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Dispatches from Washington: Delegation hones in on health bill, Yucca Mountain, drone demonstrations

Michelle Rindels
Michelle Rindels
EnergyGovernmentHealth CareImmigrationYucca Mountain
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The six members of Nevada’s congressional delegation had plenty of things to announce, tout and criticize this past week.

Communications staff for the state’s two senators and three of the four House members sent out 37 press releases to members of the media between Monday and Friday. Republican-led efforts to roll back the Affordable Care Act and a renewed attempt to store nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain dominated much of the conversation, with Democrats criticizing the proposed Obamacare repeal efforts as “despicable” and the Republican members of the delegation notably silent on the topic.

But the elected officials also wanted Nevadans (and beloved members of the media) to know about a Head Start grant, playground equipment in Pahrump and a drone demonstration in Reno.

Get up to speed below. And, yes, we kept the actual punctuation — capitalizations included — found within the press release subject lines.

SENATOR CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO

Number of press releases issued this week: 15

The details:

Cortez Masto’s prolific press team had a lot to say this week, firing out missives against a Senate effort to repeal Obamacare and Trump Administration immigration directives that she says will erode protections for victims of domestic violence.

She applauded a $700,000 federal grant that will fund improvements at parks in Reno, Pahrump and Carson City, and she co-sponsored a resolution marking Latino Conservation Week - which seeks to raise awareness about minority communities living dangerously close to polluted areas.

She also urged her colleagues to pass the newly reintroduced DREAM Act to protect young immigrants, noting that “now more than ever DACA is under grave threat.” While the legislation has bipartisan support, the Trump Administration signaled that it wouldn’t survive the president’s veto pen if it even makes it to his desk.

By Friday, the Democratic senator was back in Nevada, where she announced plans to attend a drone demonstration at the Reno-Stead Airport.

Press release subject lines:

  • 7/21: Cortez Masto, Senate Dems Challenge Trump Administration Over Move to Slash Teen Pregnancy Prevention
  • 7/21: Cortez Masto Tours Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation
  • 7/21: Cortez Masto Attends Drone Demonstration at Reno-Stead Airport
  • 7/21: **MEDIA ADVISORY** TOMORROW, SATURDAY, JULY 22 IN LAS VEGAS - Cortez Masto to Co-Host Veteran and Family Career Fair and Workshop
  • 7/21: ICYMI: Cortez Masto Univisión Noticias Op-Ed: “Tenemos que proteger a todos los dreamers”
  • 7/21: **MEDIA ADVISORY** TODAY, FRIDAY, JULY 21 IN RENO - Cortez Masto to Attend Drone Demonstration at Reno-Stead Airport
  • 7/20: **MEDIA ADVISORY** TOMORROW, FRIDAY, JULY 21 IN RENO - Cortez Masto to Attend Drone Demonstration at Reno-Stead Airport
  • 7/20: Cortez Masto Statement on the DREAM Act
  • 7/19: Cortez Masto on Latest Republican Effort to Repeal the ACA
  • 7/19: Cortez Masto, Senate Colleagues Urge U.S. Dept. of State, U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Individuals from 10 TPS-Designated Countries
  • 7/18: Cortez Masto Cosponsors Resolution Celebrating Latino Conservation Week
  • 7/18: Cortez Masto, Senate Dems Call on Trump Administration to Reverse Course, Safeguard Protections for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking
  • 7/18: Cortez Masto: Repeal of ACA Would Be Disastrous for Nevada
  • 7/18: Cortez Masto Cosponsors LGBT Data Inclusion Act
  • 7/17: Cortez Masto Applauds Federal Grants For Nevada’s Public Parks

SENATOR DEAN HELLER

Number of press releases issued this week: 7

The details: Nevada’s senior senator has been under siege this week by groups opposing the Senate’s Obamacare overhaul efforts and reporters trying to discern the swing-voting lawmaker’s stance. He hasn’t taken a firm position on the bills, prompting protesters to get themselves arrested at his Las Vegas office and someone to leave a threatening note there over the weekend (Las Vegas police are investigating that).

But Heller’s press office was mum on the health bill preoccupying much of the nation. His press releases focused on his efforts to fight Yucca Mountain and celebrated a committee’s move to approve a spending bill without funding to revive the nuclear waste dump.

He also highlighted his presence at the groundbreaking for the Northern Nevada Veterans Home in Sparks. The project is on a waiting list for federal funding and the state is fronting the costs, but Heller vowed to ensure the feds follow through with a reimbursement.

