Press Releases
Cortez Masto’s Week in Review: Coronavirus Mitigation and Behavioral Health Resources
Washington, D.C. - This week, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) supported numerous pieces of legislation and Congressional efforts to improve Nevadans' access to health care and mental health services during the coronavirus pandemic. "The coronavirus pandemic is still taking an incredible toll on Nevadans' physical and mental health. This week, I focused on introducing legislation to improve health care services for struggling Nevadans, from a bill that would make health … Continue Reading
January 29, 2021
Cortez Masto, Cassidy Introduce Legislation to Reimburse Ambulance Providers for Services Delivered During Coronavirus Pandemic
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.) introduced legislation to reimburse ambulance providers for services delivered to Medicare beneficiaries during the coronavirus pandemic. Because of high demand for hospital beds, many ambulance providers have been directed to care for patients in settings other than emergency rooms-whether at patients' homes or in other health care facilities. Unfortunately, Medicare does not pay ambulance … Continue Reading
January 29, 2021
Cortez Masto, Rosen Announce Nearly $18 Million in Grants to Counter Nevada Homelessness, Eighth Highest in Nation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) today announced $17,834,762 in grant funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The 48 grants were awarded to Nevada organizations across the state as part of HUD's Continuum of Care (CoC) Program, which provides communitywide support to ending homelessness. "It's unacceptable that Nevada has some of the highest rates of homelessness in the country. We are pleased to see these … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Cortez Masto Questions Rouse, Fudge on Travel Industry, Housing Crises
Washington, D.C. - In a Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) met with Dr. Cecilia Rouse, President Biden's nominee for Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, and Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, the nominee for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Senator Cortez Masto talked to Dr. Rouse about issues "surrounding the hospitality industry and tourism industry, because Nevada has been so hard hit. Our resort … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Cortez Masto, Horsford Introduce Bill to Make Health Care More Affordable for Families With Working Children
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Congressman Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04) today introduced the Dependent Income Exclusion Act to make health insurance more affordable for families with children who have part-time jobs or are enrolled in job training programs. This legislation would allow families to exclude specific dependent income when calculating their eligibility for Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Sherrod Brown … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Cortez Masto, Horsford Introduce Bill to Make Health Care More Affordable for Families With Working Children
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Congressman Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04) today introduced the Dependent Income Exclusion Act to make health insurance more affordable for families with children who have part-time jobs or are enrolled in job training programs. This legislation would allow families to exclude specific dependent income when calculating their eligibility for Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Sherrod Brown … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Cortez Masto Questions Granholm About Plutonium, Clean Energy, Secures Administration’s Commitment to Oppose Yucca Mountain
Washington, D.C. - In an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, President Biden's nominee for Secretary of Energy, about Yucca Mountain, plutonium storage, and the Department of Energy's (DOE's) plan to combat the climate crisis. Senator Cortez Masto called the effort to site a spent nuclear waste facility at Yucca Mountain "a failed policy. . . . We … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Cortez Masto Aims to Bolster Virtual Peer Support Behavioral Health Programs in New Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) re-introduced her Virtual Peer Support Act, legislation intended to help boost the capacity of peer behavioral health support programs by transitioning them to an online setting. Specifically, this bill would provide $50 million in grants through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to eligible organizations to fund the implementation of new virtual peer support programs and the expansion of … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Cortez Masto, Rosen Applaud Biden Administration’s Actions to Boost Vaccine Supply
Washington, D.C. - Today, following a call with the White House on the distribution of vaccines to Nevada, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) released the following statement applauding President Biden for taking action to increase the weekly supply of COVID-19 vaccines in Nevada and across the country, as well as increase transparency to states, tribes, and territories. "Ensuring Nevadans have access to the coronavirus vaccine is one of my top priorities, … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Cortez Masto, Scott Introduce Bill to Ease Access to Telehealth Services
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) will introduce bipartisan legislation, the Ensuring Parity in Medicare Advantage for Audio-Only Telehealth Act of 2021, to facilitate Medicare Advantage enrollees' access to telehealth during the pandemic, even if they can only make an audio connection to providers. "Many of Nevada's seniors have been following guidance to rely on telehealth services during the coronavirus … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Cortez Masto Votes to Confirm Antony Blinken as Secretary of State
