U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after voting to pass bipartisan government funding legislation to provide critical support for hardworking families, veterans, and Tribes across Nevada. “I fought to ensure this package brings in critical funding for Nevada that supports our local law enforcement, protects our veterans’ benefits, and delivers urgently needed middle class housing for our state,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “The programs supported by this legislation help Nevada families, businesses, and Tribes every day, and I’m glad to see it headed to the President’s desk.” This bipartisan government funding package includes $147 million for 76 community projects across the state. It supports federal programs to protect veterans’ benefits, increase our middle class housing supply, invest in energy infrastructure and airline safety, and fund vital nutrition assistance for Nevada families. Cortez Masto secured increased funding for the Indian Community Development Block Grant program, which supports housing and infrastructure improvements on Tribal land, and she led efforts to improve Tribal access to transportation infrastructure programs. The bill includes millions for Senator Cortez Masto’s Visit America Act, which promotes the U.S. travel and tourism industry, and it will help implement her ACCESS Broadband Act, which ensures Nevadans have easier access to federal broadband programs. The package includes no new funding to restart the failed Yucca Mountain project. The legislation also funds vital programs Cortez Masto fought for to keep Nevada communities safe, including full funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program—the leading source of criminal justice funding for local police officers. The Violence Against Women Act the Senator helped reauthorize in 2022 is funded at the highest level ever to support victims of domestic violence. The bipartisan legislation protects Nevada water resources, including through funding to implement the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act the Senator has championed. The Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program Cortez Masto supported in the Inflation Reduction Act will receive full funding to help Tribal communities take advantage of new clean-energy opportunities. The bill also includes an extension of the pay increase for federal firefighters Cortez Masto fought to secure, and she’ll continue working to make this pay raise permanent.The Senator also delivered $5.5 million to help combat Mormon crickets in Nevada and across the West. This is the first of two expected packages to fund the entire federal government and avert a harmful government shutdown. The second bill is expected to pass in the coming weeks.
Rosen Stands Up for Nevada Ranchers & Cattlemen, Pushes to Block Harmful Biden Administration Effort
U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) is joining a bipartisan effort to stand up to the Biden Administration and block an effort to allow beef imports from Paraguay over concerns it would hurt Nevada’s ranchers and cattlemen. In November 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a rule allowing the importation of beef from Paraguay. Nevada ranchers and cattlemen oppose this effort over concerns that Paraguay has a history of foot and mouth disease, which infects cattle and is highly contagious. The bipartisan group of Senators have filed a Congressional Review Act resolution to block this rule and protect domestic producers. “Nevadans sent me to the U.S. Senate to be an independent voice for them and to always put our state first,” said Senator Rosen. “The Biden Administration’s ill-advised attempt to allow beef imports from Paraguay will hurt Nevada’s ranchers and cattlemen, and that’s why I’m proud to be part of a bipartisan effort to block this misguided effort.” “The importation of Paraguayan beef into the U.S. comes with numerous red flags including the potential risk of introducing Foot and Mouth Disease,” said Martin Paris, Executive Director of Nevada Cattlemen’s Association. “The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association greatly appreciates Senator Rosen’s efforts to uphold the highest of food safety standards and ensure the continued health of our domestic cattle herd.” “Nevada’s cattle sector is extremely important for our state, representing roughly 2/3rds of the total agricultural sales,” said Doug Busselman, Executive Vice President of the Nevada Farm Bureau. “It is extremely important to protect cattle health by preventing imports of very risky foreign sources.” Senator Rosen has been a strong advocate for Nevada’s ranchers and cattlemen. Last month, Rosen sent a bipartisan letter calling on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry to address long-term drought in the upcoming Farm Bill out of concern for its negative effects on farmers and ranchers in Nevada. Last year, she broke with the Biden Administration to block proposed regulations of U.S. waterways that would have hurt Nevada’s farmers and ranchers. Senator Rosen was also named a “Friend of the Farm Bureau” for being a consistent supporter of Nevada’s farming and ranching communities.
