Press Releases
Cortez Masto Introduces Legislation to Prohibit Oil and Gas Speculation on Low Potential Lands
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the End Speculative Oil and Gas Leasing Act of 2020 to prohibit oil and gas leasing on public lands that are determined by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to have low or no potential for development. The bill would thereby reprioritize BLM's administration of these lands for other purposes, like wildlife habitat preservation, outdoor recreation and grazing. "BLM spends an enormous amount of time and resources … Continue Reading
January 16, 2020
Cortez Masto Praises Passage of USMCA
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today issued the following statement after voting in support of a new North American Free Trade Agreement, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). "This important deal has been three years in the making. I'm glad that Congress has been able to reach bipartisan agreement on this critical legislation to protect Nevada's workers and give our businesses much-needed stability. Nevada exported $1.7 billion to Canada and … Continue Reading
January 16, 2020
Cortez Masto Calls on FAA to Speed Safe Integration of Drones into US Airspace
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) sent a letter calling on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to rapidly implement provisions to ensure that drones are more safely integrated into the nation's airspace. The Senator urged the FAA to take action to finalize the portions of her Safe Drone Act and Drone Safety Enhancement Act that were included in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. The Senator's letter comes as authorities in Nebraska and Colorado continue … Continue Reading
January 15, 2020
Cortez Masto Releases Discussion Draft of Clark County Lands Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released a discussion draft of the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act. Senator Cortez Masto has worked closely with stakeholders on a proposal for Clark County that protects Nevada's sensitive habitats and endangered species, expands tribal trust lands, creates much-needed affordable housing, and provides opportunities for economic growth. Senator Cortez Masto will continue to hear from Nevadans as she … Continue Reading
January 14, 2020
Cortez Masto Joins Senators to Support Puerto Rico’s Request for a Major Disaster Declaration to Respond to Earthquakes
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and 32 Senate Democrats in a letter expressing support for Puerto Rico's request for a major disaster declaration for the severe damage caused by a devastating 6.4-magnitude last week and the hundreds of preceding and subsequent aftershocks which struck the island starting late on December 28. "We write in strong support of Puerto Rico's request for a major disaster … Continue Reading
January 14, 2020
Cortez Masto, Cramer Introduce Bill to Protect High School Students on Commutes to School
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Senator Kevin Cramer (R.-N.D.) today introduced bipartisan legislation to make pedestrian and bicycle safety projects targeting high school students who walk or bike to school eligible for federal support from the Department of Transportation (DOT). "Our students get huge health benefits from walking or biking to school-but we need to keep them safe," said Senator Cortez Masto. "Too many young Nevadans have been struck by … Continue Reading
January 13, 2020
Cortez Masto, Brown, Colleagues Urge Inspector General to Investigate CFPB Director Kraninger’s Failure to Provide Relief for Defrauded Consumers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) led Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.). Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in calling on the Inspector General of the Federal Reserve to open an investigation … Continue Reading
January 13, 2020
Cortez Masto Sends Letters to Tech and Rideshare Giants Highlighting the Importance of Adopting Electric Vehicles to Combat Climate Change
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) sent a series of letters to executives at Google, Apple, Uber, Lyft and the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) encouraging them to prioritize the adoption of electric (EV) and zero-emissions (ZEV) vehicles into our nation's transportation network in order to combat the threat of climate change. "The transportation sector is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in the United … Continue Reading
January 10, 2020
Cortez Masto Attends a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada’s STEAM Lab
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today joined members of the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada for a ribbon cutting ceremony unveiling their newly-renovated STEAM lab at the Lied Memorial Club. The new facility was made possible by IGT's After School Advantage Program and generous $15,000 donation. "To ensure Nevada remains a leader in technology and innovation, we must invest in our kids and encourage them to explore a STEAM education. From the … Continue Reading
January 10, 2020
Cortez Masto Attends Consumer Electronics Show, Emphasizes Tech’s Role in Education and Transportation
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today attended the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), speaking with attendees about their businesses and highlighting bills she has introduced in the United States Senate to improve smart transportation and access to broadband for rural schools. The legislation is part of her Innovation State Initiative to strengthen Nevada's global leadership in tech by fostering new technology, attracting investments, and creating … Continue Reading
January 10, 2020
