Catherine Cortez Masto

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Catherine Cortez Masto

| image = Catherine Cortez Masto portrait red.jpg

| caption = Official portrait, 2022

| alt = Cortez Masto smiling

| jr/sr1 = United States Senator

| state1 = Nevada

| alongside1 = Jacky Rosen

| term_start1 = January 3, 2017

| term_end1 =

| predecessor1 = Harry Reid

| successor1 =

| office2 = Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

| leader2 = Chuck Schumer

| term_start2 = January 3, 2019

| term_end2 = January 28, 2021

| predecessor2 = Chris Van Hollen

| successor2 = Gary Peters

| office3 = 32nd Attorney General of Nevada

| governor3 = Jim Gibbons
Brian Sandoval

| term_start3 = January 1, 2007

| term_end3 = January 5, 2015

| predecessor3 = George Chanos

| successor3 = Adam Laxalt

| birth_name = Catherine Marie Cortez

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|3|29}}

| birth_place = Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Democratic

| spouse = Paul Masto

| education = University of Nevada, Reno (BS)
Gonzaga University (JD)

| website = {{url|cortezmasto.senate.gov|Senate website}}

| signature = Signature of Catherine Cortez Masto.svg

|module = {{Listen

|pos = center

|embed = yes

|filename = Catherine Cortez Masto questions witnesses on Nuclear Waste disposal.ogg

|title = Cortez Masto's voice

|type = speech

|description = Cortez Masto questions witnesses on nuclear waste disposal
Recorded December 1, 2022}}

}}

Catherine Marie Cortez Masto (born March 29, 1964) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the senior United States senator from Nevada, a seat she has held since 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, Cortez Masto served as the 32nd attorney general of Nevada from 2007 to 2015.

Cortez Masto graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno and Gonzaga University School of Law. She worked four years as a civil attorney in Las Vegas and two years as a criminal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C. before being elected Nevada attorney general in 2006, replacing George Chanos. Reelected in 2010, she was not eligible to run for a third term in 2014 because of lifetime term limits established by the Constitution of Nevada.

Cortez Masto narrowly defeated Republican Joe Heck in the 2016 United States Senate election in Nevada to replace outgoing Democratic senator Harry Reid, becoming the first woman elected to represent Nevada in the Senate and the first Latina elected to serve in the upper chamber.{{cite web | url=https://www.politico.com/2016-election/results/map/senate/nevada/ | title=2016 Nevada Senate Election Results | work=Politico | access-date=November 8, 2016}} She took office on January 3, 2017, and became Nevada's senior senator in January 2019, when Dean Heller left the Senate following his defeat. She was narrowly reelected in 2022, defeating Republican nominee Adam Laxalt.{{Cite web |title=Cortez Masto defeats Laxalt in Nevada, handing Democrats control of the Senate |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2022-election/cortez-masto-defeats-laxalt-nevada-handing-democrats-control-s-rcna54936 |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=NBC News|first=Natasha|last=Korecki|date=November 13, 2022|language=en}}

