Congress might be in the midst of a week-long recess, but at least some members of Nevada’s delegation aren’t taking a break during their time off from Washington D.C.

In addition to the usual Independence Day pomp and parades, several members of the six-member congressional delegation — most notably Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto — spent much of the short week decrying several of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet members and publicly opposing Republican-led efforts to revamp the Affordable Care Act.

And after a week in the headlines after outlining his opposition to the current form of a Senate ACA repeal bill, Sen. Dean Heller spent the week far away from major population centers in Nevada, participating in a 4th of July parade in tiny Ely, and helping open a full-service animal shelter assisting the pets of victims of domestic violence in Reno.

But several representatives took full advantage of the recess — two members sent out only a single dispatch to members of the media, and two representatives didn’t send out a single press release all week.

Here’s a look at what they really wanted their constituents — and, of course, the media — to know this past week. (And, yes, we kept the actual punctuation — capitalizations included — found within the press release subject lines.)

SEN. CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO

Number of press releases issued this week: 7

The details: Cortez Masto spent much of her week criticizing actions taken by various Trump administration officials including Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos before hosting a press conference on Friday decrying Republican efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. The Democratic senator said that more than 328,000 Nevadans could lose their health insurance under the newest version of “Trumpcare,” and called on Republicans to work with Democrats to improve the law.

“While the law is not perfect, we can come together to fix what doesn’t work,” she said in a statement. “I’m ready to work across the aisle to improve the ACA, not repeal it and endanger countless lives along the way.”

Press release subject lines:

• 7/4: Cortez Masto Celebrates Independence Day
• 7/5: Cortez Masto to Secretary DeVos: Stand Up for Students and Families, Reverse Delay of Protections for Defrauded Students
• 7/5: Cortez Masto, Senate Democrats Urge HUD Secretary Ben Carson to Restore Resources that Protect LGBTQ from Housing Discrimination
• 7/6: Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Improve U.S. Election Cybersecurity, Infrastructure, and Administration
• 7/6: **MEDIA ADVISORY** TOMORROW, FRIDAY, JULY 7 IN LAS VEGAS - Cortez Masto to Participate at Press Conference Highlighting Impact of Repealing the ACA for Nevadans
• 7/7: **ADDRESS CHANGE** - **MEDIA ADVISORY** TODAY, FRIDAY, JULY 7 IN LAS VEGAS - Cortez Masto to Participate at Press Conference Highlighting Impact of Repealing the ACA for Nevadans
• 7/7: Cortez Masto Highlights Impact of Repealing ACA for Nevadans

SEN. DEAN HELLER

Number of press releases issued this week: 3

The details: Heller spent part of the July recess touring rural parts of the state including Fallon, Elko, Winnemucca and Lovelock, and rode in the 4th of July parade in tiny Ely, Nevada.

His staff sent out three press releases throughout the week, including one detailing a letter sent by Heller and other Republican senators to Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelley asking for a delay in regulatory rules changing a program  for foreign investors to gain conditional permanent residence in the U.S., and another noting his attendance at a Reno groundbreaking for a full-service animal shelter for pets of domestic violence victims.

Press release subject lines:

• 7/3: HELLER NEWS: Heller, Senators Ask DHS for Help Halting Obama-Era Rule Affecting Investment, Job Creation
• 7/6: HELLER NEWS: Heller Attends Animal Shelter Groundbreaking in Reno
• 7/7: HELLER NEWS: Heller Holds Veteran Roundtables Focused on Solutions for Nevada Veterans

JACKY ROSEN

Number of press releases issued this week: 1

The details: Rosen’s staff may have only sent out a single press release this week, but the freshman Democrat’s week was anything but slow after she officially launched her bid on Thursday to challenge incumbent Sen. Dean Heller in 2018.

Outside the endorsements from fellow Nevada Democrats and liberal groups including EMILY’S List and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Rosen’s official congressional office had a relatively quiet week, sending one press release commemorating Independence Day.

Press release subject lines:

• 7/4: ROSEN STATEMENT COMMEMORATING INDEPENDENCE DAY   

CONGRESSMAN RUBEN KIHUEN

Number of press releases issued this week: 1

The details: Kihuen’s office was relatively quiet during the recess period, sending out only a single press release on Friday applauding the federal Economic Development Administration awarding a grant designed to assist small businesses in 14 of the state’s rural counties.

• 7/7: REP. KIHUEN APPLAUDS $450,000 GRANT TO SUPPORT ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND JOB CREATION IN NEVADA

CONGRESSWOMAN DINA TITUS

Number of press releases issued this week: 0

The details: The state’s senior House member is said to still be mulling a bid for U.S. Senate, despite the rush of endorsements to fellow Democratic House member Rosen following her official announcement to challenge Heller on Thursday. Titus did not send out any press releases during the congressional recess, but did speak on MSNBC about her support for universal Medicare, swore in a new North Las Vegas city council member and celebrated National Air Traffic Control Day on her Twitter account.

CONGRESSMAN MARK AMODEI

Number of press releases issued this week: 0

The details: It was a quiet week for Nevada’s lone House Republican, who issued no press releases this week and hasn’t tweeted since June. He did co-sponsor a bill — House Joint Resolution 51, which would eliminate an independent board charged with issuing annual recommendations for reducing growth in Medicaid expenditures.

Caption: Photo courtesy of Kent Kawashima under Creative Commons.