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) voted today to confirm Antony Blinken as Secretary of State. "Tony Blinken understands the importance of strong partnerships and continued engagement with our allies abroad to ensure a secure and prosperous place for America in the world. I was especially glad to hear him recognize the challenge China represents to our economy and to the human rights we value. In working with Secretary Blinken, I will continue to advocate for … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Cortez Masto Votes to Put Yellen at Helm of Treasury
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) voted today to confirm Dr. Janet Yellen as Secretary of the Treasury. "From her time as chair of the Council of Economic Advisors to her stewardship of the Federal Reserve, Secretary Yellen has the broad experience necessary to help stimulate the economy, support struggling Nevadans, and put the country on a path to recovery. Based on our conversations, I believe that she understands the coronavirus pandemic's impact on Nevada's … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Cortez Masto Votes to Confirm General Austin as Secretary of Defense
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) voted to confirm General Lloyd J. Austin III as Secretary of Defense. The Senator voted to confirm him today based on his merits and qualifications, independent of the concerns she voiced yesterday about the waiver for him to serve in the position. "The United States is facing many pressing security threats, both at home and abroad. Secretary Designate Austin is extremely qualified to take on the important tasks of protecting our … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Cortez Masto, Rosen Call for Changes to PUA to Help Unemployment Assistance Reach More Nevadans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) sent a letter to President Biden calling on the Administration to support extending unemployment benefits and changes to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which ensures that workers not eligible for traditional unemployment benefits can receive support. States have struggled to get PUA to workers in a timely fashion, and the policies the Senators suggest would extend the program, ensure … Continue Reading
January 21, 2021
Cortez Masto Statement on Congressional Waiver for General Austin as Secretary of Defense
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in response to her vote on the Congressional waiver to permit the confirmation of retired General Lloyd J. Austin to serve as Secretary of Defense. While Senator Cortez Masto believes General Austin is qualified for the position, she voted against the waiver due to concerns about the erosion of civilian control over the U.S. military. Under current law, military officers cannot serve as … Continue Reading
January 21, 2021
Cortez Masto, Rosen Applaud $177 Million for COVID-19 Prevention and Tracing
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $177,412,608 to entities in Nevada to support monitoring, investigation, and tracing of COVID-19 outbreaks in the state. "We are glad to see these funds get to the Silver State so that we can monitor and prevent outbreaks of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. We will continue working in the Senate to get Nevadans more … Continue Reading
January 20, 2021
Cortez Masto Statement on the 59th Presidential Inauguration
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement following the inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr. as the 46th President of the United States and Kamala Harris as Vice President: "After a free and fair election, our country enters a new era of leadership today under President Biden and Vice President Harris. I'm heartened by the actions the Biden Administration has already taken on day one and am prepared to work with the new … Continue Reading
January 19, 2021
Cortez Masto Raises Hospitality Industry, Housing Issues With Treasury Secretary Nominee Yellen
Washington, D.C. - During today's Senate Finance Committee Hearing, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned President-elect Biden's nominee for Secretary of the Treasury, Dr. Janet Yellen, about ways to relieve the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on Nevada's hospitality industry and on the state's ongoing housing crisis. Cortez Masto asked, "Before the pandemic, the travel and tourism industry was one of the largest sectors of the economy. … Continue Reading
January 18, 2021
Cortez Masto Speaks With DHS Nominee Mayorkas
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today met virtually with President-elect Biden's nominee for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Alejandro Mayorkas. "The United States faces an array of national security threats, from cybersecurity breaches to domestic terrorism. At the same time, DHS is tasked with overseeing our outdated and broken immigration system. I was glad to have the chance to discuss national security issues and how to create an … Continue Reading
January 18, 2021
Cortez Masto Reflects on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy of Activism
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man of integrity, intelligence and determination. His legacy lives on in the women and men who are standing up to oppression and injustice in Nevada and across the nation. Many of Dr. King's powerful words still ring true today as we continue to fight against hate, racism and injustice in all forms. As we celebrate and … Continue Reading
