Press Releases
Cortez Masto, Daines Introduce Legislation to Improve Veterans’ Access to Public Lands
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act to create an intergovernmental task force to identify opportunities to expand access and usage of public lands for outdoor therapy and rehabilitation treatments. Representatives Christopher Smith (R-N.J.) and Adam Smith (D-Wash.) have reintroduced its companion legislation in the House. "For many veterans, getting … Continue Reading
May 01, 2019
Cortez Masto: Nevadans Won’t Allow Yucca Mountain to be Forced On Them
Mr. Chairman, all we are asking today is that Nevada is treated fairly, that it is treated the same as every other state. Congress should not, and cannot, shove nuclear waste down our throats. The federal government has spent $19 billion with little to show in result. There are no waste disposal tunnels. No waste handling facilities. No monitoring infrastructure. No containment infrastructure. No railroad infrastructure needed for transporting waste into the site. According to Former Air … Continue Reading
April 30, 2019
Cortez Masto Questions How Advanced Technology Can Reduce Nuclear Waste, Address Yucca Mountain
Washington, D.C. - At today's hearing at the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned witnesses on how emerging advanced nuclear reactor technologies can reduce nuclear waste, especially in light of repeated attempts to store nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain. She pressed witnesses on whether America's existing nuclear fleet can benefit from the proposed Nuclear Energy Leadership Act, which examines pathways to reestablish America's … Continue Reading
April 30, 2019
Cortez Masto Releases Hold on Department of Energy Nominees
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today announced she would lift her hold on all Department of Energy nominees after securing an agreement with Energy Secretary Rick Perry on the removal of a half metric ton of plutonium from the state of Nevada. "Today I've released my holds on all pending Department of Energy nominees following an agreement with the Department of Energy that the Department will commence the removal of the weapons-grade plutonium that was … Continue Reading
April 30, 2019
Cortez Masto, Senators Demand CFPB Maintain Home Mortgage Disclosure Database
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) in demanding that CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger reverse her decision to remove Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) Explorer and the Public Data Platform Application Programming Interface (API) from the CFPB website. HMDA data is a primary tool to measure trends and disparities in mortgage credit access, and CFPB's HMDA Explorer and API have made it easier for local organizations, academics, … Continue Reading
April 30, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors New Legislation to Tackle Nationwide Digital Equity Gap
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Senate Democratic colleagues to introduce new legislation aimed at closing the growing digital divide in communities across the country. The Digital Equity Act of 2019 creates new federal investments in a diverse array of projects at the state and local level that promote "digital equity"- a concept defined by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance as the "condition in which all … Continue Reading
April 29, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Restore Funds to Support Mental Health Programs for Law Enforcement
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) to support a bipartisan bill that restores up to $7,500,000 in expired grant funding for law enforcement family support services. The Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis (STOIC) Act of 2019 allows grant recipients to use funds to establish suicide prevention programs and mental health services for law enforcement officers. "Nevada's heroic law enforcement faithfully serve and protect our … Continue Reading
April 26, 2019
Cortez Masto Participates in Smart Cities Panel Hosted by Desert Research Institute
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) participated in a panel discussion hosted by the Desert Research Institute and convened in honor of their 60th anniversary. The panel entitled the "Science Behind Smarter Communities" featured Dr. Kristen Averyt, President of Desert Research Institute (DRI), Dr. Missy Cummings, 2016 DRI Nevada Medalist and Director of the Humans and Anatomy Lab at Duke University and Tina Quigley, General Manager of the Regional Transportation … Continue Reading
April 24, 2019
Cortez Masto Participates in Roundtable Discussion on the Impacts of Climate Change for Communities of Color
Las Vegas, Nev. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) participated in a roundtable to highlight the disproportionate impact of climate change on communities of color. Cortez Masto talked about her new appointment to the Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis and discussed initiatives to bring the voices of communities of color to the forefront of climate change discussions. "Every day I hear from Nevadans who are frustrated that their elected leaders aren't … Continue Reading
April 24, 2019
Cortez Masto at Rape Crisis Center’s Denim Day: We Must Stand Together to Support Survivors of Sexual Violence
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) attended the Rape Crisis Center's annual Denim Day Luncheon and spoke about the importance of supporting survivors of sexual abuse and assault. "Community organizations like the Rape Crisis Center are on the frontlines providing the critical resources and support that survivors of sexual violence need to heal. On Denim Day, we stand together and renew our commitment to tear down the cultural stereotypes that blame the survivors of … Continue Reading
