Press Releases
Cortez Masto, Cornyn, Carper and Cassidy Introduce Prescription Cost Reporting Legislation to Reduce Drug Costs on American Taxpayers
Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), John Cornyn (R-Tex.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced drug pricing transparency legislation. This bill allows the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) as well as the Medicaid and CHIP Payment Advisory Commission (MACPAC) access to critical information on pricing and contracts under Medicaid and Medicare. "One of the things I hear from Nevadans every day is the challenges they face … Continue Reading
March 14, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors the Hire Student Veterans Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Hire Student Veterans Act, a bill led by Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) to increase work opportunities for student veterans. The bipartisan legislation expands the existing Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to allow student veterans using GI Bill benefits to pursue paid internships or part-time work while in school. "Nevada's 300,000 veterans deserve every support we can provide them as … Continue Reading
March 14, 2019
Cortez Masto Statement on the U.S. Forest Service’s Decision to Not Allow Oil and Gas Leasing in the Ruby Mountains
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest released its draft decision in the Ruby Mountains Oil and Gas Leasing Availability Analysis. The U.S. Forest Service found that proposed lands within the Ruby Mountains are not suitable for oil and gas leasing. "I commend the Forest Service for recognizing what the majority of Nevadans have loudly said: oil and gas drilling has no place in the Ruby … Continue Reading
March 14, 2019
Cortez Masto: President Trump’s Budget Doesn’t Put Nevada First
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after reviewing the specifics of President Trump's budget proposal and its impact on the State of Nevada. "While I commend the Administration for recognizing that the issue of childcare is crucial for families, there is little in this budget that is good for America. From repealing the Affordable Care Act, targeting Medicaid and SNAP, to gutting crucial housing and education funding; the … Continue Reading
March 14, 2019
Cortez Masto, Menendez Introduce Resolution Recognizing the Contributions of Latinas
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced a resolution to celebrate the contributions of Latinas in the United States during National Women's History Month. The Senators' resolution honors the heritage, culture and contributions of Latinas in a variety of fields while acknowledging the pervasive barriers that prevent their full recognition as equal members of society. Representative Lou Correa (D-Calif.) introduced a companion … Continue Reading
March 13, 2019
Cortez Masto Statement on Yemen Resolution Vote
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after she voted in support of a joint resolution to end the United States' role in Yemen's civil war. "As we approach four years of war in Yemen, Congress must do more to push for an end to the conflict and ensure humanitarian aid reaches the millions of innocent civilians who have been suffering for far too long. We must also take action to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its role in this … Continue Reading
March 13, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Provide Debt Relief to Students Pursuing Higher Education
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored legislation led by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) to ease students' debt burdens by allowing eligible borrowers to refinance their federal loans. By closing tax loopholes and providing options for lower interest rates, the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act significantly reduces barriers for eligible students to pursue higher education and save for their futures. "Nevada students averaged over $23,000 … Continue Reading
March 13, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors EQUALITY Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Equality Act, introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). This legislation would amend existing federal civil rights laws to explicitly ban discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity and sexual orientation. "For decades, LGBTQ Americans have fought relentlessly to achieve social and political equality in the United States. While we've made strides together, LGBTQ Americans continue to face … Continue Reading
March 12, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Native American Voting Rights Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Native American Voting Rights Act of 2019, which defends Native Americans' civil rights by ensuring their right to vote is protected. "For too long Native communities throughout America have waited for the federal government to guarantee their civil rights, including the right to vote. The Native American Voting Rights Act is essential to removing barriers to voting that are all too common in Tribal communities. … Continue Reading
March 12, 2019
Cortez Masto Grills Kraninger over CFPB Failure to Protect Servicemembers from Predatory Lenders
Washington, D.C. - At a hearing of the Senate Banking Committee, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) grilled Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Kathy Kraninger about the agency's decision to stop monitoring banks' and payday lenders' compliance with the Military Lending Act (MLA), a law that protects servicemembers and their families from predatory lending. "By choosing not to include the MLA as part of the CFPB's supervisory exams, particularly of payday lenders, … Continue Reading
