Press Releases
Cortez Masto, Senators Urge OPM to Provide Federal Worker Back Pay as Soon as Possible
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Chris Van Hollen in urging the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to provide back pay for federal workers impacted by the Trump shutdown as soon as possible. "More than 800,000 federal workers have gone without pay because the government shutdown locked them out of their jobs or required them to work without pay. These workers need to know now when they will finally receive their missed paychecks…We ask … Continue Reading
January 28, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Combat Rising Prescription Costs for Taxpayers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored The Right Rebate Act, legislation to protect American taxpayers from drug companies overcharging Medicaid for prescription drugs. This legislation, introduced by Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), closes a Medicaid loophole that has permitted pharmaceutical manufacturers to misclassify their drugs, allowing them to grossly overcharge Medicaid for life-saving medicines. The legislation also … Continue Reading
January 28, 2019
Cortez Masto, Murkowski Reintroduce Savanna’s Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) to reintroduce Savanna's Act. This legislation combats the epidemic of murdered and missing Native women and girls by improving the federal government's response to addressing the crisis. The bill increases coordination among all levels of law enforcement, improves data collection and information sharing, and empowers tribal governments with the resources they need in cases involving … Continue Reading
January 25, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Prohibit Trump Administration from Including Citizenship Question in 2020 Census
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Every Person Counts Act of 2019, led by Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), to combat the Trump Administration's efforts to include a question on citizenship in the 2020 U.S. Census. This legislation would explicitly prohibit the Census Bureau from asking questions about citizenship or immigration status. "The Trump Administration's effort to add a political question on citizenship to the 2020 Census is nothing more than … Continue Reading
January 25, 2019
Cortez Masto Statement on Bipartisan Agreement to End Shutdown
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after President Trump announced that he would support an agreement to end the partial government shutdown. "Congress must act immediately to end this senseless shutdown and ensure federal workers in Nevada and across the country receive their paychecks as quickly as possible. Once the government is reopened, the Senate can hold a debate on the most effective way to secure our borders. I stand … Continue Reading
January 25, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Ensure Backpay for Low-Wage Federal Contractors
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and 26 other Democratic Senators in introducing the Fair Compensation for Low-Wage Contractor Employees Act, which would provide backpay for federal contractor and subcontractor employees who are working through or have been laid off during the government shutdown. "Thousands of federal contractor and subcontractors across the country are currently furloughed or being forced to work without … Continue Reading
January 24, 2019
Cortez Masto: President Trump Offers False Choice Between Border Wall & Ending Shutdown
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to keep the government shutdown going. "Today, Senate Democrats offered a proposal to reopen the government and provide relief to federal employees in Nevada, and throughout the country, who've been furloughed or forced to work without pay for weeks. This bill received unanimous support in the Senate just one month ago. By voting down this bipartisan measure, Senate … Continue Reading
January 24, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act, legislation introduced by Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) to allow federal employees with Thrift Savings Plans (TSP) to withdraw funds from their TSP retirement savings and investment plan during a government shutdown without penalty. "Nevada is home to over 3,400 federal workers who currently aren't receiving a paycheck and are wondering how they'll be able to pay bills and put … Continue Reading
January 23, 2019
Cortez Masto, Rosen Call on DHS and DOT to Outline Strategies for Airport Security Given TSA Shortages During Government Shutdown
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao requesting an immediate response from the Trump administration concerning the dire impacts of the government shutdown on aviation operations. On January 10th, thirty-four groups representing the aviation and travel industries wrote a letter to the President and Congress … Continue Reading
January 22, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Protect Dreamers’ Private Data
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored legislation introduced by Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) to safeguard the private data of young immigrants enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act of 2019 would protect the confidentiality of information such as addresses and telephone numbers submitted as part of an application for deferred action to ensure applicants are not unfairly targeted … Continue Reading
January 22, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Fund CDC Research on Gun Violence
