Press Releases
Cortez Masto Invites Federal Worker Impacted by Trump Shutdown as Guest to State of the Union
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement announcing Dr. Michael Moradshahi, a second generation American and licensed psychologist who has served in the Department of Veteran Affairs and currently works in the Indian Health System (IHS) in Reno, as her guest to the State of the Union. Dr. Moradshahi was forced to work without pay during the Trump shutdown. "It's my honor to bring Dr. Michael Moradshahi as my guest to the State of the … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
Cortez Masto Commemorates Black History Month
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement commemorating Black History Month, which spans the month of February. "African-American history and heritage are woven into the fabric of the Silver State. From the first black settlers of Virginia City to modern-day heroes like labor activist Hattie Canty and former state Senator Joe Neal, African-Americans have left an indelible mark on Nevada's politics, economy and culture. As we celebrate … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
Cortez Masto, Rosen Demand Answers on Shipment of Plutonium to Nevada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) sent a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Rick Perry demanding information about the agency's decision to secretly transport one-half metric ton of weapons-grade plutonium to Nevada's National Security Site (NNSS) and expressing outrage over the Department's lack of good-faith negotiations with the State of Nevada. "We write to you today to express our continued outrage at your Department's … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
Cortez Masto Congratulates UNLV on $1.4 Million Grant to Finance Transportation Research and Education
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) welcomed a $1.4 million grant from the Department of Transportation to finance transportation research and training at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). UNLV is one of 32 University Transportation Centers (UTC's) across the country that received funding to promote new solutions that address national, regional and local transportation issues. "I'm delighted the Department of Transportation has awarded UNLV with a 1.4 … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
Cortez Masto Introduces Ruby Mountains Protection Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the Ruby Mountains Protection Act, a bill to prohibit oil and gas leasing on the Ruby Mountains. "Expansive oil and gas drilling on the Ruby Mountains is not only a threat to one of the Silver State's natural treasures, it also risks the livelihoods of Nevadans who rely on our state's outdoor economy. I'm proud to stand alongside a coalition of local business leaders, conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts who are … Continue Reading
January 31, 2019
Cortez Masto Demands Answers from U.S. Energy Department on Shipment of Plutonium to Nevada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after meeting with officials from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) about the U.S. Department of Energy's decision to ship a half metric ton of plutonium for storage in the State of Nevada without the consent of the Governor, Nevada's congressional delegation and local communities. Senator Cortez Masto questioned the officials about any future plans to ship additional nuclear … Continue Reading
January 31, 2019
Cortez Masto Welcomes Over $14 Million to Stem Homelessness in Nevada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) celebrated the awarding of over $14 million in Continuum of Care (CoC) grants by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to Nevada for local homeless housing and service programs. "The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded over $14 million to critical support agencies and programs in Nevada helping individuals and families struggling with homelessness. Thousands of Nevadans … Continue Reading
January 31, 2019
Cortez Masto, Rosen Send Letter to DOE Secretary Demanding Answers into Sexual Assault Allegations at NNSA Site
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) sent a letter to Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry, urging the Department to launch an investigation into the alleged sexual assault, harassment, and retaliation that took place before, during, and after November 2017 at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), according to a January 25th article in the New York Times. According to the article, a guard at the site, named Jennifer Glover, … Continue Reading
January 30, 2019
Cortez Masto, Cornyn, Hassan Introduce Legislation to Help Law Enforcement Identify Child Trafficking Victims
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Margaret Wood Hassan (D-N.H.) introduced the Interdiction for the Protection of Child Victims of Exploitation and Human Trafficking Act. This legislation would require the U.S. Attorney General to establish a pilot program to train federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement officers to recognize and rescue at-risk and exploited children. Congressmen Michael McCaul (R-TX-10) and Henry Cuellar … Continue Reading
January 30, 2019
Cortez Masto Statement on Plutonium Shipment Announcement
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in reaction to the announcement that the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration shipped a half metric ton of plutonium for storage in the State of Nevada for an undetermined amount of time without the consent of the Governor and local communities: "It's unconscionable that the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) went … Continue Reading
January 30, 2019
Cortez Masto Co-Sponsors Bill Providing $100 Billion to Update Schools in Nevada, Across U.S.
