Press Releases
Cortez Masto, Wyden, Murray Introduce Bill to Protect Government Contractors During Shutdowns
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Senate HELP Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today introduced the Emergency Relief for Federal Contractors Act of 2019, which ensures that federal contractors affected by a government shutdown can withdraw funds from their retirement savings without being penalized. "The last government shutdown lasted 35 days and brought stress and uncertainty to … Continue Reading
February 13, 2019
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Suicide Crisis in Native Communities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and 13 Senate colleagues to introduce the bipartisan Native American Suicide Prevention Act. This legislation would help address the alarming suicide rate in Native communities by requiring collaboration among states and tribal nations in the design and implementation of statewide suicide intervention and prevention strategies. Representatives Raúl M. … Continue Reading
February 13, 2019
Cortez Masto, Democratic Senators Request Information on Shutdown’s Impacts on Wildfires and Hazardous Fuels
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Jeffrey Merkley (D-Ore.) and eight others on a letter requesting details from the U.S. Forest Service on the impacts of the recent government shutdown on wildfire and hazardous fuels management. "We write regarding the recent government shutdown and the impact it had on the United States Forest Service, specifically the Service's hazardous fuels work and … Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Cortez Masto Applauds Over $770,000 in Grant Funds Awarded to UNR Research Programs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the National Science Foundation (NSF) for awarding over $700,000 to the University of Nevada Reno to fund STEM research and training programs. "The National Science Foundation (NSF) is encouraging innovation in Nevada by investing in one of our state's premier, tier one research universities. The University of Nevada Reno continues to be at the forefront of pioneering research and technological development in Nevada … Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Cortez Masto Applauds Passage of Bipartisan Natural Resources Management Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Senate passed the Natural Resources Management Act, bipartisan legislation that sets guidelines for the management and conservation of natural resources on federal lands. This package of public lands bills includes three bills that will help jumpstart economic development in Nevada, while continuing to preserve our public lands and natural resources. "Nevada's public lands and natural … Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Ban High-Capacity Gun Magazines
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today joined Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) in introducing the Keep Americans Safe Act, common sense public safety legislation that would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of gun magazines that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition. "On 1October, 58 families were forever changed by senseless gun violence in America. They joined what one mother who lost a child at Sandy Hook has called an 'expanding … Continue Reading
February 07, 2019
Cortez Masto, Toomey Introduce Legislation to Combat Online Trafficking
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) introduced the Fight Illicit Networks and Detect (FIND) Trafficking Act of 2019. The FIND Trafficking Act would require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on how virtual currencies and online marketplaces are used to facilitate sex and drug trafficking and make recommendations on how to fight, detect and deter these illegal activities. "Far too many illegal enterprises are using … Continue Reading
February 07, 2019
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Improve Resettlement Process for Unaccompanied Children, Protect Sponsors
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), along with Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), in re-introducing the Families Not Facilities Act, legislation that would prohibit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from … Continue Reading
February 07, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors ANTIQUITIES Act to Combat Executive Threats to Public Lands
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined 23 Democratic senators in re-introducing the ANTIQUITIES Act of 2019, which protects national monuments and establishes new wilderness areas in Nevada. "Nevadans take great pride in our national monuments, Gold Butte and Basin and Range, as well as the Silver State's many other natural treasures. Our public lands are an essential part of our outdoor economy, sustain thousands of good-paying jobs, and have deep cultural and … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Prohibit Separation of Migrant Families
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in reintroducing the Keep Families Together Act, legislation that would prohibit the separation of migrant children from their parents or legal guardians by immigration officials at ports of entry or within 100 miles of the border. "Despite the Trump administration's reversal of their inhumane family separation policy, they have recently admitted that more children have been separated … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
Cortez Masto Applauds $1 Million to Invest in Engineering Students and Diversify STEM Workforce
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) welcomed a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to support 32 high-achieving students from low-income families pursuing engineering degrees at the University of Nevada, Reno. The Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) program aims to expand access to engineering education and diversify the STEM workforce. "Future leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics should … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
Cortez Masto, Menendez Urge Equal Treatment for Puerto Rico in Disaster Relief
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) urged Senate and House appropriators to include disaster relief funding for Puerto Rico in any supplemental disaster assistance package prepared by Congress. In a letter, the senators called for action in response to President Trump's threats to deny additional funding to Puerto Rico despite dwindling funds and an ongoing humanitarian crisis. "Puerto Rico is in dire need of additional disaster … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
Cortez Masto, Crapo, Bipartisan Group of Senators Send Letter Requesting Administration Stabilize Medicare Advantage Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) in a letter urging the Administration to stabilize the Medicare Advantage program that provides quality health care to 21 million seniors and individuals with disabilities. The senators wrote to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma requesting she consider how to strengthen the program, innovate with technology and ensure predictability for … Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Cortez Masto Statement on State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in response to President Trump's State of the Union address: "Tonight, President Trump painted a picture of an America with more pessimism than promise. Instead of bringing us together, he doubled down on the same old divisive rhetoric and once again sought to pit neighbors against each other. The President was unyielding in his demand for American taxpayers to pay billions to build a wall he … Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Cortez Masto, Democratic Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Help Prevent Housing Discrimination
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced The Home Loan Quality Transparency Act to reinstate Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection … Continue Reading
February 04, 2019
Cortez Masto Statement on Interior Secretary Nominee David Bernhardt
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) issued the following statement on the nomination of David Bernhardt to be U.S. Interior Secretary. "With over 85 percent of Nevada's lands owned by the federal government, the Department of Interior is a key partner with local communities in fostering economic development, creating opportunities for jobs in renewable energy, and in preserving our states' vital public lands like Red Rock and the Ruby Mountains. Acting Secretary … Continue Reading
February 04, 2019
Cortez Masto, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Prevent President Using Emergency Declaration to Raid Funds for Border Wall
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Senate Democratic colleagues to introduce the Restrictions Against Illegitimate Declarations for Emergency Re-appropriations (RAIDER) Act of 2019. The legislation prevents the president from utilizing the National Emergencies Act of 1976 to raid critical military construction and disaster response funds to construct his wall along the southern … Continue Reading
February 04, 2019
Cortez Masto Applauds $8.1 Million in Grants to Repair NV Roads Following Natural Disasters
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) celebrated the awarding of three federal grants totaling $8.1 million to the Nevada Department of Transportation (DOT). The grants are allocated through the U.S. DOT's Emergency Relief (ER) program to repair damage caused to highways and roads following natural disasters. "This grants package of $8.1 million will address widespread road and highway damage caused by storms and floods that prompted emergency declarations in Nevada. … Continue Reading
February 04, 2019
Cortez Masto Invites Federal Worker Impacted by Trump Shutdown as Guest to State of the Union
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement announcing Dr. Michael Moradshahi, a second generation American and licensed psychologist who has served in the Department of Veteran Affairs and currently works in the Indian Health System (IHS) in Reno, as her guest to the State of the Union. Dr. Moradshahi was forced to work without pay during the Trump shutdown. "It's my honor to bring Dr. Michael Moradshahi as my guest to the State of the … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
Cortez Masto Commemorates Black History Month
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement commemorating Black History Month, which spans the month of February. "African-American history and heritage are woven into the fabric of the Silver State. From the first black settlers of Virginia City to modern-day heroes like labor activist Hattie Canty and former state Senator Joe Neal, African-Americans have left an indelible mark on Nevada's politics, economy and culture. As we celebrate … Continue Reading