Congresswoman Lee Leads Nearly 100 Members of Congress in Unveiling New Framework for Bipartisan Immigration Reform
New Democrat Coalition Whip Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) joined fellow coalition leaders in unveiling their immigration reform framework to protect our border, create a path to citizenship, and strengthen our economy. The framework demonstrates New Dems’ commitment to finding a bipartisan solution to keep people safe, boost our economy, and preserve the American Dream. The New Democrat Coalition is comprised of nearly 100 center-left House Democrats committed to breaking through gridlock to deliver results for Americans. Congresswoman Lee has worked with the New Democrats to develop sound immigration and border security policies, and repeatedly called on Republicans to join Democrats in advancing these common sense, bipartisan solutions. “The only answer to our broken immigration system is a bipartisan solution. Now is the time for Congress to address a major issue that has been facing our economy and national security for far too long. Whether I’m talking to a big casino owner, a small business owner, a construction company, or a renewable energy company, the number one issue that gets brought to my attention is workforce,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “I believe many of my Republican colleagues want a bipartisan immigration solution, but when they had the chance to act, Republican leadership chose to kill the deal and exploit the border for political points. If we want to protect our border, support our economy, and provide a pathway to citizenship, then my Republican colleagues must come to the table and work with us who remain ready to get the job done.” You can find the framework here, and an abbreviated version below: Note on Bipartisanship This is a framework and a discussion. The best immigration solutions have bipartisan consensus.New Democrats are committed to lasting solutions to our nation’s problems and recognize such solutions are often the result of bipartisan efforts. There are areas to be flexible within this framework.Section I: Strengthen America’s Economic Competitiveness Eliminate the per-country cap for employment-based (EB) immigration visas and raise the family-sponsored per-country visa cap from 7 percent to 15 percent.Increase the number available EB visas to keep up with workforce demands.Section II: Build the Workforce Our Economy Needs Establish a pathway for migrant farmworkers in the United States to earn legal status and make commonsense reforms to the H-2A visa program.Permanently authorize the Conrad 30 waiver program, which allows physicians studying in the United States on a J-1 visa a pathway into the country upon graduation.Create a new temporary non-immigrant visa category for year-around work in industries experiencing occupation shortages.Section III: Secure Our Nation’s Border, Once and For All Fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at a sufficient level that ensures that Customs and Border Protection has no fewer than 22,000 full-time Border Patrol agents, increase the number of CBP officers at ports of entry by at least 500 to help halt the flow of illicit drugs such as fentanyl, increase CBP retention bonuses and raise the minimum pay rate of Border Patrol agents at or below the GS-12 pay scale level.Fund DHS at a sufficient level that ensures it can upgrade the technology used at the border including investment in radar surveillance systems, mobile remote video surveillance systems, manned and unmanned vehicles; drones; the CBP One app; and CBP’s internal communications systems and improve infrastructure at the border including investment to upgrade roads and other pathways; clear invasive species that impede sightlines, and—in strategic locations where necessary—upgrade physical barriers.Direct DHS to implement biometric monitoring at their ports of entry by 2030 in accordance with Congressional Mandate.Section IV: Embrace Those Who are a Part of the American Fabric: A Pathway to Citizenship for Dreamers and TPS Holders Grant Dreamers conditional permanent resident status if they sufficiently meet criteria, including passing security and law enforcement background checks; paying reasonable application fees; have received a high school diploma, GED, are in a program assisting them in obtaining a high school diploma or GED; or are working.Grant Dreamers lawful permanent resident status if they acquire a degree from an institution of higher education, or complete at least two years of a post-secondary level degree program while remaining in good standing; complete at least two years of military service or are honorably discharged; OR maintain continued employment for a minimum of three years, at least 75 percent of which the individual was authorized to work in the United States.Pursuant to current naturalization requirements, permit Dreamers to apply for U.S. citizenship upon maintaining permanent resident status for five years.Grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) Holders lawful permanent residence if they have been in the country over three years and pass security and law enforcement background checks.Section V: Provide A Path to Legal Status for Those Who Pass a Background Check and Pay a Fine Grant undocumented immigrants who arrived to the United States when they were over age 18 temporary legal status if they pay a fine, pass a criminal background check, have not been convicted of a felony offense in the United States or their country of origin, and are enrolled in school or work full time.At the end of five years, grant those individuals lawful permanent residence status if they continue to meet certain criteria.Section VI: Fully Enforce Our Nation’s Immigration Laws Initiate legal proceedings for undocumented immigrants that do not qualify for temporary legal status. Undocumented immigrants who committed a felony, and those who fail to earn legal status, must be held accountable.Modernize compliance tools to digitally ensure U.S. employers can determine the work eligibility of new hires, with assistance to small businesses and safe harbor for employers that attempt in good faith to comply.Provide judicial discretion for immigration judges to consider marital, veteran, and other ties to the United States and specific communities when deciding legal status cases.Section VII: Reform our Broken Asylum System and Safeguard it From Abuse Transition the nation’s immigration court system into an independent judiciary, consistent with Article I of the U.S. Constitution.Provide funding to hire additional immigration judges and staff support to address the significant
ALERT: **Licensing Renewal Email Scam**
The city of Las Vegas Business Licensing Division has been made aware of an email phishing scam targeting licensed businesses. It has been reported that individuals have received a fraudulent email claiming that their license has expired. The message then asks recipients to verify their information by Feb. 15, 2024, by clicking a link embedded in the email. Should you receive one of these messages, avoid clicking on any links and delete the email immediately. The city’s Innovation and Technology Department is aware of the scam, but does not have the capability to stop these fraudulent emails at their source. All official emails from the Business Licensing Division are sent either from an individual staff member (typically their first initial and last name@lasvegasnevada.gov, i.e. Zach Adams would be ZAdams@lasvegasnevada.gov), or if it is a system-generated email it will come from DoNotReply@lasvegasnevada.gov. Emails received from any other addresses claiming to be from the city of Las Vegas Business Licensing Division should be considered fraudulent and should be deleted. If you have received this email and have further questions or concerns, please contact us directly at 702.229.6281 or email us at license@lasvegasnevada.gov. For additional information on avoiding phishing scams aimed at your business, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s official website at https://www.ftc.gov/.