March 11, 2019
Cortez Masto, Bipartisan Group of Senators Urge Inclusion of Contractor Back Pay in Upcoming Disaster Package
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Chris Van Hollen and a bipartisan group of 37 Senators in sending a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee urging the inclusion of back pay for federal contract workers impacted by the government shutdown within the upcoming disaster relief package. While federal workers harmed by the government shutdown have since been compensated for their lost wages, federal contract employees - including janitorial, food, … Continue Reading
March 08, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Combat Animal Cruelty
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored legislation led by Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) to protect the lives of animals. The Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act outlaws a heinous form of animal maiming and torture known as "crushing." "It's unacceptable that acts of animal cruelty and torture, such as 'crushing,' aren't already punishable by federal law. This needs to change. I'm proud to join this bipartisan effort … Continue Reading
March 08, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Resolution to Recognize Legacy, Contributions of Indigenous Women
Washington, D.C. - Senator Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in introducing a resolution to celebrate and honor the successes of indigenous women across the nation. The resolution recognizes the heritage, culture and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women in the United States, highlighting the importance of promoting equity, providing safety and upholding the interests of strong, diverse women. "American … Continue Reading
March 07, 2019
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Urge President Trump to Designate Venezuela for TPS
Washington, D.C. - In light of the ongoing violence, deteriorating security situation, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela caused by the illegitimate regime of Nicolás Maduro, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and 23 Senate colleagues in a letter to President Donald Trump requesting that his Administration promptly designate Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) … Continue Reading
March 07, 2019
Cortez Masto, Udall, Tester Demand Answers After Tribal Health Care Resources Removed from HHS Websites
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Ranking Member Tom Udall (D-N.M) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar calling on him to explain why HHS removed vital health care resources for tribal communities from its Office of Minority Health and Administration for Native Americans (ANA) websites. In their letter, the Senators note that American Indian and Alaska … Continue Reading
March 07, 2019
Cortez Masto, Cassidy, Sinema, Moran Introduce Bill to Combat Financial Crime
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced legislation to combat money laundering and terrorism through financial intelligence. The FinCEN Improvement Act of 2019 bolsters national security by expanding the capacity of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to work with tribal law enforcement agencies, protect against domestic terrorism and focus on virtual currencies. "Since … Continue Reading
March 06, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Expand Child Tax Credit
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored legislation to put money back in the pockets of Nevada families during tax season. The American Family Act would create a new expanded child tax credit for families with children under 6 and increase the maximum child tax credit for children 6 years and older. The bill would make both credits fully refundable, ensuring low-income families receive the full benefit of the credits. "Far too many Nevada families are … Continue Reading
March 06, 2019
Cortez Masto: Chad Readler’s Confirmation Could Unleash Chaos on American Health Care System
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) spoke today on the Senate floor in opposition to the nomination of Chad Readler to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. In his position at the Department of Justice, Mr. Readler led the legal briefs for some of the department's most extreme positions, including the DOJ's legal brief for the Texas v. U.S. lawsuit, arguing against the Affordable Care Act's protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions. Below are her … Continue Reading
March 06, 2019
Cortez Masto Introduces Three Bills that Prioritize the Protection of Immigrant Children and Families
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today joined Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-Ore.) at a press conference announcing the introduction of three pieces of legislation that protect the rights of families and children fleeing violence and ensures they are treated humanely and fairly once in the United States. Senator Cortez Masto joined her colleagues in introducing the Child Trafficking Victims Protection and Welfare Act, which expands … Continue Reading
March 06, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Repeal Cadillac Tax
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today cosponsored the Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2019, a bill introduced by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) to repeal a 40% excise tax on certain employer-sponsored health insurance plans known as the "Cadillac Tax." The tax is expected to impact half of employer-based health plans by 2025. "The rising cost of health care is one of the top concerns I hear from Nevadans. The Cadillac … Continue Reading
