Press Releases
Cortez Masto Celebrates Juneteenth in Reno
Reno, Nev. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) participated in Reno's thirtieth annual Juneteenth celebration, hosted by the Northern Nevada Black Cultural Awareness Society (NNBCAS). Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day that news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached the last enslaved African and African descendant people in Galveston, Texas. "In recognition of this important anniversary, we must remember the sanctity of the hard-won freedom earned by … Continue Reading
June 15, 2019
Cortez Masto to McConnell on 7th Anniversary of DACA: Bring the Dream and Promise Act Up for a Vote
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement marking the 7th anniversary of the announcement of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. "Seven years ago, DACA opened the door for thousands of undocumented youth in Nevada to come out of the shadows and contribute to our communities in so many ways - from opening small businesses, to becoming teachers in our schools and serving our country in the military. Now, the Trump … Continue Reading
June 14, 2019
Cortez Masto Welcomes New Citizens on Flag Day in Reno
Reno, Nev. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) delivered a keynote address at the Washoe County Courthouse annual Flag Day celebration, which included a naturalization ceremony for 50 new U.S. citizens. The event was hosted by the Second Judicial District Court and the U.S. District Court. "Immigrants enlarge our vision of who we live with, work with, and worship with. I truly believe that every generation of immigrants enriches the fabric of our nation. Today, as we … Continue Reading
June 14, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Modernize Voting Systems and Protect Against Electoral Interference
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today cosponsored legislation to strengthen the security of our voting systems and bolster federal funding to protect against attacks on America's elections. Introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), the Election Security Act provides grants to states to modernize their election infrastructure so every vote cast in federal elections is secure. "America's elections continue to be the targets of bad actors abroad who want to … Continue Reading
June 14, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Expand Access and Remove Financial Obstacles to Naturalization
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today cosponsored legislation to preserve and expand access to citizenship by removing financial barriers. Introduced by Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), the Citizenship Affordability Act ensures legal residents who are eligible but struggle to afford naturalization can access waivers to reduce or eliminate fees associated with the process. "America is a nation of immigrants from all walks of life. We shouldn't be putting … Continue Reading
June 14, 2019
Cortez Masto, Schumer, Klobuchar and Hassan Introduce Legislation to Deter Illegal Robocalls
Cortez Masto, Schumer, Klobuchar and Hassan Introduce the DO NOT Call Act of 2019 Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today introduced the Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious, and Outrageous Telephone (DO NOT) Call Act of 2019 with Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.). This legislation will improve enforcement and enhance penalties for violations made under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Though the current … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Cortez Masto Calls for Critical Funding & Federal Coordination to Combat Wild & Rangeland Fires at Hearing
Washington, D.C. - At today's hearing of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned Mrs. Shawna Legarza, Director of Fire and Aviation Management at U.S. Forest Service, and Mr. Jeff Rupert, Director of the Office of Wildland Fire at the U.S. Department of the Interior, on funding for fighting and preventing rangeland fires. The Senator highlighted the need for rangeland fires, which account for 75% of all the acres burned in the … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Cortez Masto, Senators to CFPB: Data Critical To Ensuring Housing Access For All Americans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and 17 other senators in demanding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rescind its proposal to further reduce reporting under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). "We are extremely concerned that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has once again put the interests of the financial industry above those of the consumers it is charged to protect. We urge you to immediately … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Strengthen Tribal and Federal Coordination and Reduce Violence in Native Communities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today cosponsored legislation expanding coordination between tribal and federal law enforcement to support federal, state and local efforts to respond to violence in Native communities. Introduced by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Ranking Member Tom Udall (D-N.M.), the BADGES for Native Communities Act improves data collection and information sharing, promotes tribal outreach and empowers tribal law enforcement with … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Cortez Masto Introduces Bill to Protect Call Center Workers and U.S. Consumers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-Penn.) today introduced legislation that discourages businesses from relocating or contracting out call centers overseas. The United States Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act incentivizes domestic business investments, tracks the overseas relocation of call centers and increases transparency for U.S. consumers interacting with call centers. "Workers deserve the peace of mind that comes … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Resolution Recognizing June As LGBTQ Pride Month