Early life and education

Cortez Masto was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, the daughter of Joanna (née Musso) and Manny Cortez.[http://www.lvhsaa.com/CORTEZ,%20MANNY%20-%20BIO.pdf Las Vegas High School Alumni Association: "MANUEL J. CORTEZ (Class of 1956)"] retrieved February 15, 2016. Her father, an attorney, was the longtime head of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and served as a member of the Clark County Commission.{{cite news|title=Former Las Vegas convention chief Cortez dies at 67|url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/2006/jun/19/former-las-vegas-convention-chief-cortez-dies-at-6/|access-date=July 26, 2016|publisher=Las Vegas Sun|date=June 19, 2006}} Now deceased, Manny Cortez had a long-standing friendship with Harry Reid. Her father was of Mexican descent, and her mother is of Italian ancestry.{{cite web |url=http://catherinecortezmasto.com/post/141037401209/catherine-cortez-masto-launches-spanish-language |title=Catherine Cortez Masto for Senate — Catherine Cortez Masto Launches Spanish-Language |publisher=Catherinecortezmasto.com |date=2016-03-14 |access-date=2017-05-01 |archive-date=October 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026164154/http://catherinecortezmasto.com/post/141037401209/catherine-cortez-masto-launches-spanish-language |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|last= Trout |first=Keith |title=Senate candidate attends Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner |publisher=Reno Gazette Journal|date=August 14, 2015 |url=https://www.rgj.com/story/news/local/mason-valley/2015/08/14/senate-candidate-attends-jefferson-jackson-day-dinner/31718871/ |access-date=September 19, 2020|quote=A Las Vegas native and University of Nevada, Reno graduate, Cortez Masto said she is half-Mexican and half-Sicilian and represents the American dream, noting she was the first in her family to attend college}} Her paternal grandfather, Eduardo Cortez, immigrated to Nevada from Chihuahua, Mexico.{{cite news|title=Cortez Masto seizes on 'hispandering' attack|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/catherine-cortez-masto-joe-heck-hispandering-228592|access-date=October 13, 2016|work=Politico|date=September 23, 2016|author=Everett, Burgess}}{{cite news|title=Nevada Republican Senate hopeful Joe Heck launches first TV ad of general election campaign|author=Snyder, Riley|url=http://www.ktnv.com/news/political/nevada-republican-senate-hopeful-joe-heck-launches-first-tv-ad-of-general-election-campaign|access-date=October 13, 2016|publisher=KTNV|date=September 23, 2016}}{{cite news|title=Manuel Cortez-Obituary|url=https://obituaries.reviewjournal.com/obituary/manuel-cortez-1082001938|access-date=August 4, 2021|publisher=Review Journal Obituaries|date=September 23, 2016}}

Cortez Masto attended Ed W. Clark High School,{{cite tweet|last=Kimmel|first=Jimmy|user=jimmykimmel |number=1588520206569127936 |date=November 4, 2022|title=Nevada, seriously…. |access-date=November 4, 2022}} and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1986 and a Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1990.{{cite news|title=Alumni Profile: Catherine Cortez Masto|url=https://www.law.gonzaga.edu/blog/alumni-cortez-masto/|access-date=February 5, 2016|publisher=Gonzaga School of Law|date=March 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206051420/https://www.law.gonzaga.edu/blog/alumni-cortez-masto/|archive-date=February 6, 2016|url-status=dead}}

Early career

Cortez Masto was admitted to the State Bar of Nevada in 1990, the U.S. District Court, the District of Nevada in 1991, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in 1994. Her career includes four years as a civil attorney in Las Vegas and two as a criminal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C. She also served as former Nevada Governor Bob Miller's chief of staff.{{cite news|last1=Drusch|first1=Andrea|title=Meet the Woman Harry Reid Wants to Replace Him in the Senate|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/2015/03/27/Meet-Woman-Harry-Reid-Wants-Replace-Him-Senate|access-date=February 5, 2016|work=National Journal|date=March 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114135826/http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/2015/03/27/meet-woman-harry-reid-wants-replace-him-senate|archive-date=January 14, 2016|url-status=dead}}

In November 2003, Cortez Masto was named executive vice chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education. There was some controversy, because she was hired directly by the chancellor, not the university system's board of regents; the chancellor said the regents had recommended that he hire an assistant, and in December the board voted unanimously to approve her annual salary of $215,000.{{cite news|last1=McCabe|first1=Francis|title=Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto named to higher ed post|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/attorney-general-catherine-cortez-masto-named-higher-ed-post|access-date=February 5, 2016|work=Las Vegas Review Journal|date=November 25, 2014}}{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Bethany |date=December 16, 2014 |title=Regents approve Masto's $215,000 salary as executive vice chancellor |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/education/regents-approve-masto-s-215000-salary-executive-vice-chancellor |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |location=Las Vegas, NV |access-date=February 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204171906/http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/education/regents-approve-masto-s-215000-salary-executive-vice-chancellor |archive-date=February 4, 2017 |url-status=dead }}

= Nevada Attorney General =

File:Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Announces Mortgage Investigation Alliance.jpg in December 2011]]