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) in introducing legislation to fund $100 billion in direct grants and school construction bonds over the next decade to repair and modernize schools. The Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2019 reduces the $38 billion annual gap in funding for necessary school repair, renovation and construction. These school infrastructure projects will spur an estimated 1.9 million new jobs, boosting local … Continue Reading
January 30, 2019
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Urge Credit Reporting Agencies to Protect Credit Scores of Federal Workers and Contractors Hurt by the Shutdown
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and a group of six senators in calling on the three credit reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - to protect federal employees and contractors from any damage the Trump shutdown may have done to their credit. "Workers' credit reports and scores should not be ruined for reasons entirely outside of their control. We hope that your companies will take this opportunity to … Continue Reading
January 30, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Paycheck Fairness Act to Close Gender Wage Gap
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation that would prohibit wage discrimination on the basis of sex. The bill would require employers to demonstrate that pay disparities are not sex-based and prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who discuss or disclose salary information with their co-workers. The bill was introduced by Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.). "Equal pay for equal work means giving women the … Continue Reading
January 30, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Tribal Victim Services
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, released the following statement on the committee approval of the Securing Urgent Resources Vital to Indian Victim Empowerment (SURVIVE) Act. This legislation, cosponsored by Senator Cortez Masto, will improve public safety in tribal communities and secure vital resources for Native American victims of crime. "American Indian and Alaska Native communities face some of the … Continue Reading
January 28, 2019
Cortez Masto Statement on Middle East Security Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after voting in support of the motion to proceed to S.1, the Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019. "Today I voted in support of the Middle East bills package, which provides important security assistance for Israel and other key partners in the Middle East. At a time when Israel faces threats from Hezbollah, Hamas and Iran, it is particularly important that we maintain … Continue Reading
January 28, 2019
Cortez Masto, Senators Urge OPM to Provide Federal Worker Back Pay as Soon as Possible
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Chris Van Hollen in urging the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to provide back pay for federal workers impacted by the Trump shutdown as soon as possible. "More than 800,000 federal workers have gone without pay because the government shutdown locked them out of their jobs or required them to work without pay. These workers need to know now when they will finally receive their missed paychecks…We ask … Continue Reading
January 28, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Combat Rising Prescription Costs for Taxpayers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored The Right Rebate Act, legislation to protect American taxpayers from drug companies overcharging Medicaid for prescription drugs. This legislation, introduced by Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), closes a Medicaid loophole that has permitted pharmaceutical manufacturers to misclassify their drugs, allowing them to grossly overcharge Medicaid for life-saving medicines. The legislation also … Continue Reading
January 28, 2019
Cortez Masto, Murkowski Reintroduce Savanna’s Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) to reintroduce Savanna's Act. This legislation combats the epidemic of murdered and missing Native women and girls by improving the federal government's response to addressing the crisis. The bill increases coordination among all levels of law enforcement, improves data collection and information sharing, and empowers tribal governments with the resources they need in cases involving … Continue Reading
January 25, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Prohibit Trump Administration from Including Citizenship Question in 2020 Census
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Every Person Counts Act of 2019, led by Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), to combat the Trump Administration's efforts to include a question on citizenship in the 2020 U.S. Census. This legislation would explicitly prohibit the Census Bureau from asking questions about citizenship or immigration status. "The Trump Administration's effort to add a political question on citizenship to the 2020 Census is nothing more than … Continue Reading
January 25, 2019
Cortez Masto Statement on Bipartisan Agreement to End Shutdown
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after President Trump announced that he would support an agreement to end the partial government shutdown. "Congress must act immediately to end this senseless shutdown and ensure federal workers in Nevada and across the country receive their paychecks as quickly as possible. Once the government is reopened, the Senate can hold a debate on the most effective way to secure our borders. I stand … Continue Reading