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored legislation introduced by Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) to address gun violence as a public health issue. The bill designates $10 million in funding each year at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct or support research on firearms safety or gun violence prevention. "Understanding the nature of gun violence as well as the most effective methods to reduce gun injuries and deaths is essential to … Continue Reading
January 18, 2019
Cortez Masto Celebrates Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which falls on Monday, January 21st. "As we honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, let us reflect on the true spirit of his work. Dr. King preached the power of love to drive out hate, but he understood that loving America meant demanding that she live up to the principles upon which she was founded. He stood up to injustice in all its forms and challenged … Continue Reading
January 16, 2019
Cortez Masto Calls on McConnell to Bring Up House-Passed Legislation to Reopen Government
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today called on Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to bring House-passed legislation to reopen shuttered government agencies up for a vote. In a speech on the Senate floor, Senator Cortez Masto shared the stories of two Nevada constituents affected by the Trump shutdown. Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery. Senator Cortez Masto's remarks are available in both AUDIO AND VIDEO FORMAT. You may download video of the … Continue Reading
January 15, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Resolution to Defend the Affordable Care Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined a resolution led by Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) that would authorize Senate Legal Counsel to intervene in the Texas v. United States lawsuit and defend the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), on behalf of the U.S. Senate. "When I talk to Nevadans across the state, the number one issue I hear about is health care. Nearly 150,000 insured Nevadans would lose coverage as a result of the most recent … Continue Reading
January 14, 2019
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Ensure Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Receive Pay During Shutdown
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Pay Our Coast Guard Act, bipartisan legislation led by Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) to ensure continued funding for the U.S. Coast Guard during this and future government shutdowns. The legislation would pay Coast Guard members, including reservists, civilian employees and contractors in the case of a lapse in government funding. "Nevada is home to hundreds of Coast Guard active duty servicemembers, military … Continue Reading
January 14, 2019
Cortez Masto: Trump Shutdown Threatens Wildfire Preparedness
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined a letter led by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) sounding the alarm about the growing impact of the government shutdown on wildfire preparedness. Typically, federal agencies use the winter months to hire and train firefighters in advance of the upcoming fire season, and to perform fire prevention work-like tree removal and controlled burns-that are more difficult or dangerous to carry out during active fire seasons. Training … Continue Reading
January 14, 2019
Cortez Masto Introduces Bill to Address Rising Costs of Prescription Drugs, Allow Medicare to Negotiate Drug Prices
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced the Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act, which would allow the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to negotiate drug prices under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. "Skyrocketing prescription drug costs are restricting Nevada's seniors from accessing and affording their medicine. This legislation allows the largest purchaser of prescription medications, … Continue Reading
January 11, 2019
Cortez Masto Meets with Federal Workers Impacted by Trump Shutdown
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) hosted a roundtable with 25 furloughed federal workers in the State of Nevada to hear their stories about how the Trump shutdown is impacting them and their families after federal workers faced their first pay period without a paycheck. The Senator also held a press availability with some of those impacted workers following the roundtable. Senator Cortez Masto spoke with employees of the United States Coast Guard, Bureau of … Continue Reading
January 10, 2019
Cortez Masto Statement on Passage of Government Employee Fair Treatment Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Senate passed the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, legislation guaranteeing back pay for federal workers impacted by the Trump shutdown. "Federal workers did not sign up to be pawns in the President's political game. They signed up to serve the American people, and they deserve the security of a steady paycheck. I was proud to cosponsor this bill to ensure federal workers aren't … Continue Reading
January 10, 2019
Cortez Masto Calls on President Trump to End Shutdown
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today called on President Trump to reopen shuttered government agencies and reinstate 800,000 furloughed federal workers, over 3,000 of which are Nevadans wondering when they'll receive their next paycheck. In a speech on the Senate floor, the senator also highlighted the impact of the Trump shutdown on federal workers and families in Nevada. Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery. Senator Cortez Masto's remarks are … Continue Reading
