There was no common thread in the missives sent by Nevada’s delegates this week.

Sen. Dean Heller lamented sluggishness with filling judicial vacancies. Rep. Jacky Rosen highlighted bills related to Hezbollah and Iran’s ballistic missile program. Rep. Ruben Kihuen visited a doughnut shop as part of a small-business tour. Rep. Dina Titus railed against the House GOP budget bill. Rep. Mark Amodei said nothing via news releases. And Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto advocated for more public comment on a bill related to the endangered sage grouse.

The eclectic nature of this week’s batch of news release offers a glimpse into a world Nevada residents don’t see — the many issues lawmakers juggle on a daily basis in the nation’s capital.

The summaries below provide a comprehensive look at what issues were weighing on Nevada’s politicians this week. As always, we kept the actual punctuation and capitalizations within the news release subject lines.

CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO

Number of press releases issued this week: 10

The details: Cortez Masto’s press releases touched on a wide range of issues, including the Senate’s 51-50 vote Tuesday to nullify a rule that bans banks from using forced arbitration clauses. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau imposed the rule in July as a way to allow consumers to bring class-action suits to solve financial disputes, instead of being forced into arbitration outside of the courts.

“Republicans are turning their backs on consumers and telling the Big Banks that they can bully Americans into seeking justice on the terms demanded by companies like Wells Fargo and Equifax, rather than seeking justice in the courts,” the senator wrote.

She also issued several statements about the Background Check Expansion Act, which she co-sponsored. The measure requires background checks for the sale or transfer of all firearms from one private party to another, even if they’re not federally licensed and are doing business online, at gun shows or out of their home.

And she decried a proposal to allow just 45 days for public comment on changes to conservation plans for the endangered sage grouse. She wants at least 45 more days for input.

“Westerners spent years working on state and federal plans to improve the management of public lands, to address the threat of wildland fire to sagebrush habitat, and to provide incentives for landowner and livestock producers to conserve sage grouse habitat,” Cortez Masto and other western senators wrote in a letter to the Interior Secretary. “Western governors continue to stress that a complete overhaul of the sage grouse conservation plans are not needed and have requested to be involved in any proposed changes.”

Press release subject lines:

• 10/24: Legislation Cosponsored by Cortez Masto to Reduce Rape Kit Backlog Passes Senate
• 10/24: Cortez Masto: Senate Republicans Sent Clear Message, It’s Ok to Deceive and Cheat Americans
• 10/25: ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** TODAY, WEDNESDAY, October 25th at 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT Cortez Masto, Murphy, Durbin, Blumenthal, and Advocates to Announce New Background Check Expansion Act
• 10/25: Cortez Masto Co-sponsors Legislation to Create Public Health Care Option
• 10/25: Cortez Masto, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Protect DACA Information
• 10/25: ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** HAPPENING NOW: Cortez Masto, Murphy, Durbin, Blumenthal, and Advocates to Announce New Background Check Expansion Act
• 10/25: Cortez Masto Cosponsors Background Check Expansion Act to Reduce Gun Violence
• 10/26: Cortez Masto, Flake Introduce Bipartisan Upward Mobility Enhancement Act
• 10/26: Cortez Masto Urges Congress to Re-Authorize CHIP
• 10/27: Cortez Masto, Western Senators Urge Extension of Greater Sage-grouse

DEAN HELLER

Number of press releases issued this week: 8

The details: Republican Sen. Dean Heller this week urged his colleagues to fill judicial vacancies in a speech from the Senate floor. A press release blamed the fact that only eight judges have been confirmed this year on “Democrat obstruction.”

“We need to work day and night to confirm those judges that are already on our calendar and have moved out of the Senate Judiciary Committee,” said Heller. “The Senate has an incredible opportunity right now to confirm federal judges, who will uphold the Constitution. And we should be here every day, for as long as we need, to ensure all judicial vacancies are filled.”

On Wednesday, he joined Ivanka Trump and Republican senators at the Capitol to talk about the child tax credit and honored Filipino WWII veterans, including Nevada Sgt. Regalado Baldonado who joined the Fil-American Army in 1942, at the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony.

“Today is a very special day for the Filipino and Filipino-American veteran community, and I’m incredibly humbled to be here as Nevada’s own Sergeant Regalado Baldonado and the entire Filipino veteran community receive the Congressional Gold Medal for answering America’s call to service,” Heller said. “Our country has a responsibility to recognize those who put their lives on the line, and this Congressional Gold Medal is a symbol of our gratitude.”

Press release subject lines:

• 10/24: Senate Passes Heller-Backed Bill to Fight Nationwide Rape Kit Backlog
• 10/25: VIDEO: Heller Urges Congress to Deliver a Bigger Child Tax Credit for Nevada’s Hardworking Families
• 10/25: MEDIA ADVISORY: Heller to Join Ivanka Trump, Colleagues at Event Highlighting Child Tax Credit TODAY
• 10/25: VIDEO: Heller Honors WWII Filipino Veterans, Including Nevada’s Sergeant Baldonado, at the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony
• 10/26: Heller Urges His Colleagues to Keep Working to Confirm Judges
• 10/26: TODAY: Heller to Speak on Senate Floor Urging Colleagues to Keep Working to Confirm Judges
• 10/26: Heller, Feinstein Introduce Bill to Improve Breast Cancer Detection
• 10/27: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Heller Honors WWII Filipino Veterans at Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony

RUBEN KIHUEN

Number of press releases issued this week: 5

The details: Kihuen made two tasty stops in Summerlin this week as part of a small-business tour. He highlighted a visit to Pink Box Doughnuts, a top-ranking shop according to Thrillist, and Big Horn Olive Oil Company, a balsamic vinegar and olive oil tasting room.

