It was a busy week in Washington D.C. as members of Congress wrapped up business ahead of the recess for Thanksgiving next week.

Both the House and the Senate continued to focus on tax reform this week, with the House passing its tax proposal on Thursday and the Senate voting its version of the bill out of committee later that night. The full Senate will consider the proposal when it returns from its recess after Thanksgiving.

But more allegations of sexual assault roiled the Senate on Thursday, with a Los Angeles radio host saying that Minnesota Sen. Al Franken forcibly kissed her and groped her during a USO tour in 2006. The comedian-turned-senator has agreed to participate in a Senate ethics investigation into his actions, with Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto saying she was “deeply disappointed” in Franken’s behavior and Republican Sen. Dean Heller condemning a “culture in which sexual harassment and abuse was either tolerated or kept secret for years.”

There was the usual business, too: Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen touted STEM education legislation passing out of committee; Heller highlighted a bill focusing on emergency air services for rural communities; and Cortez Masto co-sponsored a couple of bills focused on access to guns.

Here’s a rundown of the congressional delegation’s activities this past week, as told through their media releases. 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: 12

The details: Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto put out a host of different news releases on a variety of different issues this week, from calling for an investigation into immigration enforcement at “sensitive locations” (like schools, hospitals and religious institutions) to asking the nominee for Homeland Security secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen, to answer several immigration-related questions before her nomination is considered by the full Senate.

The junior Nevada senator also co-sponsored a bill to amend the Uniform Code of Military Justice to bar convicted domestic abusers from buying guns and another piece of legislation to strengthen the federal background check system in the wake of the October 1 shooting in Las Vegas.

“On October 1st, my hometown of Las Vegas became the site of the deadliest massacre due to gun violence in modern American history when a madman fired into a crowd of peaceful concertgoers,” Cortez Masto said. “I have made it my mission to prevent the next city or town from being forced to bear that awful distinction.”

Cortez Masto also said in a statement this week that she is “deeply disappointed” in the wake of allegations of sexual assault by fellow Democratic Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota.

“This type of behavior is unacceptable for any public official. I support the Ethics Committee process and investigation into this inappropriate conduct and look forward to hearing more from my colleague on this matter,” Cortez Masto said.

Press release subject lines:

• 11/13: Cortez Masto Joins Colleagues to Call for Investigation Into Immigration Enforcement in Sensitive Locations
• 11/14: Cortez Masto Applauds U.S. Department of Transportation for Emergency Repair Grant
• 11/14: Cortez Masto Signs Letter to FCC Chairman Raising Concerns Over Proposed Rule That Could Harm Rural Americans Who Depend on Landline Service
• 11/15: Cortez Masto Statement on Resignation of CFPB Director Richard Cordray
• 11/15: Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Close Loophole in Military Justice System that Enables Convicted Domestic Abusers to Buy Guns
• 11/16: Cortez Masto Statement on Senator Franken
• 11/16: Cortez Masto, Colleagues Call for Impartial Investigation Into Potential Quid Pro Quo Between FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, Trump Administration & Sinclair Broadcasting
• 11/16: Cortez Masto Statement on Passage of House Republican Tax Bill
• 11/16: Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bipartisan Gun Safety Legislation
• 11/17: Cortez Masto Asks DHS Nominee to Clarify Stance On DACA, The DREAM Act, & TPS
• 11/17: Cortez Masto: White House Relief Request Shows Trump Administration Continues Inadequate Response
• 11/17: ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20 - Cortez Masto to Host Open Enrollment Event, Immigration Roundtable in Reno

DEAN HELLER

Number of press releases issued this week: 10

The details: Republican Sen. Dean Heller’s focus this week was on the Senate’s tax reform bill, which passed out of the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday night. Heller applauded the passage of the legislation, including his amendment with Sen. Tim Scott to double the child tax credit to $2,000 per child.

“This change will significantly benefit thousands of Nevadans by allowing them to keep more of their hard-earned money, and will help families begin to confront the rising costs of raising their children,” Heller said. “Whether it’s the single mother from Las Vegas who doesn’t receive child support, works full time, and is simply trying to make ends meet, or it’s the entrepreneur in Elko who’s fighting hard to get his small business off the ground, I will continue to stand up for Nevadans who deserve a break and fight to ensure that the final product puts Nevada first.”

