They spend so much time with our children guiding them and shaping them into better people. And we don’t give them enough credit. So last week, we took the moment to honor and celebrate the hard work and dedication of four outstanding Latino teachers in our community: Mrs. Perla Apodaca, Mrs. Alicia Isabel Wong, Mrs. Carmen Theresa Villaverde, and Mr. Michael Dominguez. Thanks to our presenting sponsors Cox and SRP, we were able to surprise them in their classrooms and invite them to the PERA Club last Tuesday to celebrate their achievements with other members of the community. Thanks to your support, we awarded each teacher $5,000 and donated an additional $2,500 to their schools. This is just one small way we wanted to give back for all they do—and they do so much! When she received her award, Mrs. Perla Apodaca shared that beyond teaching long division or reading, her goal is to create a safe space where students feel comfortable enough to be themselves. A space that ultimately encourages confident learners, regardless of their current level of academic proficiency. Teachers—like Home Economics teacher Mrs. Carmen Theresa Villaverde or Mariachi and Marching Band Director Mr. Michael Dominguez—are devoted to their students, their wellbeing, and their success. They help their students gain valuable skills that they can transfer to college, a career, their own business, and their life. They are empowering students and helping them realize they have what it takes. At one point, Mrs. Alicia Isabel Wong said that if students leave her classroom speaking Spanish, she has done her job. But if they leave her classroom being kinder, more tolerant, and more respectful, then she has accomplished her goal. Our teachers are providing the support system our children need, which is especially important as we recover from COVID’s lasting effects on our children’s mental health. Teachers are showing our children how to be kinder, more tolerant people as our nation becomes increasingly divided. And Latino teachers are serving as role models to Latino youth. So these students see that there are other people who look like them, who speak like them, who think like them. Teachers who understand their cultural background and can help their students navigate the unique obstacles they face and learn to be proud of where they come from. Mrs. Apodaca, Mrs. Villaverde, Mr. Dominguez, and Mrs. Wong are our silent heroes. We invite you to learn more about them here.
Cortez Masto y sus colegas reintroducen legislación para brindar seguridad a los beneficiarios de TPS
Washington, D.C. – La senadora Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) se unió a los senadores Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.) y Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) para reintroducir el proyecto de ley de Ambiente Seguro de Países Bajo Represión y en Emergencia (SECURE por sus siglas en ingles), que permitiría a los beneficiarios calificados de TPS solicitar la residencia legal permanente. “Me he reunido con docenas de familias con TPS que han huido de desastres y están contribuyendo a nuestras comunidades en Nevada”, dijo la senadora Cortez Masto. “Mi legislación creará un camino hacia la residencia legal permanente para los beneficiarios de TPS y sus familias, y seguiré trabajando para fortalecer nuestra seguridad fronteriza y reparar nuestro sistema de inmigración roto”. Actualmente, hay aproximadamente 670,000 personas con TPS en los EE.UU., incluidos alrededor de 6,300 titulares de TPS en Nevada, donde forman roles importantes en nuestras economías locales y contribuyen con miles de millones de dólares cada año en impuestos. El TPS para El Salvador, Nicaragua, Nepal y Honduras está en peligro debido a las acciones de la administración Trump a las que la senadora Cortez Masto se opuso firmemente. Bajo este proyecto de ley, todos los beneficiarios de TPS que calificaron bajo la designación de TPS más reciente y que han estado continuamente presentes en los EE.UU. durante al menos tres años serían elegibles para solicitar la residencia permanente legal. Además, la legislación: Además de los senadores Cortez Masto, Van Hollen, Cardin y Feinstein, esta legislación es copatrocinada por los senadores Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Richard Blumenthal ( D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) , Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif .), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mark Warner ( D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) y Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). Esta legislación cuenta con el respaldo de la Unión Internacional de Trabajadores de América del Norte (LIUNA), CASA, United Workers Party, TPS Alliance y Working Families United. Puede encontrar el texto del proyecto de ley AQUÍ. La primera y única senadora latina, la senadora Cortez Masto ha apoyado consistentemente a las comunidades inmigrantes en Nevada, instando a la administración que tome medidas para proteger a los beneficiarios de TPS y otros inmigrantes, así como encabezar legislación sensata para arreglar nuestro sistema de inmigración que no funciona. Ha trabajado para aprobar una reforma migratoria significativa que equilibre las medidas críticas de seguridad fronteriza con un camino hacia la ciudadanía para los Dreamers, los beneficiarios de TPS y los trabajadores esenciales, y ha impulsado la legislación para permitir que los Dreamers y los beneficiarios de TPS trabajen en el Congreso.