Cortez Masto was the Democratic nominee for state attorney general in 2006 and defeated Republican nominee Don Chairez 59% to 36%, with 5% for "None of these".{{cite news |date=November 9, 2006 |title=State Results: Attorney General |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41903298/attorney_general_2006/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |location=Reno, NV |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}} She was reelected in 2010, defeating Republican Travis Barrick 52% to 36%, with 8% for Independent American candidate Joel F. Hansen and 4% for "None of these".{{cite news |date=November 9, 2006 |title=Results: Congress, Statewide Offices; Attorney General |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41903314/attorney_general_2010/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |location=Reno, NV |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In 2009, Cortez Masto's office launched an investigation into Brian Krolicki, then Nevada's Republican lieutenant governor. Krolicki faced felony charges related to allegations that he mishandled the Nevada College Savings Trust Fund when he was state treasurer. During the investigation, the Las Vegas Review-Journal discovered that Cortez Masto's husband, Paul, planned to host a fundraising party for Robert S. Randazzo, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, four days before the attorney general's office was scheduled to prosecute Krolicki. Cortez Masto said she was unaware of the fundraising party.{{cite news|last1=Vogel|first1=Ed|date=November 24, 2009|title=Krolicki case might take twist|work=Las Vegas Review Journal|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/krolicki-case-might-take-twist|access-date=February 5, 2018}} The charges against Krolicki were ultimately dismissed in Clark County District Court.{{cite news|last1=McCoy|first1=Cara|title=Charges dismissed against Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki|url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/07/charges-dismissed-against-lt-gov-brian-krolicki/|access-date=February 19, 2016|work=Las Vegas Sun|date=December 7, 2009}} The dismissal of charges against Krolicki was regarded as a political setback for Cortez Masto, who, according to the Las Vegas Sun, "opened herself to charges of politicizing her office and prosecutorial misconduct".{{cite news|last1=Coolican|first1=J. Patrick|title=Cortez Masto's shining star dims after Krolicki decision|url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/08/cortez-mastos-shining-star-dims/|access-date=February 19, 2016|work=Las Vegas Sun|date=December 8, 2009}}

In 2010, Cortez Masto's office began investigating Bank of America, accusing the company of raising interest rates on troubled borrowers. Her office sought to end Nevada's participation in a loan modification settlement in order to sue the bank over deceptive marketing and lending practices. Bank of America denied any wrongdoing.{{cite news|last=Morgenson|first=Gretchen|title=Nevada Says Bank Broke Mortgage Settlement|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/31/business/bank-of-america-accused-of-breaching-mortgage-accord.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 30, 2011|access-date=November 5, 2013}} The lawsuit was settled in 2012 for $750 million for lien reductions and short sales.{{cite news|last1=Rosenblatt|first1=Joel|title=Bank of America Settles With Nevada Attorney General Masto|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-02-09/bank-of-america-nevada-s-masto-reach-foreclosure-mortgage-settlement|access-date=February 5, 2016|work=Bloomberg Business|date=February 9, 2012}}

Cortez Masto defended the state of Nevada in the lawsuit Sevcik v. Sandoval. The suit challenged Nevada's denial of same-sex marriage, as prohibited by the state's constitution and statutory law. After initially defending the same-sex marriage ban,{{cite news|last1=Whaley|first1=Sean|title=Nevada legal brief defends state's same-sex marriage ban|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nevada-legal-brief-defends-state-s-same-sex-marriage-ban|access-date=February 5, 2016|work=Las Vegas Review Journal|date=January 22, 2014}} Cortez Masto and the state abandoned their defense in light of a ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.{{cite news|last1=Ford|first1=Zack|title=Nevada Abandons Its Defense Of Same-Sex Marriage Ban|url=http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2014/02/11/3275961/nevada-abandons-defense-sex-marriage-ban/|access-date=February 5, 2016|work=ThinkProgress|date=February 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510164256/http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2014/02/11/3275961/nevada-abandons-defense-sex-marriage-ban/|archive-date=May 10, 2016|url-status=dead}}