Congresswoman Lee Makes Laughlin, Vegas Wash Her Top Requests in Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act
Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) announced that funding for Laughlin’s water system and the Las Vegas Wash program were her top requests for the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. Congresswoman Lee made these requests, which also included prioritizing water supply and conservation projects under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment during a hearing yesterday on this traditionally biennial, bipartisan legislation. “No one knows better than a Nevadan just how precious our water resources are — particularly in Laughlin, where an aging and inadequate water system is creating a severe local crisis. That’s why securing water infrastructure investments across southern Nevada, including in Laughlin, is my top request for the bipartisan 2024 Water Resources Development Act,” said Colorado River Caucus Vice-Chair Susie Lee. “We also need to protect and enhance resources for the Las Vegas Wash. That’s why I’ve requested that my bill to expand and increase investments in the Las Vegas Wash be included in WRDA legislation. I will never stop fighting for federal resources and bipartisan solutions to tackle drought in Nevada.” Sitting at the southern tip of Nevada, Laughlin is struggling with water infrastructure no longer sufficient to meet its needs, especially in the event of an emergency. The town’s water treatment and delivery system is the only such system managed by the Las Vegas Valley Water District that lacks a secondary water source and lags in water storage capacity. To meet this crisis, which comes as southern Nevada continues to contend with the effects of the Western megadrought, Congresswoman Lee requested assistance to update Laughlin’s water system. This includes requesting assistance for the construction of a new groundwater well. Just last week, Lee met with local officials on the ground and heard more about their concerns. Congresswoman Lee’s second request was for her bill to expand and increase investments in the Las Vegas Wash. The legislation would raise the funding cap of the Las Vegas Wash program to reflect the critical role that this drainage channel plays for the Las Vegas Valley watershed. The Wash carries more than 200 million gallons of water to Lake Mead every day and allows southern Nevada to recycle nearly every drop of water it uses indoors. Raising the cap on the federally supported Las Vegas Wash program would help ensure that projects to protect and restore the channel receive necessary funding. Lee recently announced a $20 million investment in the Las Vegas Wash, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which she helped negotiate and pass. You can read more about WRDA here.
New coaching opportunity for USHCC businesses!
At the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Educational Fund, information and resource sharing is a core component of our work. We are happy to announce a new coaching opportunity for USHCC businesses: Curated Coaching for Entrepreneurs. This program aims to ensure businesses are supported and nurtured with key resources and opportunities for their success. Join the Curated Coaching for Entrepreneurs program offered by Chase for Business. With the Curated Coaching for Entrepreneurs program, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with an expert entrepreneurial coach on your schedule and develop a long-term plan around your business’s needs. Walk away with: The program’s current session, Understanding Options for Business Funding, will help you determine if it’s the right time to seek outside capital, explore different funding options and show you how to prepare. LEARN MORE To sign up and get additional educational resources for your business, visit chase.com/coaching. And be sure to share this opportunity with others in your network by forwarding this email today!