Cortez Masto Leads Legislation to Increase Solar Manufacturing in the U.S.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) re-introduced the Reclaiming the Solar Supply Chain Act to expand the solar manufacturing supply chain in the U.S. and enhance our global competitiveness. This legislation also supports good-paying union jobs by requiring solar manufacturing facilities to have strong labor protections to be eligible for this funding. “Nevada’s solar economy is booming, and I’m pushing legislation to ensure we are manufacturing more solar panels and components in the U.S.,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Right now, the demand for solar is outpacing our domestic supply. My bill would make critical investments to grow that supply chain and create good-paying union jobs right here at home.” “The Chinese government will do anything to undermine American manufacturing, and would like nothing more than to kill the American solar manufacturing industry before it takes off,” said Senator Brown. “This investment, along with investments in the Inflation Reduction Act, allows us to fight back. When we support Ohio solar manufacturers, we help create the good-paying manufacturing jobs that will drive our economy for decades to come.” “Investing in Made in America solar manufacturing will create good paying jobs, move us toward a renewable energy future, and help provide low-cost clean energy for American families,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m proud to support this legislation because American manufacturers, businesses, and workers should be building our clean energy economy.” The Reclaiming the Solar Supply Chain Act would provide $3 billion in grants and loans over the next 5 years to fund the construction of new U.S. solar facilities, or to retool, retrofit, or expand existing solar manufacturing facilities. The legislation is supported by the Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) Center for Critical Minerals Strategy, Sierra Club, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE). Cortez Masto has led efforts to support the solar industry and the clean energy jobs it creates. She secured vital extensions of the investment tax credit and the residential renewable energy tax credit in 2020 to boost of solar energy and then expanded these tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act. She successfully pushed the Biden administration to suspend solar tariffs that could have hurt American jobs and increased solar project costs.
Cortez Masto Announces FCC’s New Broadband Funding Map She Created, Highlights Continued Push for Expanded Broadband Accessibility
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rolled out its new interactive Broadband Funding Map. Senator Cortez Masto worked with Republican Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) to create this tool in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and pushed the Administration to implement it to ensure that federal broadband funding is being distributed efficiently and is targeted to underserved areas that need it most, including rural areas in Nevada. “Since hearing from Nevadans in underserved areas about their challenges accessing broadband, I’ve made sure that Nevada is getting more resources to connect to the internet, and that federal funds are being spent effectively,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This tool helps build on my work to bring greater transparency to the programs intended to ensure every Nevadan has access to critical resources that internet connectivity provides.” This tool is part of Cortez Masto’s comprehensive push for government accountability and oversight of federal broadband resources. Just last week the Department of Commerce’s NTIA released a new dashboard and reports required as part of bipartisan legislation that Cortez Masto passed into law to foster the development and growth of broadband funding to rural communities. You can access the Broadband Funding Map HERE. As part of her Innovation State Initiative, Senator Cortez Masto has led in the Senate to improve broadband access and strengthen Nevada’s economy. Most recently, she advocated for accurate federal broadband access data to ensure Nevada gets the funding needed to connect all Nevadans, as well as helped secure more than $11 million for Nevada tribes, $27 million for Lovelock, NV and $7.3 million for Elko County residents. In 2020, she passed her bipartisan ACCESS BROADBAND Act to ensure Nevadans in underserved urban and rural communities have easier access to federal broadband programs through improved access and transparency of federal broadband.