U.S. Senate

File:Catherine Cortez Masto being sworn-in as U.S. Senator by Vice President Joe Biden.jpg]]

File:Catherine Cortez Masto official portrait.jpg]]

File:Hassan and Cortez Masto 35144186454 32ad7dcc52 h.jpg speaking with Cortez Masto at a Senate committee hearing in June 2017]]

= Elections =

== 2016 ==

Cortez Masto declined to run for governor of Nevada in the 2014 election.{{cite web|last=Doughman|first=Andrew|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/sep/19/cortez-masto-im-not-running-governor/|title=Cortez Masto: I'm not running for governor|work=Las Vegas Sun|date=September 19, 2013|access-date=September 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055917/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/sep/19/cortez-masto-im-not-running-governor/|archive-date=September 21, 2013|url-status=dead}} When U.S. Senator Harry Reid decided not to run for reelection in the 2016 election, he endorsed her as his successor. Cortez Masto's campaign relied heavily on the political infrastructure Reid had assembled.{{cite news|last1=Kane|first1=Paul|title=Harry Reid, retiring but betting big on Nevada for Democratic Senate majority|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/harry-reid-retiring-but-betting-big-on-nevada-for-democratic-senate-majority/2015/11/17/ec79d74e-8980-11e5-9a07-453018f9a0ec_story.html|access-date=February 5, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=November 17, 2015}} Her Republican opponent was U.S. Representative Joe Heck.

Cortez Masto, who supports increased investments in renewable energy technology, was supported by the League of Conservation Voters.{{cite news|last1=Botkin|first1=Ben|title=Climate change becoming increasingly visible campaign issue in Nevada |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/politics/election-2016/climate-change-becoming-increasingly-visible-campaign-issue-nevada|access-date=October 4, 2016|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=September 25, 2016}} She was also financially supported by pro-choice groups, such as EMILY's List and Planned Parenthood, and by End Citizens United, a political action committee seeking to overturn Citizens United v. FEC.{{cite news|last1=Botkin|first1=Ben|title=Outside spending groups pump millions into political races in Nevada|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/politics/outside-spending-groups-pump-millions-political-races-nevada|access-date=October 4, 2016|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=October 2, 2016}}

Cortez Masto won 47% of the vote (520,658 votes) to Heck's 45% (494,427 votes). While Heck carried 16 of Nevada's counties and its equivalents, Cortez Masto won Clark County, home to over 70% of the state's population, by over 82,000 votes, over three times her statewide margin of 27,000 votes. She took office on January 3, 2017, becoming the first Latina in the U.S. Senate.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/09/us/politics/nevada-senate-catherine-cortez-masto.html|title=Catherine Cortez Masto Wins Nevada to Become First Latina Senator|last=Philipps|first=Dave|date=November 9, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 9, 2016}}

== 2022 ==

On February 24, 2021, Cortez Masto announced that she would run for reelection in 2022.{{cite news|url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/cortez-masto-launches-2022-re-election-bid|title=Cortez Masto launches 2022 re-election bid|publisher=The Nevada Independent|last=Sanchez|first=Humberto|date=February 24, 2021|accessdate=March 8, 2021}} Among her challengers was her successor as attorney general and 2018 nominee for governor Adam Laxalt.{{cite web|website=Fox News|title=Nevada Senate race: Laxalt launches Republican run in state that is a top GOP 2022 target|last=Steinhauser|first=Paul|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nevada-senate-race-adam-laxalt-launches-republican-campaign|date=August 17, 2021}} Cortez Masto trailed in many polls and was widely seen as the most vulnerable incumbent Democratic U.S. senator. But she narrowly defeated Laxalt, securing a second term.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/12/us/elections/senate-control.html|title=Democrats Hold the Senate, as Cortez Masto Ekes Out a Victory in Nevada|date=2022-11-12|access-date=2022-11-13|last=Weisman|first=Jonathan|work=The New York Times}}