Changes adopted for our animal shelter
Dear Friend, Today’s votes on the Animal Shelter in Las Vegas will be the first step toward finding a long-term solution that serves the needs of animals and our residents. I want to thank Darcy Spears of Channel 13 and all the animal advocates who brought the issues at the Animal Foundation to my attention over two years ago and worked with me to shine a light on the need for change. There are too many advocates in the animal community to thank, but I’d like to mention Bryce Henderson and Gina Greisen for their tireless work. I want to thank our City Manager Mike Janssen, Deputy City Manager Tim Hacker, Director of Finance Susan Heltsley, and Deputy City Attorney Dimitri Dalacas for their outstanding effort in working with their counterparts at the County, the city of North Las Vegas, and The Animal Foundation on a contract modification that not only gives us greater oversight and accountability but allows us to control our destiny when the contract expires. I also want to thank the Mayor and all the council members for their support. And finally, I want to thank my staff, who spent the last two years taking calls from residents and rescues looking for help at all hours of the day. More work is ahead, but we are moving on the right track to deliver a shelter that will better serve our residents and animals. My office is always here to help and update you on Ward 2 and City of Las Vegas topics. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact my office (702) at 229-2420 or Ward2@lasvegasnevada.gov. Victoria SeamanCouncilwoman, Ward 2
NEW: AFTER CORTEZ MASTO’S URGING, ADMIN NEGOTIATES PAUSE ON RETALIATORY TARIFFS ON WHISKEY AND SPIRITS
Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the Biden administration for heeding her call to protect the millions of U.S. jobs that rely on American whiskey and spirits producers. Earlier this month, Cortez Masto led a bipartisan group of Senators urging the administration to take urgent action in response to the European Union (EU)’s to implement a 50% tariff on American whiskey imports on January 1, 2024, and today the EU announced they would pause these retaliatory tariffs for 15 months in response to U.S. pressure. “There are more than 19,000 Nevadans whose jobs depend on the American spirits industry, and I’m pleased to see the Administration taking action to protect them from these harsh new tariffs on our exports,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I will continue to advocate to protect this vital industry, which helps drive our economy in Nevada and across the country.” Retaliatory tariffs by the EU have cost domestic sprits distillers and winemakers billions of dollars since 2018, and the U.S. needs a permanent solution to safeguard over 1.7 million production, distribution, and hospitality jobs that rely on the industry. The spirits industry supports over 19,000 jobs and over $1.6 billion in economic activity in the state of Nevada alone. The senators’ bipartisan letter urges U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to negotiate a deal to permanently remove retaliatory tariffs on all American-made sprits and wines.
Rosen Secures $3 Billion for Historic High-Speed Rail in Las Vegas
Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced that, after months of pushing the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Biden Administration, she secured $3 billion to begin construction of the Brightline West high-speed rail system in Las Vegas. This funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Senator Rosen played a leading role to write and pass. This project will connect Las Vegas and Southern California, which will help bolster Southern Nevada’s tourism economy and reduce congestion on the Interstate-15 corridor. Brightline West estimates it will remove 3 million cars from I-15 annually, reducing more than 400,000 tons of carbon emissions each year, and creating 35,000 good-paying, union jobs. For months, Senator Rosen led the efforts in Congress to make this project a reality. Earlier this year, Senator Rosen sent a letter urging the U.S. Department of Transportation to stand ready to receive the Nevada Department of Transportation’s application for funding to build Brightline West. After this application was submitted, she led a bipartisan group of colleagues in voicing their strong support of the project. In August, she led a press conference in Las Vegas with Brightline CEO Michael Reininger, Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft, Nevada Department of Transportation Director Tracy Larkin Thomason, President and CEO of the Vegas Chamber Mary Beth Sewald, and President of the Transportation Trades Department for the AFL-CIO Greg Regan to call on DOT to approve the application to build Brightline West and provide the funding. In March, she applauded the news that the Southern Nevada Building Trades had reached an agreement with Brightline to ensure this high-speed rail system would be constructed with union labor. Throughout the process, Senator Rosen has been in regular contact with Administration officials and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, urging them to approve this funding for the Brightline West project. “This historic high-speed rail project will be a game changer for Nevada’s tourism economy and transportation. It’ll bring more visitors to our state, reduce traffic on the I-15, create thousands of good paying jobs, and decrease carbon emissions, all while relying on local union labor,” said Senator Rosen. “For decades, Nevadans have heard about the benefits of high-speed rail, and I’m proud to have led the charge for months to push the U.S. Department of Transportation to secure critical funding to make this a reality. I’ll always fight to support Nevada’s tourism economy and create good-paying, union jobs.” Senator Rosen, chair of the Senate subcommittee overseeing tourism, has been a champion for Nevada’s travel and tourism economy. Earlier this year, she hosted a field hearing in Las Vegas that examined ways to attract large sporting and entertainment events to the U.S., with a focus on Las Vegas’ experience, and the impacts that sporting and live entertainment events have on the local economy. Last year, Senator Rosen passed the bipartisan Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act to boost the travel and tourism industry.