Cortez Masto Talks with Elko Students on Video Teleconference About Improving Broadband Access
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today discussed her bipartisan legislation to improve rural broadband access during a video call with high school students in Elko, Nevada. The Senator's Connected Rural Schools Act would add broadband and other internet accessibility technologies to the list of items eligible for federal funding through the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Program. "21st century technology makes it possible for me to video teleconference with students … Continue Reading
January 10, 2020
Cortez Masto, Rosen Call for Investigation into Conditions at ICE Detention Center in Pahrump
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) today sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) calling for an investigation into conditions at the Nevada Southern Detention Center, a privately-owned facility that contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The senators' letter comes days after Vice News reported that a captain at the facility, which is owned by CoreCivic, was active … Continue Reading
January 09, 2020
Cortez Masto Introduces Bill to Promote Smart Transportation to Create Jobs and Combat Climate Change
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today introduced legislation to promote smart transportation solutions like state-of-the-art traffic control centers and on-demand public transportation for hospital and university campuses. The Smart Transportation Advancement and Transition (STAT) Act reforms and reauthorizes the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Intelligent Transportation Advisory Committee and requires the creation of a federal smart transportation … Continue Reading
January 08, 2020
Cortez Masto Statement on Senate Iran Briefing
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) issued the following statement after national security officials from the Trump Administration briefed senators on the unfolding situation with Iran. "Administration officials abruptly ended today's classified briefing to Congress about Iran, leaving many questions unanswered - including critical questions about President Trump's long-term strategy and objectives for Iran, how he plans to deter Iran from future attacks, and what … Continue Reading
January 08, 2020
Cortez Masto: STEM Progress for Women and Minorities Languishing in McConnell’s Legislative Graveyard
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to allow the Senate to move forward on important legislation to increase access to STEM careers for women and other underrepresented groups. "Mitch McConnell says he wants the Senate to get back to work for the American people, but he has continued to block this chamber from acting on multiple pieces of legislation to improve life for all Americans, including a … Continue Reading
January 07, 2020
Cortez Masto, Democratic Members of Nevada Delegation Call for More HUD Staff in Southern Nevada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), along with U.S. Representatives Dina Titus (D-Nev.-01), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04) and Susie Lee (D-Nev.-03), sent a letter from the Democratic members of Nevada's Congressional delegation expressing concerns about the closure of the Reno field office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and calling for increased staffing of the Las Vegas office in response. HUD began scaling … Continue Reading
January 07, 2020
Cortez Masto Votes to Advance Trade Deal to the Full Senate
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today voted in the Senate Finance Committee to advance the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to the full Senate for a vote. The 25-3 vote in favor of the agreement was bipartisan. The Senator praised the trade deal for its ability to both protect workers and provide economic stability to businesses. At the Finance Committee hearing, Senator Cortez Masto spoke about the importance of this legislation to Nevada's … Continue Reading
January 07, 2020
Cortez Masto, Romney, Boozman, Manchin Introduce Legislation to Improve Broadband Access for Rural Students
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced the Connected Rural Schools Act to help close the digital disconnect for rural students. The legislation will ensure that broadband and other internet accessibility technologies are eligible for funding from the existing Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Program. "Nevada's rural communities are full of bright and eager students who need reliable internet … Continue Reading
January 06, 2020
Cortez Masto Highlights Senator McConnell’s Obstruction of Rural Broadband Bill in the Senate
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today spoke out about how Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has blocked progress on legislation to expand rural broadband services and connectivity, which passed the House of Representatives in May. "Leader McConnell said last week that he wants to get back to work for the American people. Bringing the House-passed ACCESS BROADBAND Act to the floor for a vote would be one way to prove he is serious. In the 21st … Continue Reading
January 03, 2020
Nevada Governor, Congressional Delegation Propose Nevada Air National Guard Base as Location for New Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and U.S. Representatives Mark Amodei (R-Nev.-02), Dina Titus (D-Nev.-01), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04), and Susie Lee (D-Nev.-03) joined Governor Steve Sisolak in a letter asking Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett to select the Nevada Air National Guard Base in Reno as the location for its new Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES). The governor and the members of Congress cite the 152nd Airlift … Continue Reading