=Tenure=

Cortez Masto was participating in the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count when Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. She was on the Senate floor, preparing to speak, when the Capitol was breached. Cortez Masto could hear the attackers just outside the chamber, which was secured by Capitol Police. As the attackers neared the chamber, she and her fellow senators were moved to an undisclosed secure location.{{cite news |last1=Charns |first1=David |title='They said, 'move, move, move,' Nevada's Cortez-Masto details Capitol riot |url=https://www.8newsnow.com/news/they-said-move-move-move-nevadas-cortez-masto-details-capitol-riot/ |access-date=January 14, 2021 |work=KLAS |date=January 8, 2021}} Cortez Masto tweeted while sheltering in place, calling the attack "un-American and unacceptable".{{cite news |last1=McGinness |first1=Brett |title=Pro-Trump rioters in U.S. Capitol: Where are Nevada's delegates? What we know now |url=https://www.rgj.com/story/news/2021/01/06/protesters-capitol-where-nevadas-delegates-what-we-know-now/6569028002/ |access-date=January 14, 2021 |work=Reno Gazette Journal |date=January 6, 2021}}

= [[119th United States Congress]] Committee assignments =

Source:{{Cite web |title=U.S. Senate: Committee Assignments of the 119th Congress |url=https://www.senate.gov/general/committee_assignments/assignments.htm#Cortez%20MastoNV |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=www.senate.gov}}

= Caucus memberships =

Congressional Hispanic Caucus{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://congressionalhispaniccaucus-lujangrisham.house.gov/members|publisher=Congressional Hispanic Caucus|access-date=May 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515183838/https://congressionalhispaniccaucus-lujangrisham.house.gov/members|archive-date=May 15, 2018|url-status=dead}}
Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues

Political positions

As of October 2022, Cortez Masto has voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 92.9% of the time.{{cite web |last1=Bycoffe |first1=Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron |title=Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/catherine-cortez-masto/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506161409/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/catherine-cortez-masto/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 6, 2021|website=FiveThirtyEight |access-date=26 October 2022 |language=en |date=2021-04-22}}

= Cannabis =

Cortez Masto cosponsored the bipartisan STATES Act proposed in the 115th U.S. Congress by senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Gardner that would exempt individuals or corporations in compliance with state cannabis laws from federal enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act.{{cite news|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/may/10/the-status-of-marijuana-lounges-banking-and-legisl/|title=The status of marijuana lounges, banking and legislation in Nevada|last=Sadler|first=John|date=2019-05-10|access-date=2022-11-09|quote=On a federal level, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., has co-sponsored legislation that would allow marijuana businesses in legal states to bank without fear of money laundering accusation. |work=Las Vegas Sun}}

= Environment =

Cortez Masto recognizes the existence of human-caused climate change and believes that the federal government should limit power plants' greenhouse gas emissions. She supports the growth of green jobs and increasing Nevada's reliance on solar power and other forms of clean energy. She opposes the use of Yucca Mountain as a nuclear waste repository.{{cite web|last1=Akers|first1=Mick|title=Cortez Masto, clean energy advocates cite concerns about EPA under Pruitt|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2017/feb/24/cortez-masto-clean-energy-advocates-wary-of-epa-un/|website=Las Vegas Sun|access-date=October 5, 2017|date=February 24, 2017}} Cortez Masto was a member of the Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis, which published a report of its findings in August 2020.{{Cite web |title=Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis {{!}} Senate Democratic Leadership |url=https://www.democrats.senate.gov/about-senate-dems/climate |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=www.democrats.senate.gov |language=en}}

= Filibuster =

Cortez Masto supports reforming the filibuster of the United States Senate into a talking filibuster.{{Cite news |title=Nevada Sen. Cortez Masto on why the filibuster rule should change |language=en |work=NPR.org |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/01/12/1072372538/nevada-sen-cortez-maston-on-why-ditching-the-filibuster-is-the-wrong-choice |access-date=2022-06-27}}{{Cite web |title=Cortez Masto Calls for Filibuster Reform {{!}} U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada |url=https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-calls-for-filibuster-reform |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=www.cortezmasto.senate.gov |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-03-09 |title=Nevada Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto Is Latest To Back Filibuster Reform |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/catherine-cortez-masto-filibuster_n_6047925ec5b653040034da7b |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}