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined 46 Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution to recognize June 2019 as "LGBTQ Pride Month." Introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), the resolution celebrates the significant contributions of LGBTQ individuals to American life, while also promising to continue fighting for an end to discrimination and injustice. "Nevada is home to one of the most vibrant LGBTQ communities in America. During Pride Month, we … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Cortez Masto, Scott, Smith, Cramer, Young Introduce HUD Manufactured Housing Modernization Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.) introduced legislation promoting manufactured housing as part of the solution to America's affordable housing crisis. The HUD Manufactured Housing Modernization Act of 2019 would ensure that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) supports state and local governments that wish to include manufactured housing as an affordable … Continue Reading
June 10, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill Providing Tax Relief to College Scholarship Recipients
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today cosponsored legislation to ensure students receiving scholarships and grants to finance their higher education are not overly taxed. Introduced by Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), the Tax Relief for Student Success Act would require college students' scholarship aid to be taxed as individual income rather than as a trust or estate. "Middle- and low-income students face overwhelming obstacles in … Continue Reading
June 07, 2019
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Call on Trump Administration to Protect Consumers from Abusive Debt Collection Tactics
Washington, D.C. - Following passage of legislation cracking down on annoying and unwanted robocalls, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and a group of colleagues in calling on Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Kathy Kraninger to reverse a proposed rule that would, for the first time, allow debt collection companies to send unlimited texts and emails to consumers. Just last year, often-abusive and … Continue Reading
June 07, 2019
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Demand State Department Reverse Anti-LGBTQ Immigration Policy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined a letter led by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanding an immediate end to his policy that denies citizenship to children born abroad to same-sex couples when one parent is a U.S. citizen. In the past, a federal court has struck down the Department's anti-LGBTQ interpretation of the policy that places undue burdens on same-sex married couples. "Your … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Cortez Masto Remarks on the No Junk Plans Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor urging her colleagues to support the No Junk Plans Act. This bill would rescind President Trump's Executive Order allowing insurance companies to offer consumers up to three years of coverage via "junk plans" - short-term, limited-duration plans that don't have to cover essential health benefits like prescription drugs, emergency room visits and maternity care. Below are her remarks as … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Remove Financial Barriers to Reproductive Health Care
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today cosponsored legislation to ensure equal access to safe and legal abortions by eliminating bans on federal funding. The Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH) Woman Act protects every woman's constitutionally-guaranteed right to comprehensive reproductive health care and helps ensure access to care to each woman, regardless of income, race or where in the country they may live. "Reproductive justice … Continue Reading
June 03, 2019
Cortez Masto Recognizes Immigrant Heritage Month
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement marking Immigrant Heritage Month: "It brings me great pride to represent a state as diverse as Nevada, where different languages, customs and traditions enrich our communities. Immigrant Heritage Month marks a time to celebrate the ideals of opportunity and equality enshrined in America's founding documents - ideals that have made our country a beacon of hope for people all over the world, … Continue Reading
June 03, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill To Protect LGBTQ Americans From Housing Discrimination
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2019, bipartisan legislation that would add gender identity and sexual orientation to the classes protected from discrimination under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) to ensure equal housing opportunities for all Americans. The FHA prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or disability but not sexual orientation or gender … Continue Reading
June 03, 2019
Cortez Masto, Rosen Call on USCIS to Address Green Card, Citizenship Processing Delays
Washington, D.C. - Last month, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) sent a letter urging U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to address the processing delays experienced in Nevada field offices and take action to reduce the state's immigration backlog. In the Silver State, one in five residents is an immigrant and these delays affect the social and economic welfare of all Nevadans. "Current wait times have reached an unacceptable length", the … Continue Reading