April 24, 2019
Cortez Masto, Rosen Statement on Draft Legislation to Revive Yucca Mountain
Las Vegas, Nev. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) issued the following statement in response to draft legislation that would revive the Yucca Mountain project. "Nevadans have spoken: We don't want nuclear waste dumped in our backyards. Congress must respect our will and ensure states have a voice when the federal government tries to store nuclear waste within their borders. This half-hatched proposal to trample on Nevada's rights and revive Yucca … Continue Reading
April 19, 2019
Cortez Masto Tours Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, Touts Nevada’s Status as Innovation State
From top Left to top Right: Senator Cortez Masto tours Panasonic and speaks with Storey County Commissioner and TRIC developer Lance Gilman about growth at the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center. From bottom Left to bottom Right: Senator Cortez Masto tours Ryze Renewables and Fulcrum Sierra Biofuels. Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today toured the 107,000 acre Tahoe Reno Industrial Center (TRIC) with Storey County Commissioner and TRIC developer Lance Gilman. TRIC is home … Continue Reading
April 19, 2019
Cortez Masto, Rosen Applaud AmeriCorps Grant to Nevada Non-Profit Organizations
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) applauded AmeriCorps for awarding over $3.6 million to Nevada non-profits employing AmeriCorps members. These grants to Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation, Great Basin Institute, and Nye Communities Coalition will help put 248 AmeriCorps members on the ground to serve Nevada. Nevada Volunteers, the Governor-appointed state service commission, will also receive funding to support additional AmeriCorps … Continue Reading
April 19, 2019
Cortez Masto Celebrates Diversity and International Education at NNIC’s Global Gala
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) attended the Northern Nevada International Center Global Gala yesterday and delivered brief remarks for its annual event that promotes international education and cultural understanding in Northern Nevada. "As the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of immigrants from Mexico and Italy, I learned about the struggles my family faced as they integrated into a new country. That's why I'm grateful the Northern Nevada International Center … Continue Reading
April 18, 2019
Cortez Masto Celebrates Massacre Rim as Nevada’s First Dark Sky Sanctuary
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Friends of Nevada Wilderness, the Bureau of Land Management and other Massacre Rim advocates in a presentation of a Congressional Record statement honoring the Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area as Nevada's first Dark Sky sanctuary. This designation will promote long-term conservation in Nevada, preserve natural resources and strengthen Nevada's strong outdoor recreation economy. "Designating the Massacre Rim as our first Dark … Continue Reading
April 18, 2019
Cortez Masto Celebrates $40 Million DOT Allocation for Midtown Reno Revitalization Project
Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today joined the Washoe Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) on a tour of the Reno Virginia Street BRT Extension Project after it was announced last week that the project will receive a $40.4 million federal Capital Investment Grant (CIG). This grant allocation will help extend the RAPID bus service to the University of Nevada, Reno and will upgrade aging utilities infrastructures along Virginia Street in Midtown. "Thousands of … Continue Reading
April 15, 2019
Volume 2, Issue 1 - A Message for Nevada
April 12, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Increase Transparency in Elections
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored legislation introduced by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D- R.I.) requiring organizations spending money in federal elections to disclose their donors and helping guard against hidden foreign interference in American democracy. "The American people deserve a fair and transparent political process. No organization that engages in campaign activity should be exempt from disclosing their donors," said Senator Cortez Masto. … Continue Reading
April 12, 2019
Cortez Masto, Rosen Applaud Over $36.9 Million in Funding For Affordable Housing Projects Across Nevada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) applauded the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for awarding over $36.9 million in Fiscal Year 2019 grant funding for affordable housing projects across Nevada. "These HUD grants are a critical investment toward addressing the affordable housing crisis in Nevada, where we face one of the most severe housing shortages in the nation. This funding will support housing for low-income … Continue Reading
April 11, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Ensure Legal Cannabis Businesses Can Access Banking Services
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues to introduce legislation to provide access to banking services for legal cannabis businesses. The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act would allow banks and credit unions to provide financial services to licensed cannabis businesses, cannabis-related businesses and service providers in states that have legalized medicinal or recreational … Continue Reading