= Foreign policy =

In October 2017, Cortez Masto condemned the genocide of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar and called for a stronger response to the crisis.{{cite news |title=Sen. Todd Young urges action to end Muslim genocide in Myanmar |url=https://eu.indystar.com/story/news/2017/10/20/sen-todd-young-urges-action-end-muslim-genocide-myanmar/784590001/ |work=IndyStar |author=Hussein, Fatima|date=October 22, 2017|access-date=March 5, 2019}}

In April 2019, Cortez Masto was one of 34 senators to sign a letter criticizing Donald Trump for cutting off foreign assistance to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/americas/437463-more-than-30-dem-sens-ask-trump-to-reconsider-cutting-foreign|title=More than 30 Senate Dems ask Trump to reconsider Central American aid cuts|first=Rachel|last=Frazin|date=April 4, 2019|work=The Hill}}

= Gun policy =

The NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) has given Cortez Masto an F grade because of her support for gun control.{{cite web |title=NRA-PVF {{!}} Grades {{!}} Nevada |url=https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/nevada/ |website=nrapvf.org |publisher=NRA-PVF |access-date=23 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102113335/https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/nevada/ |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |language=en-US |url-status=usurped}} During the 2016 election, the organization spent $1 million on an attack ad against her.{{cite news |author1=Kerry Eleveld |title=NRA gears up to drop $1 million-plus attacking Cortez Masto in Nevada |url=https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/9/27/1575117/-NRA-gears-up-to-drop-a-million-plus-attacking-Cortez-Masto-in-Nevada |access-date=23 August 2023 |work=Daily Kos |publisher=Kos Media |date=September 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930172312/https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/9/27/1575117/-NRA-gears-up-to-drop-a-million-plus-attacking-Cortez-Masto-in-Nevada |archive-date=September 30, 2016 |language=en-US}} Cortez Masto opposes allowing people on the terrorist watchlist to buy guns, saying that "makes no sense".{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Anthony|title=After massacre, Nevada's members of Congress are sending "thoughts and prayers."|url=https://mic.com/articles/184910/nevadas-members-of-congress-are-sending-thoughts-and-prayers-heres-where-they-stand-on-guns#.gcg4XUFa5|website=Mic|date=October 2, 2017 |access-date=October 5, 2017|language=en-US}}

In response to the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, she co-sponsored a bill with Dianne Feinstein to ban bump stocks. She said that it can be a start toward decreasing gun violence and mass shootings.{{cite web|title=Senator Catherine Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill On Gun Control and Releases Statement on Las Vegas Shooting|url=http://www.ktvn.com/story/36524490/senator-catherine-cortez-masto-cosponsors-bill-on-gun-control-and-releases-statement-on-las-vegas-shooting|website=2 News|date=October 4, 2017 |access-date=October 5, 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005042121/http://www.ktvn.com/story/36524490/senator-catherine-cortez-masto-cosponsors-bill-on-gun-control-and-releases-statement-on-las-vegas-shooting|archive-date=October 5, 2017|url-status=live}}

= Health care =

Cortez Masto does not support the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare). She does support improving upon the act, which she has called "imperfect". She has co-sponsored the Marketplace Certainty Act to bring more stability to the health insurance marketplace.{{cite web|last1=Gonzalez|first1=Yvonne|title=Cortez Masto highlights dangers of Obamacare repeal|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2017/jul/07/cortez-masto-highlights-dangers-of-obamacare-repea/|website=Las Vegas Sun|access-date=October 5, 2017|date=July 7, 2017}}

= Housing =

In April 2019, Cortez Masto was one of 41 senators to sign a bipartisan letter to the housing subcommittee asking for increased funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 4 Capacity Building.{{cite news|url=https://www.ktvz.com/news/wyden-merkley-urge-more-affordable-housing-funds/1069680950|title=Wyden, Merkley urge more affordable housing funds|date=April 16, 2019|publisher=ktvz.com|access-date=April 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418125917/https://www.ktvz.com/news/wyden-merkley-urge-more-affordable-housing-funds/1069680950|archive-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=dead}}

