Catherine Cortez Masto
- Known for
- Nevada Senator, Nevada Attorney General
- Born in
- Las Vegas, USA
- Education
- Juris Doctor, Gonzaga University School of Law
Catherine Cortez Masto is the senior U.S. Senator from Nevada and the first Latina elected to the chamber. A Democrat with a background as a former state Attorney General, she is known for her moderate yet reliably Democratic voting record in Washington.
Her career highlights include narrowly winning historic Senate seats in 2016 and 2022, establishing her as a crucial swing vote in closely divided Congresses.
Signature Positions
Cortez Masto consistently aligns with the Democratic party line, voting with President Biden over 96% of the time, while also focusing on key Nevada issues:
- Gun Control: Supports measures like banning bump stocks and restricting access for individuals on terror watchlists, earning an 'F' from the NRA.
- Climate and Energy: Recognizes human-caused climate change and advocates for expanding solar power while firmly opposing the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository.
- Reproductive Rights: Strongly supports legalized abortion and opposes allowing companies to deny birth control coverage based on religious beliefs.
- Immigration: Supports pathways for DACA recipients regarding home ownership and has opposed ICE enforcement actions following controversial incidents.
Notable Tensions
Her record contains notable tensions, particularly regarding judicial appointments and past enforcement actions:
- Judicial Appointments: Voted against confirming Emil Bove after blocking the nomination of Adeel Mangi, a decision that shifted the Third Circuit's ideological balance to a conservative majority.
- Attorney General Controversy: Faced accusations of politicizing her office during an investigation into Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki while her husband hosted a fundraiser for Krolicki's Democratic opponent.
- Immigration Enforcement: Despite voting for DHS funding previously, she opposed a funding bill after specific ICE actions in Minnesota were deemed "brutalizing U.S. citizens".
As Nevada's senior Senator, Cortez Masto carries the legacy of her predecessor, Harry Reid, who endorsed her in her successful 2016 Senate bid. Her political style blends traditional Democratic support for social programs with a focus on pragmatic, bipartisan efforts, such as co-sponsoring the STATES Act for cannabis reform. She supports reforming the filibuster toward a talking filibuster model.