His press releases also touted legislation to ensure rural communities have access to emergency air medical services, announced $3 million in emergency relief funds to help Nevada recover from flooding damage and highlighted a bill to make it easier for employers to give their workers an ownership stake in their company through stock options.

“By letting even more Nevadans participate, through stock ownership, in the economic opportunity this community provides, my amendment will increase employee engagement, retention, and ultimately spur more innovation and job creation at home and across the country,” Heller said.

Press release subject lines:

• 11/13: Heller to Senate Colleagues: It’s Time to Deliver Tax Relief for Hardworking Families
• 11/14: Heller Announces $3 Million in Emergency Relief Funds to Help Nevada Recover from Flooding Damage
• 11/14: Heller, Scott Amendment to Double the Child Tax Credit Included in Senate's Updated Tax Relief Bill
• 11/14: Senators Introduce Bill to Ensure Rural Communities Have Continued Access to Emergency Air Medical Services
• 11/14: In Case You Missed It: Heller Bill Demands Transparency, Accountability from the VA
• 11/15: MEDIA ADVISORY: Heller, Senate Finance Committee Begin Debate on New Senate Tax Relief Bill
• 11/15: Senate Tax Relief Bill Includes Heller Amendment to Make it Easier for Employers to Award Stock to Workers
• 11/16: Heller, Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Fix NICS Act to Enhance Compliance, Ensure Accuracy of Existing Background Check System for Firearms Purchases
• 11/16: Heller Votes to Deliver Tax Relief for Nevada Families, Double Child Tax Credit
• 11/16: In Case You Missed It: Heller-Scott Amendment Helps Hardworking American Families

RUBEN KIHUEN

Number of press releases issued this week: 6

The details: Four of Democratic Rep. Ruben Kihuen’s communiques to the media this week highlighted an event on Friday with Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, as part of Hoyer’s “Make It In America” listening tour. Kihuen touted how he would “bring together local government officials, local business leaders, representatives of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, and others to discuss infrastructure and innovation in Southern Nevada,” including locally-driven infrastructure investments, the I-11 project and the future of technology in infrastructure.

“It was an honor to host Whip Hoyer in Las Vegas to hear directly from local leaders and innovators about Southern Nevada’s infrastructure needs,” Kihuen said. “Southern Nevada has had notable infrastructure successes in recent years, including the jobs and economic opportunities created by the voter-approved fuel revenue indexing initiative. But local communities can’t do it alone. They need a partner in the federal government that is committed to investing in 21st century American infrastructure and 21st century American jobs.”

Notably, in none of his three media advisories did Kihuen’s staff mention that Democratic Rep. Dina Titus would also be in attendance at the event. (Her media advisory also did not mention that Kihuen would be in attendance; the two have recently declined to mention the other’s name in press releases highlighting co-sponsors of various bills. Kihuen and Titus briefly faced off in the race for the 1st Congressional District, which Titus now represents, until Kihuen withdrew a month before filing for the seat opened in January 2012.)

Kihuen also called the Republican tax bill an “attack on middle-class families” and a “shameless giveaway for special interests and corporations.” The freshman senator also highlighted the passage of a bill he authored to expand jobs in rural areas.

Press release subject lines:

• 11/15: REP. KIHUEN’S EXPANDING ACCESS TO CAPITAL FOR RURAL JOB CREATORS ACT PASSES FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
• 11/16: MEDIA ADVISORY: REP. RUBEN J. KIHUEN TO HOST DEMOCRATIC WHIP STENY H. HOYER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE ROUNDTABLE
• 11/16: REP. KIHUEN: GOP TAX PLAN IS AN ATTACK ON MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES
• 11/17: TODAY: REP. RUBEN J. KIHUEN TO HOST DEMOCRATIC WHIP STENY H. HOYER FOR ROUNDTABLE ON INFRASTRUCTURE IN SOUTHERN NEVADA
• 11/17: SOON: TODAY, 10AM PST -REP. KIHUEN HOSTS DEMOCRATIC WHIP STENY H. HOYER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE ROUNDTABLE
• 11/17: MEDIA ADVISORY: REPRESENTATIVE RUBEN J. KIHUEN TO JOIN HEALTH ENROLLMENT FAIR

DINA TITUS

Number of press releases issued this week: 4

The details: Democratic Rep. Dina Titus had strong words for the House tax reform proposal this week, calling it a Republican “tax scam.” Titus said that 50,000 of her constituents itemize their taxes, with the majority earning less than $75,000 per year. Collectively, Titus said taxpayers in her district reduce their tax burden with deductions by more than $1.4 billion a year.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg. Do not be fooled by the ‘trickle-down’ rhetoric and the brackets in the GOP’s plan,” Titus said. “Thirty-six million middle-class Americans will see a tax hike in this bill. Thousands of them live in my district.”