= Immigration =

In April 2018, Cortez Masto was one of five senators to send a letter to acting director of ICE Thomas Homan about the standards the agency uses to determine how to detain pregnant women.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/381895-democrats-question-ice-standards-for-detaining-pregnant-women|title=Democrats question ICE standards for detaining pregnant women|date=April 5, 2018|work=The Hill|author=Bowden, John|access-date=September 19, 2020}}

In June 2019, following the Housing and Urban Development Department's confirmation that DACA recipients did not meet eligibility for federal backed loans, Cortez Masto and 11 other senators introduced the Home Ownership Dreamers Act, legislation that mandated that the federal government was not authorized to deny mortgage loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or the Agriculture Department solely due to applicants' immigration status.{{cite news|url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2019/06/21/bob-menendez-cory-booker-bill-home-loans-daca-holders/1513659001/|title=Bob Menendez, Cory Booker and others introduce bill to protect home loans for DACA holders|date=June 21, 2019|work=northjersey.com|author=Alvarado, Monsy|access-date=September 19, 2020}}

In July 2019, Cortez Masto and 15 other Senate Democrats introduced the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which mandated that ICE agents get approval from a supervisor ahead of engaging in enforcement actions at sensitive locations, except in special circumstances, and that agents receive annual training in addition to being required to report annually on enforcement actions in those locations.{{cite news|url=https://www.10news.com/news/bill-would-block-immigration-raids-at-schools-courthouses|title=Bill would block immigration raids at schools, courthouses|date=July 11, 2019|first=Zac|last=Self|publisher=10news.com}}

In 2025, Cortez Masto was one of 12 Senate Democrats who joined all Republicans to vote for the Laken Riley Act.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5095996-senate-passes-laken-riley-act/|title=Senate passes Laken Riley Act in first move after Trump inauguration|work=The Hill|first=Al|last=Weaver|date=January 20, 2025|accessdate=January 20, 2025}}

= LGBT rights =

Cortez Masto supports same-sex marriage.

= Reproductive rights =

Cortez Masto supports legalized abortion.{{cite web|title=Joe Heck vs. Catherine Cortez Masto: Nonpartisan Candidate Guide For 2016 Nevada Senate Race|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/joe-heck-vs-catherine-cortez-masto-nonpartisan-candidate_us_57f55bc5e4b087a29a548547|website=Huffington Post|access-date=October 5, 2017|date=October 11, 2016}} In the 2016 election, she was endorsed by Planned Parenthood and funded by their action fund.{{cite web|last1=Messerly|first1=Megan|title=Cortez Masto ad goes after Heck on abortion stance|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2016/aug/10/cortez-masto-ad-goes-after-heck-on-abortion-stance/|website=Las Vegas Sun|access-date=October 5, 2017|date=August 10, 2016}}

She does not believe that companies should be allowed to withhold coverage for birth control based on religious beliefs.

= Puerto Rico =

In July 2024, Cortez Masto began working with a committee to plan to sponsor legislation granting Puerto Rico a self-determination referendum with federal repeal.{{cite web|last1=Acevedo Irizarry|first1=Marielys|title=Senadora demócrata Catherine Cortez Masto reprogramará audiencia en subcomité para plebiscito de estatus en Puerto Rico|url=https://eldiariony.com/2024/07/09/senadora-federal-catherine-cortez-masto-trabaja-para-reprogramar-audiencia-en-subcomite-sobre-estatus-de-puerto-rico/|website=El Diario|access-date=July 15, 2024|date=July 9, 2024}}