Cortez Masto y Risch renuevan esfuerzo bipartidista para ayudar a proteger a las pequeñas empresas de los ataques cibernéticos
Washington, D.C. – Hoy, los senadores estadounidenses Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) y James Risch (R-Idaho) están renovando su esfuerzo bipartidista para ayudar a proteger a los pequeños negocios de costosas filtraciones de datos y ataques cibernéticos al presentar la legislación bipartidista de Pequeños Negocios Seguros. Específicamente, esta legislación sensata crearía una cooperativa en la Administración de Pequeñas Empresas (SBA) para ayudar a los pequeños negocios a acceder información sobre las mejores prácticas de protección de datos y poder comprar productos de ciberseguridad juntos a precios más bajos. “Después de escuchar directamente de las empresas de Nevada sobre sus preocupaciones de seguridad cibernética, estoy impulsando una legislación bipartidista para ayudarlos a acceder a los recursos que necesitan para continuar haciendo crecer sus negocios y mantener seguros los datos de sus clientes”, dijo la senadora Cortez Masto. “Seguiré trabajando con ambos partidos para combatir el aumento de amenazas cibernéticas como el ransomware y el phishing que enfrentan los pequeños negocios en todo el país”. “Los ataques cibernéticos van en aumento en todo el país y Idaho no es inmune. Desafortunadamente, muchas pequeñas empresas no pueden pagar el costoso equipo de seguridad cibernética necesario para mantener seguros sus datos y clientes”, dijo el senador Risch. “La Ley de Pequeños Negocios Seguros permitiría que estas empresas se unan para obtener acceso a los recursos de protección de datos y la tecnología de ciberseguridad asequible necesaria para protegerlos de los ataques cibernéticos”. En todo el país, los ataques cibernéticos de delincuentes y gobiernos extranjeros hostiles han aumentado drásticamente en los últimos años. Según un estudio reciente, el 61 % de las víctimas de filtración de datos son pequeñas empresas y la filtración le cuesta al propietario de una pequeña empresa entre $84 000 y $148 000. Esto hace que el 60% de los pequeños negocios que son víctimas cierren sus operaciones a los seis meses. Esta creciente amenaza impone serios costos a nuestra salud económica y seguridad nacional. El proyecto de ley bipartidista de Pequeños Negocios Seguros ayudaría a las empresas a tener acceso a los productos, servicios y seguros de ciberseguridad que necesitan para mantenerse seguros al: Esta legislación bipartidista cuenta con el respaldo de la Asociación para la Tecnología de Manufactura, CompTIA, la Fundación de Innovación y Tecnología de la Información, Main Street Alliance y Small Business Majority. Puede encontrar el texto de la legislación AQUÍ. La senadora Cortez Masto ha sido una firme defensora de las pequeñas empresas. Ha encabezado la legislación bipartidista para promover el desarrollo profesional en el espíritu empresarial de los estudiantes desatendidos, facilitar el crecimiento y la puesta en marcha de un negocio, y ayudar a los pequeños negocios cuyas operaciones se ven perjudicadas por el humo de los incendios forestales. El año pasado, la administración respondió a su llamado para extender el período de aplazamiento para que los pequeños negocios paguen los préstamos del programa de Préstamo por Daños Económicos por Desastre (EIDL), y ella ha encabezado la legislación para simplificar el programa EIDL y combatir el fraude.
