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) today announced $449,849 in grants awarded to Nevada by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help public housing residents set and complete training and employment goals. "Nevadans who rely on housing assistance to keep a roof over their heads often face other hurdles to reach economic stability. These grants allow Nevada to take a holistic approach to affordable housing by … Continue Reading
February 26, 2020
Cortez Masto Joins Colleagues in Demanding Support for Veterans Suffering from Agent Orange
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and 40 Democratic Senators in condemning the Trump Administration for stonewalling critical benefits to veterans suffering from health conditions associated with their exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. In their letter, the senators specifically called on the Administration to stop denying scientific evidence, and end the years-long … Continue Reading
February 25, 2020
Cortez Masto Delivers Floor Remarks Opposing GOP Anti-Choice Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today spoke on the Senate floor against proposed legislation by Senator Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) and Senator Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) that attack women's constitutional reproductive rights. Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery. You may download video of the speech HERE. I rise today to oppose my colleagues' legislation to limit women's health care choices. These bills are part of a wave of efforts to turn back the clock on … Continue Reading
February 25, 2020
Cortez Masto, Rosen Applaud $20 Million in EPA Funding for Clean Water
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) applauded the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for awarding $20.6 million in State Revolving Funds (SRFs) to Nevada to support infrastructure projects that protect surface water and provide safe drinking water. "We're glad to see these funds made available for improvements to water systems all over the Silver State. Everyone in Nevada deserves clean drinking water and reliable water infrastructure, … Continue Reading
February 24, 2020
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Provide Service Dogs to Veterans Suffering from PTSD
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored legislation introduced by Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) to help service members suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The bill, known as the Puppies Assisting Wounded Service Members (PAWS) Act, would help improve the quality of life for veterans suffering from PTSD through grants to non-profit organizations that provide veterans with access to service dogs. "For many veterans … Continue Reading
February 21, 2020
Cortez Masto, Rosen Applaud $2 Million in FAA Funding for Nevada Airports
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) applauded the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for awarding $2,137,500 in grants for renovations and updates to the master plans of several Nevada airports. "Our airport infrastructure is key to the Silver State's economy, and to the health of our rural communities." said the Senators. "We are committed to maintaining and improving our state's transportation infrastructure. These grants to Nevada … Continue Reading
February 20, 2020
Cortez Masto Promotes STEM Education and Diversity at Microsoft Employee Townhall
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today participated in a townhall with Microsoft employees focused on her Innovation State Initiative to promote the growth of a diverse tech workforce, support STEM education and fuel Nevada's 21st century economy. The senator also highlighted her legislation to promote education and training for workers in in-demand industries. "Nevada is the Innovation State not only because we're creating and implementing some of the nation's newest … Continue Reading
February 20, 2020
Cortez Masto Joins Colleagues in Fighting to Protect People with Pre-Existing Conditions in FY21 Budget
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and 43 Senate colleagues in a letter to the Administration urging President Trump to direct the Department of Justice (DOJ) to protect the law of the land, which provides health care coverage protections for people with pre-existing conditions. The Administration's Fiscal Year 2021 proposed budget continues to fund DOJ's efforts to repeal the … Continue Reading
February 20, 2020
Cortez Masto Tours Sierra Nevada Job Corps
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today toured the Sierra Nevada Job Corps facility and discussed her legislative efforts to expand apprenticeship programs and ensure every Nevadan has the necessary tools to find and keep good paying jobs. "Investing in students across Nevada is critical to developing a robust 21st century workforce. Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center (SNJCC) is doing just that by working to make sure every Nevadan can pursue vocational training, no … Continue Reading
February 19, 2020
Cortez Masto, Crapo, Risch Lead Bipartisan Call to Support Medicare Advantage
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), along with 61 of their colleagues, sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma expressing support for the Medicare Advantage program. Nationwide, 3,148 Medicare Advantage plans will be available for individual enrollment for the 2020 plan year. "Health care is one of Nevadans' top concerns, which is why I want to make sure that seniors … Continue Reading
February 19, 2020
Cortez Masto Hosts Roundtable With Nevada Home Health Care Workers
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) hosted a roundtable yesterday with home health care workers represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to discuss ways she can support health care and public service employees through her advocacy for collective bargaining rights, workplace protections and good paying jobs for all Nevadans. "Home health care workers are the unsung heroes of the health care industry. They work hard every day providing … Continue Reading
February 18, 2020
Cortez Masto, Horsford Attend Tax Fair with UnidosUS to Provide Tax Preparation Resources to Latino Families in Nevada
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today joined UnidosUS, Congressman Steven Horsford and United Way of Southern Nevada at the "Adelante 2020" Economic Forum and Tax Fair. During the event, the senator participated in a panel discussion on how to maximize economic opportunities for Latinos and spoke about her work in the Senate to ensure fair federal tax policies that support Nevada's middle class and Latino families. The forum also included free tax assistance for … Continue Reading
February 18, 2020
Cortez Masto Visits Cimarron Memorial Robotics Program, Touts WORKER Act
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today toured Cimarron Memorial High School and met with students in its award-winning robotics program. She discussed her cosponsorship of the WORKER Act, which would promote STEM education in public schools, maker programs to teach hands-on skills, registered apprentice programs, and training for workers in in-demand industries. Representatives from the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Nevada Department of Employment, … Continue Reading