Titus also highlighted two events in Las Vegas on Friday — a roundtable with Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada and the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce on infrastructure in Nevada and an event with County Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Steve Sisolak and others to criticize the House’s passage of the tax bill.

Press release subject lines:

• 11/14: CBO: GOP TAX BILL TRIGGERS $136 BILLION IN CUTS IN 2018, SLASHING $25 BILLION FROM MEDICARE
• 11/16: Titus Votes No on GOP Tax Scam
• 11/16: MEDIA ADVISORY 10 AM FRIDAY: REP TITUS TO SPEAK AT INFRASTRUCTURE ROUNDTABLE WITH RTC, REP HOYER AT UNLV
• 11/16: MEDIA ADVISORY: FRIDAY 1 PM PT: TITUS, SISOLAK, REGENT LIEBERMAN, LABOR, HOMEBUILDERS, REALTORS, AND RESIDENTS SAY NO TO GOP TAX PLAN

JACKY ROSEN

Number of press releases issued this week: 4

The details: This week, Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen proposed several amendments to what she called “harmful provisions” in the House Republicans’ tax bill and later criticized the passage of the legislation. She said that the legislation would “throw millions of working families under the bus” to “give wealthy Americans and big corporations a tax cut.”

“I was disappointed to see Republicans also refuse to adopt amendments I submitted to protect important these provisions in our tax code that help families make ends meet,” Rosen said. “I will continue to call for a bipartisan effort to create a simpler, fairer tax code that invests in our small businesses and regular Nevada families, who are the backbone of our economy.”

Rosen also joined six colleagues in sending a letter to the White House urging the president to create a bipartisan task force to investigating the rising costs of prescription drugs, noting that the president recently appointed a former pharmaceutical executive, Alex Azar, to be the new Health and Human Services secretary. She also highlighted legislation she introduced to improve STEM education that passed out of committee this week.

“This legislation will help invest in our children so they can meet the challenges of a changing economy that increasingly relies on highly-skilled labor and technology,” Rosen said. “I will continue to advocate for smart investments in STEM education so we can build a more effective workforce that helps America's economy stay globally competitive.”

Press release subject lines:

• 11/14: REP. JACKY ROSEN URGES THE WHITE HOUSE TO ESTABLISH A BIPARTISAN TASK FORCE TO REIN IN PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES
• 11/15: REP. JACKY ROSEN PROPOSES AMENDMENTS TO COUNTER HARMFUL PROVISIONS IN HOUSE REPUBLICANS’ TAX BILL
• 11/15: ROSEN’S BIPARTISAN BILLS TO IMPROVE STEM EDUCATION PASS THE HOUSE SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
• 11/16: ROSEN STATEMENT ON VOTE AGAINST HOUSE REPUBLICANS’ UNFAIR AND COSTLY TAX PLAN

MARK AMODEI

Number of press releases issued this week: 1

The details: The lone press release from Republican Rep. Mark Amodei touted his support for the House Republican tax bill, saying that the legislation would result in more simplified filing and tax cuts for a majority of federal taxpayers in his congressional district.

Amodei explained that because only 25 percent of Nevadans itemize their tax returns and the largest itemized deduction is the mortgage interest deduction (which is about $2,500 in Nevada) and because the tax reform plan doubles the standard deduction from $6,000 to $12,000, most taxpayers who are itemizing their deductions can instead take the standard deduction and receive more of a tax benefit.

“This represents the beginning of the legislative process on tax reform. All eyes now turn to the Senate as they work on a tax reform bill that is not identical to this one,” Amodei said. “I hope they have better luck with this issue than they had with the health-care issue. In any event, I expect the issue to continue to evolve in the coming weeks, and we’ll stay with it until it’s done. Happy Thanksgiving.”  

Press release subject lines:

• 11/16: Amodei Statement on House Passage of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act