Press Releases
Cortez Masto, Rosen Welcome Award to Support Civil Engineering Undergraduates at UNLV
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) celebrated over $2 million from the National Science Foundation awarded to the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) to assist undergraduate civil engineering majors. The program seeks to address retention and graduation rates in UNLV's undergraduate civil engineering program. "In Nevada, we have so many of the brightest young minds. We must provide them with every opportunity to have the support they … Continue Reading
July 25, 2019
Cortez Masto, Van Hollen Introduce FHA Foreclosure Prevention Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced the FHA Foreclosure Prevention Act, legislation to ensure banks, credit unions and mortgage lenders follow the law before foreclosing on Americans' homes. When homeowners fall behind on their mortgage payments, lenders who benefit from taxpayer-backed mortgage insurance through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) are required to communicate with the borrower, connect the borrower to … Continue Reading
July 25, 2019
Cortez Masto Introduces Renewable Energy Extension Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today introduced legislation to promote the use of renewable energy, increase carbon reduction, spur solar innovation, and invest in thousands of jobs. The Renewable Energy Extension Act would extend clean energy tax incentives set to begin expiring at the end of this year and ensure continued deployment, growth, and innovation of these technologies. "Protecting the environment is good for our health and our economy. These tax … Continue Reading
July 25, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Protect Elections from Foreign Interference
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal's (D-Conn.) Duty to Report Act, legislation to help protect our elections from foreign interference by requiring federal campaign officials to notify law enforcement if offered assistance by agents of another government. "If a federal candidate, or any member of their campaign, receives unsolicited information from a foreign power about a rival candidate, they should have a legal duty … Continue Reading
July 23, 2019
Cortez Masto Calls for Improved Accountability and Reporting to Protect Seniors in Nursing Care
Washington, D.C. - At a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned government experts and health care advocates about elder abuse and neglect in America's nursing homes. Cortez Masto called for better data tracking instances of abuse and neglect as well as stricter reporting standards for nursing homes. "In your testimony, you stated that when Medicare beneficiaries residing in nursing homes are admitted to emergency rooms, twenty percent … Continue Reading
July 23, 2019
Cortez Masto Applauds Passage of Bill to Support 9/11 Victims
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) hailed the passage in the Senate of the Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act to ensure that 9/11 victims are fully compensated for their losses. This bipartisan legislation ensures that all 9/11 first responders and survivors suffering from injuries related to the attacks or to exposure at Ground Zero who have certified 9/11 illnesses receive their full compensation … Continue Reading
July 23, 2019
Cortez Masto Highlights Importance of Access to Banking Services for Legal Cannabis Businesses
Washington, D.C. - At a Senate Banking Committee hearing on the challenges of cannabis banking, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) discussed the need to ensure legal cannabis businesses have access to banking services and the security those services bring. She highlighted the importance of passing the Secure And Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, which would allow banks and credit unions to provide financial services to licensed cannabis businesses, cannabis-related businesses and … Continue Reading
July 23, 2019
Cortez Masto Welcomes $200,000 to Build New Public Park in Reno
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced a $200,000 grant to fund the creation of a new 5.6 acre park, Somersett West Park, in Reno. The park will be complete with a playground, open turf, community garden, picnic shelter and walking trail and will provide front country access to part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. "Nevada's public spaces provide us with the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors with loved ones, and they create jobs in the Silver … Continue Reading
July 23, 2019
Cortez Masto, Rosen Applaud Over $21.2 Million for Affordable Housing and Community Development Projects in Southern Nevada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) announced over $21.2 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant funding for affordable housing and community development projects in Southern Nevada. "Nevada is experiencing one of the most severe affordable housing shortages in the nation, and these investments will provide a lifeline for Nevadans struggling with skyrocketing rent and outdated housing infrastructure. … Continue Reading
July 17, 2019
Cortez Masto Hears from Small Business Owner about Predatory Practices in Franchise Industry, Announces Future Bill to Increase Transparency
Washington, D.C. - At a hearing of the Senate Banking Committee's Subcommittee on Economic Policy, Ranking Member Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) shed light on predatory practices in the franchise industry. Cortez Masto questioned franchise owner Keith Miller about how bad actors in the franchise industry prey on hard-working Americans, particularly on immigrants, veterans, retirees, and other vulnerable groups, and she announced that she would introduce legislation to bring greater … Continue Reading