Congresswoman Lee, Congressman Stewart Named as Vice-Chairs of the Bipartisan Colorado River Caucus
WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV) and Congressman Chris Stewart (R-UT) were named as Vice-Chairs of the bipartisan Colorado River Caucus by Co-Chairs Congressman Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ). The Caucus comprises a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers representing states along the Colorado River Basin, with members from Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The lawmakers will discuss the critical issues along the river and support the work of the Colorado River Basin states on how best to address the worsening levels of drought in the Colorado River Basin. “In southern Nevada, we are leading when it comes to water conservation and climate change resiliency, but this crisis is too urgent and wide-reaching to act alone,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “As the West continues to face the worst drought in twelve centuries, the future of the Colorado River System depends more than ever on the seven Basin states working together on joint solutions. I’m proud to serve as Vice-Chair of the new, bipartisan Colorado River Caucus alongside Congressman Stewart to demonstrate that we can cross state and party lines to collectively combat our water crisis.” “I’m proud to join this critical, bipartisan caucus that’s so dedicated to the Colorado River Basin,” said Congressman Chris Stewart. “Water is the lifeblood of the American West, and shortages are a problem that impact all of us. It’s no surprise that it will take all of us to create the healthy, sustainable communities that we all want for the West. The Colorado River Basin states are well underway with this collaborative process, and Congress needs to continue supporting those crucial negotiations.” “I am excited that Representatives Lee and Stewart will bring their much-needed perspectives to the Colorado River Caucus through their roles as Vice-Chairs,” said Congressman Joe Neguse. “Together, we will work with the Caucus towards our shared goal of alleviating the water crisis facing the Colorado River Basin in both the Upper and Lower Basin states.” “The Colorado Basin states face a set of unique challenges compared to the rest of the country and it’s crucial that we work together to find common-sense solutions,” said Congressman Juan Ciscomani, co-chair of the caucus. “When the Colorado River System thrives, so does Arizona. I am excited to have Representatives Susie Lee of Nevada and Chris Stewart of Utah join our growing coalition of lawmakers dedicated to uniting the region.” Additional caucus members include Representatives Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Yadira Caraveo (D-CO), Dina Titus (D-NV), Mark Amodei (R-NV), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM), and John Curtis (R-UT). A similar effort is being led in the U.S. Senate by Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper. The Colorado River provides water for over 40 million people in the West, spanning the 7 Colorado River Basin states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. The Western U.S. continues to experiencerecord-breaking drought conditions and water shortages, and Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the country’s two largest reservoirs, are at less than three-fourths of their average level.
Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Improve Community Safety and Banking Access for Legal Cannabis Businesses
Bipartisan legislation would ensure that legal cannabis businesses can access critical financial services, increase public safety Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cortez Masto joined U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.), as well as Representatives Dave Joyce (R-Ohio-14) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.-03), in cosponsoring the bipartisan, bicameral Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act to ensure that legal cannabis businesses have access to critical banking and financial services. “I’m fighting to ensure that legal cannabis businesses in Nevada can open bank accounts, accept credit cards or write checks to limit security risks and ensure regulatory certainty in the industry,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Our legislation will support Nevada businesses, boost our economy, and keep our communities safe from money laundering and other crimes.” Most state legal medicinal or recreational cannabis businesses are denied access to traditional and secure banking systems and financial services because banks fear they may be prosecuted under federal law given the ongoing federal restrictions on cannabis. Due to the lack of access to financial services, state legal cannabis businesses are forced to operate their businesses solely using cash, leaving communities vulnerable to criminal activity. To address the safety concerns resulting from these state-legal businesses being shut out of banking services, the SAFE Banking Act would prevent federal banking regulators from: The bipartisan the SAFE Banking Act would also create a safe harbor from criminal prosecution and liability and asset forfeiture for banks and their officers and employees who provide financial services to legitimate, state-sanctioned cannabis businesses, while maintaining banks’ right to choose not to offer those services. The bill also provides protections for hemp and hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) related businesses. This bipartisan legislation, for the first time, explicitly extends the safe harbor to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDI) to ensure they can also serve cannabis businesses. CDFI and MDI serve underserved communities who face challenges in accessing capital and provide affordable access to financial services. Additionally, it would require banks to comply with current Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) guidance, while at the same time allowing FinCEN guidance to be streamlined over time as states and the federal government adapt to legalized medicinal and recreational cannabis policies. In addition to U.S. Senators Cortez Masto, Merkley, and Daines, this legislation is cosponsored by Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Dan Sullivan (D-AK), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Angus King (I-Maine), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), John Tester (D-Mont.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). The bill text can be found HERE. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee and a former Attorney General, Senator Cortez Masto has been a strong advocate for protecting our financial systems and cracking down on financial crimes. She passed into law her bipartisan legislation to combat money laundering and terrorism through financial intelligence by bolstering the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to work with tribal law enforcement agencies, protect against domestic terrorism and focus on virtual currencies. She has also introduced legislation to incentivize whistleblowers to report consumer fraud.