Press Releases
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
April 11, 2019
Cortez Masto Statement on Vote Against Interior Secretary Nominee David Bernhardt
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement following her vote against the confirmation of David Bernhardt to be U.S. Interior Secretary: "In Nevada, our public lands and national monuments are living examples of our state's history; and for thousands of Nevadans they're essential to their livelihoods from recreational tourism to grazing and renewable energy development. With Secretary Bernhardt at the helm of the Department of the … Continue Reading
April 10, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Expand Important Family Tax Credits
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and 39 Senate colleagues in introducing legislation that would help expand two tax credits aimed at putting money back in the pockets of hardworking Nevada families. The Working Families Tax Relief Act would expand access to and increase the value of both the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC). … Continue Reading
April 10, 2019
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Demand Transparency, Public Input for Oil and Gas Leasing on Public Lands
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) led thirteen senators in a letter to Acting Secretary Bernhardt to demand clarity on his decision to systemically limit public input on his initiative to open more public lands for oil and gas leasing. "As the United States Senate continues to consider your nomination for Secretary of the Interior, we are extremely concerned about actions taken by the Department of the Interior (DOI), under your direction, to limit opportunities … Continue Reading
April 09, 2019
Cortez Masto, Rosen, Amodei Applaud $40.4 Million Grant for Reno’s Virginia Street Project
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Representative Mark Amodei (R-Nev.-02) released the following statement celebrating the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) announcement of a $40.4 million Capital Investment Grant (CIG) to fund the Reno Virginia Street BRT Extension Project. This project will extend Reno's existing bus rapid transit service that operates in the Virginia Street corridor by 1.8 miles, linking the University of … Continue Reading
April 09, 2019
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Introduce Bill Allowing Workers to Receive Paid Sick Days
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and 31 Senate colleagues in re-introducing the Healthy Families Act, which ensures workers are able to earn paid sick leave so they can stay home when they are ill, care for a sick family member, obtain preventive medical care or seek assistance related to domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault. "Hardworking Nevadans shouldn't be forced to decide between their health and security in … Continue Reading
April 08, 2019
Cortez Masto Applauds Congressional Passage of the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Senate passed the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act. Senator Cortez Masto cosponsored this legislation which ensures the implementation of the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) while also respecting vital environmental protections for the states along the Colorado River Basin. This evening, the House also passed companion DCP legislation. The measure will be sent to … Continue Reading
April 08, 2019
Cortez Masto, Senators Call for Reinstatement of Policy Against Holding Pregnant Women in Immigration Detention
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) led fifteen of her Senate colleagues in calling for the reinstatement of an Obama-era policy ordering most pregnant women to be released from immigration detention. In a letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the senators called for the reinstatement of presumptive release for pregnant detainees as well as improved medical care for expectant mothers. In February, a 24-year-old … Continue Reading