July 17, 2019
Cortez Masto Joins Women Senators to Introduce Equal Pay Bill for All U.S. National Teams
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) in introducing the Athletics Fair Pay Act, a bill to require equal pay and compensation for all Olympic and amateur athletes. "Pay is a reflection of how workers are valued in our society, and the inherent message behind paying women less is they offer less than male counterparts. Women deserve to receive compensation for their extraordinary performance, and … Continue Reading
July 16, 2019
Cortez Masto, Rosen Applaud $1.5 Million to Fund Las Vegas Reentry Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) applauded the U.S. Department of Labor's $1.5 million grant to Las Vegas' Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow (FIT) to help those who have been involved in the justice system access job training and employment opportunities. "The Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow has helped hundreds of Nevadans find meaningful employment and build a better future for themselves and their families. With this … Continue Reading
July 16, 2019
Cortez Masto Questions Facebook about Digital Currency Guardrails, How It Will Combat Money Laundering
Washington, D.C. - At a hearing of the Senate Banking Committee, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned David A. Marcus, head of Calibra, Facebook's new digital currency subsidiary, about how the company will combat money laundering and terrorism financing. "One [concern] for me, in particular, is something I've dealt with as Attorney General of the state, which is the issue of money laundering. I know there's clear regulatory oversight that we have right now to address the … Continue Reading
July 16, 2019
Cortez Masto Leads Bill to Support Travel & Tourism, Boost Jobs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) in introducing legislation to reauthorize Brand USA, a public-private partnership that enhances tourism across the country by promoting international travel to the United States. "Restoring funding to Brand USA is a critical investment in Nevada and the hundreds of thousands of jobs in our tourism and hospitality industries," said Cortez Masto. … Continue Reading
July 16, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Improve Health Care Affordability and Provide Certainty to Marketplaces
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored Senator Jeanne Shaheen's (D-N.H.) Marketplace Certainty Act to lower enrollees' out-of-pocket costs and improve market stability. The legislation would reduce deductibles and co-pays for low-income and middle-income patients by expanding the cost-sharing reduction (CSR) assistance for individuals enrolled in marketplace coverage, making it available to more families. It would also provide permanent funding for those … Continue Reading
July 12, 2019
Cortez Masto Joins Legislation to Block Immigration Enforcement at Sensitive Locations
Washington, D.C. - As the Trump Administration plans to target immigrant communities with widespread raids starting on Sunday, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and a group of fifteen Senators in introducing legislation to block immigration enforcement actions at sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and religious institutions without prior approval and exigent circumstances. The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act codifies the … Continue Reading
July 12, 2019
Cortez Masto Questions Fed Chair about Wage Stagnation, Highlights Importance of Investing in Trades
Washington, D.C. - At a hearing of the Senate Banking Committee, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell about the wage stagnation affecting college and non-college educated workers and raised concerns about the lack of detailed data on labor skill levels in the Monetary Policy Report. Cortez Masto argued that higher education is not the only way for Americans to achieve higher incomes, and she called on Powell to consider the value of … Continue Reading
July 11, 2019
Cortez Masto Statement on the Passing of Former LVMPD Captain Larry Burns
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) issued the following release on the passing of retired Las Vegas Police Captain Larry Burns. "Paul and I are deeply saddened to learn of Captain Larry Burns' passing. Larry was a friend and beloved figure in Las Vegas for nearly 40 years. He dedicated his life to serving and protecting our community for twenty-seven years and was the longest-serving SWAT commander in Metro history. From his work to rehabilitate the communities he … Continue Reading
July 11, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Protect Children at the Border
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Charles E. Schumer (D.-N.Y.), Jeff Merkley (D.-Ore.), Patty Murray (D.-Wash.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Bob Menendez (D.-N.J.) and 32 other colleagues today to introduce the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act. This new legislation would put an end to the Trump administration's cruel and neglectful treatment of children at the U.S.-Mexico border and reform how … Continue Reading
July 11, 2019
Cortez Masto, Blumenthal Introduce Legislation to Prevent the President from Abusing Pardon Powers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced the Abuse of the Pardon Prevention Act to ensure transparency and accountability in the pardon process in cases involving investigations of the President or his relatives. "President Trump has repeatedly touted his 'absolute power to pardon', even when considering self-serving pardons for close personal, business and campaign associates - many of whom are currently embroiled in … Continue Reading