Press release subject lines:

  • 7/20: HELLER NEWS: Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Spending Bill Without Yucca Mountain Funding
  • 7/19: HELLER NEWS: Heller to EPA: End Unnecessary Obama-Era Rule That Could Harm Nevada’s Mining Industry
  • 7/19: In Case You Missed It: Heller is Fighting for Nevada’s Veterans
  • 7/18: HELLER NEWS: Key Senate Panel Excludes Yucca Mountain from Appropriations Bill
  • 7/18: HELLER NEWS: Heller Announces Fire Management Assistance Grant for Oilwell Fire in Elko County
  • 7/18: In Case You Missed It: Heller Drives the Need for Sweeping Tax Reform
  • 7/17: HELLER NEWS: Heller Attends Northern Nevada Veterans Home Groundbreaking

CONGRESSWOMAN JACKY ROSEN

Number of press releases issued this week: 4

The details: Rosen issued two press releases touting a bill she introduced this week -- the “Code Like a Girl Act” -- that would allocate funds to ensure more young girls are exposed to computer science. She’s a former computer programmer.

She also applauded efforts to reintroduce the DREAM Act that would give legal protections to young people brought to the country illegally as children. And she announced an amendment with fellow Democrat Ruben Kihuen to axe funding proposed by the Trump Administration to revive Yucca Mountain.

While it came from her Senate campaign account, not her official one, Rosen did take a jab at her opponent Heller over health care.

“I’m disappointed that once again Senator Heller refuses to oppose the Republican health care plan. Nevadans need a Senator they can trust to be an independent voice who will fight to protect our health care.”

Press release subject lines:

  • 7/21: ICYMI - Rosen bill encourages girls to explore careers in computer science
  • 7/20: ROSEN STATEMENT ON BIPARTISAN EFFORTS TO INTRODUCE THE DREAM ACT
  • 7/20: ROSEN INTRODUCES “CODE LIKE A GIRL ACT,” A BIPARTISAN BILL TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG GIRLS TO PURSUE A CAREER IN COMPUTING
  • 7/19: REP. ROSEN JOINS REP. KIHUEN IN INTRODUCING AMENDMENT TO STRIKE FUNDING FOR YUCCA MOUNTAIN

CONGRESSMAN RUBEN KIHUEN

Number of press releases issued this week: 7

The details: Kihuen issued four press releases highlighting his opposition to reversing designations of national monuments, culminating in a press conference at the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas on Friday.

“The designations of our monuments came after years of effort by local activists, and long periods of public input,” he said in a statement afterward. “Our national monuments are tremendously important to the people of our state, and it’s necessary that they remain protected from private interests.”

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke plans to visit Nevada later this month and is expected to issue recommendations Aug. 24 regarding national monuments including the new Basin and Range and Gold Butte monuments.

Kihuen also criticized Senate Republicans’ Obamacare repeal plans as “despicable” and a “stunt,” and highlighted his amendment to defund Yucca Mountain.

Press release subject lines:

  • 7/21: REP. KIHUEN INTRODUCES SERVICEMEMBER VOTING PROTECTION ACT
  • 7/21: REP. KIHUEN: NEVADA’S NATIONAL MONUMENTS MUST REMAIN PROTECTED
  • 7/21: KIHUEN MEDIA ADVISORY TODAY at 9:30am
  • 7/20: MEDIA ADVISORY Tomorrow, Friday, July 21st 9:30am
  • 7/19: REP. KIHUEN: ACA REPEAL SPELLS DISASTER FOR NEVADA
  • 7/19: REP. KIHUEN INTRODUCES AMENDMENT TO DEFUND YUCCA MOUNTAIN LICENSING EFFORTS
  • 7/18: REP. KIHUEN APPLAUDS $2.7 MILLION DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION GRANT FOR YERINGTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

CONGRESSWOMAN DINA TITUS

Number of press releases issued this week: 4

The details: Like her Democratic colleagues, Titus took time to blast the Republican effort to repeal Obamacare. She also had lots to say about Yucca Mountain, urging her House colleagues to take a cue from the Senate and strip funding for the nuclear waste repository out of any spending plan.

Titus had some good news to share in one of her releases. Nevada scored a grant that will help about 200 children, from 6 weeks old to three years, attend a Head Start preschool program.

Press release subject lines:

  • 7/19: Titus Statement on GOP Repeal Bill's CBO Score
  • 7/19: Republicans must listen to Nevada and Mother Nature on Yucca Mountain
  • 7/18: Titus Statement on Senate Subcommittee Excluding Yucca Mountain Appropriation
  • 7/18: Rep Titus Announces $3.6 million Early Head Start Grant

CONGRESSMAN MARK AMODEI

Number of press releases issued this week: 0

The details: The rural congressman kept a low profile this week, issuing no press releases and only tweeting twice. His first tweet was about a budget hearing for the Interior and Homeland Security departments.

His second tweet sought interns for the fall.

This story was updated at 7:30 a.m. on July 22, 2017 to add additional Cortez Masto press releases.

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