Personal life

Cortez Masto lives in Las Vegas with her husband, Paul Masto, a retired United States Secret Service special agent.{{cite web|url=https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/about|title=About Catherine|access-date=November 22, 2021}} She is Roman Catholic.{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S0ZnDwAAQBAJ&q=%22catherine+cortez-masto%22+catholic&pg=PT305 | title=Religion and Politics in America: Faith, Culture, and Strategic Choices| isbn=978-0-429-94735-3| last1=Hertzke| first1=Allen D.| last2=Olson| first2=Laura R.| last3=Den Dulk| first3=Kevin R.| last4=Fowler| first4=Robert Booth| date=August 6, 2018| publisher=Routledge}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/it-s-about-time-catherine-cortez-masto-1st-latina-u-n702691|title='It's About Time': 1st Latina Senator, 7 new Latinos sworn in House|website=NBC News|date=January 4, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2017/11/30/catholics-and-americans-we-cant-sit-while-our-country-destroys-planet|title=As Catholics and Americans, we can't sit by while our country destroys the planet|date=November 30, 2017|website=America Magazine}}

Electoral history

{{Election box begin | title=2010 Attorney General election in Nevada{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2010/results/nevada.html | title= Nevada Election 2010 | work=New York Times | date=November 2, 2010 | access-date=February 22, 2022}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Catherine Cortez Masto

| votes = 372,010

| percentage = 52.8%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Travis Barrick|votes=251,269|percentage=35.7%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=n/a|candidate=None of these Candidates|votes=26,072|percentage=3.7%|}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent|candidate=Joel Hansen|votes=54,980|percentage=7.8%|}}

{{Election box total

|votes =

|percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2016 United States Senate election in Nevada – Democratic primary

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Catherine Cortez Masto

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 81,944

| percentage = 81.0%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Allen Rheinhart

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 5,645

| percentage = 6.0%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = None of these candidates

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 5,498

| percentage = 5.0%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Liddo Susan O'Briant

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 4,834

| percentage = 5.0%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Bobby Mahendra

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 3,760

| percentage = 3.0%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 101,681

| percentage=100.0%

}}

{{Election box begin | title=2016 United States Senate election in Nevada{{cite web | url=https://www.nvsos.gov/silverstate2016gen/ | title=Silver State Election Night Results 2016 | publisher=Nevada Secretary of State | date=November 8, 2016 | access-date=December 20, 2016}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Catherine Cortez Masto

| votes = 521,994

| percentage = 47.10%

| change = −3.19%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Joe Heck

| votes = 495,079

| percentage = 44.67%

| change = +0.12%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = n/a

| candidate = None of these Candidates

| votes = 42,257

| percentage = 3.81%

| change = +1.56%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent American Party of Nevada

| candidate = Tom Jones

| votes = 17,128

| percentage = 1.55%

| change = +1.11%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent

| candidate = Thomas Sawyer

| votes = 14,208

| percentage = 1.28%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent

| candidate = Tony Gumina

| votes = 10,740

| percentage = 0.97%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent

| candidate = Jarrod Williams

| votes = 6,888

| percentage = 0.62%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box total

|votes = 1,108,294

|percentage = 100.0%

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin |title=2022 United States Senate election in Nevada{{cite web |title=Silver State 2022 – General Election Results – U.S. Senate |url=https://silverstateelection.nv.gov/USSenate/|website=Nevada Secretary of State}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = {{nowrap|Catherine Cortez Masto (incumbent)}}

|votes = 498,316

|percentage = 48.81%

|change = +1.71%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Adam Laxalt

|votes = 490,388

|percentage = 48.04%

|change = +3.37%

}}

{{Election box None of These Candidates with party link

|votes = 12,441

|percentage = 1.22%

|change = -2.59%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Independent

|candidate = Barry Lindemann

|votes = 8,075

|percentage = 0.79%

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Neil Scott

|votes = 6,422

|percentage = 0.63%

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Independent American Party of Nevada

|candidate = Barry Rubinson

|votes = 5,208

|percentage = 0.51%

|change = -1.04%

}}

{{Election box total

|votes = 1,020,850

|percentage = 100.0%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

References

External links

[https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/ Senator Catherine Cortez Masto] official U.S. Senate website
[https://catherinecortezmasto.com/ Catherine Cortez Masto for Senate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926224453/https://catherinecortezmasto.com/ |date=September 26, 2022 }} campaign website
{{C-SPAN|105698}}

{{ CongLinks | congbio = C001113 | fec = S6NV00200 | votesmart = 69579 | congress = catherine-cortez-masto/C001113 }}