He also announced he was co-sponsoring a bill that would allow people to buy-in to Medicaid for a price if they’re not already eligible for it on other grounds. The concept came up in the Legislature this session and was nicknamed “Sprinklecare” for its sponsor, Democratic Assemblyman Mike Sprinkle. It was vetoed by the governor.

The freshman congressman also made rounds on Friday with a more senior colleague — New York Rep. Joe Crowley, the chair of the House Democratic Caucus. That included a roundtable with seniors at the Sun City Summerlin Desert Vista Community Center.

Press release subject lines:

• 10/21: REP. KIHUEN TOURS SUMMERLIN SMALL BUSINESSES
• 10/25: REPS. KIHUEN, ROSEN CO-SPONSORS MEDICAID PUBLIC OPTION ACT
• 10/27: MEDIA ADVISORY: REP. RUBEN J. KIHUEN AND REP. JOE CROWLEY, CHAIRMAN OF HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS, TO HOLD ROUNDTABLE WITH SENIORS
• 10/27: MEDIA ADVISORY: Today, 1pm PST REPS. KIHUEN & CROWLEY HOLD SENIORS ROUNDTABLE
• 10/27: MEDIA ADVISORY: Monday, 12:30 pm REP. RUBEN J. KIHUEN TO TOUR CCSD MAGNET SCHOOL RECEIVING $15 MILLION GRANT

JACKY ROSEN

Number of press releases issued this week: 4

The details: Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen highlighted in a press release this week several bills she co-sponsored relating to Iran’s ballistic missile program and Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based militant group supported by Iran. Two of the bills impose sanctions or direct the president to impose sanctions on Hezbollah and its members, while another urges the European Union to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and to impose sanctions on Hezbollah-affiliated terrorists.

“We must stand up for the democratic ideals and values that we hold dear and defend our allies around the world from terror,” Rosen said. “This means condemning bad state actors when they threaten our national security and global safety.”

She also called the bipartisan deal in the Senate to fund the payments made from the federal government to insurance companies to help low-income people afford health care, known as cost-sharing reductions, “the right way forward” after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office put out an analysis showing the legislation would reduce the federal deficit by $3.8 billion.

“The CBO's nonpartisan analysis reaffirms why this bipartisan health-care agreement is the right way forward — this legislation will help keep coverage affordable for hardworking Nevada families while reducing the deficit,” Rosen said. “This deal is our best path forward right now to prevent our health-care system from unraveling and protect affordable health care for Nevada families.”

Press release subject lines:

• 10/25: ROSEN STATEMENT ON CBO ANALYSIS OF ALEXANDER MURRAY
• 10/26: HOUSE PASSES FOUR ROSEN-BACKED BILLS TO COUNTER HEZBOLLAH AND STATE SPONSORS OF TERRORISM
• 10/26: ROSEN: HOUSE-PASSED REPUBLICAN BUDGET WILL HURT NEVADA’S MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES
• 10/26: ROSEN SENDS LETTER DENOUNCING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S CONTRACEPTION RULES, CO-SPONSORS LEGISLATION TO PROTECT WOMEN’S ACCESS TO CARE

DINA TITUS

Number of press releases issued this week: 4

The details: In true Titus fashion, the long-serving Democratic congresswoman didn’t mince words after House Republicans passed a budget bill this week. A 164-word statement sent to the media blasted the legislation and didn’t leave a stone unturned. It enumerated a list of concerns, including how she fears the budget would harm student loan programs, health care, social safety-net services and even the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

She ends with the following blistering sentence: “Once again, we see how Republican talking points and policies don’t add up for the American people.”

Her other media missives this week were less memorable. Titus announced she was co-sponsoring the Medicaid Public Option Act, a measure similar to the one state Assemblyman Mike Sprinkle introduced in the Legislature this year. The federal act would give states the option of allowing residents not enrolled in other insurance plans to buy into the state Medicaid program through the health exchange.

Titus also called on her colleagues to ban “bump stocks” and support a jobs program for service members and veterans.

Press release subject lines:

• 10/24: TITUS: NDAA MUST SUPPORT JOBS PROGRAM FOR SERVICEMEMBERS, VETERANS
• 10/25: REP TITUS CO-SPONSORS MEDICAID PUBLIC OPTION ACT
• 10/25: WATCH: Reps. Titus & Kelly Remember Las Vegas Victims and Call for Action to Stop Bump Stocks
• 10/26: TITUS STATEMENT ON GOP’S BILLIONAIRES-FIRST BUDGET

 

MARK AMODEI

Number of press releases issued this week:  0

The details: It was another quiet week for Republican Rep. Mark Amodei, whose office did not put out any press releases. He did, however, post a “Happy Nevada Day” message to his Facebook page, noting that it was his bill while serving in the Legislature that changed the day Nevada Day is observed from Oct. 31, the day Nevada entered the union, to the last Friday in October.

“Happy Nevada Day! Today, we celebrate 153 years of Nevada’s statehood. Twenty years ago, I introduced legislation to observe Nevada Day as the last Friday of October, ensuring that every hardworking Nevadan has an opportunity to celebrate our statehood and rich heritage,” Amodei wrote in the post. “I’m proud to be a 4th generation Nevadan and I wish our great state a very happy birthday!