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Dispatches from Washington: Las Vegas shooting, tax reform dominate official releases from delegation

Riley Snyder
Riley Snyder
Michelle Rindels
Michelle Rindels
CongressOctober 1Yucca Mountain
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The deadly Las Vegas Strip shooting is still high on the minds of Nevada’s congressional delegation, if press releases are any indication. The state’s two senators kept busy sending communiques asking federal agencies to lend a hand to victims and honoring those affected through speeches and resolutions.

But they didn’t shy away from other subjects. Democrats pushed back on the Trump Administration’s effort to roll back Obamacare, and Sen. Dean Heller signaled his commitment to work around the clock advancing a tax code overhaul.

And then there was Rep. Dina Titus’ celebratory statement praising a WNBA team for its planned relocation to Las Vegas and saying she looked forward to watching a game.

Here’s a recap of this week’s activity:

CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO

Number of press releases issued this week: 17

The details: Cortez Masto unleashed a blitz of press releases on topics across the spectrum, including plenty of criticism of Trump Administration policies.

She highlighted Democratic resistance to the administration’s rollback of contraceptive rules under the Affordable Care Act and called for a hearing on “President Trump’s threat to press freedom” after he tweeted last week that TV networks’ licenses should be reviewed after their negative coverage of him. She urged an extension on temporary legal status for immigrants from embattled countries such as El Salvador as the administration has signaled a possible end to the program.

The junior senator also continued to call on a range of federal agencies to do more to help Vegas shooting victims. She singled out the Social Security and Administration and the Department of Justice, asking the latter to send more money to cover law enforcement overtime costs.

And she shared the transcript of her maiden speech, which was focused on the shooting and called for gun control measures.

“The right to own a gun is important – and equally important is the right to not be killed by someone who has no business owning a gun,” she said. “You don’t need a bump stock to hunt – unless you’re hunting people.”

Press release subject lines:

  • 10/20 - Cortez Masto, Colleagues Demand DHS Answers for Reported Violations of Sensitive Locations Policy
  • 10/20 - Cortez Masto, Senate Colleagues: Reports Indicate Actual Death Count in Puerto Rico May Be 10x Greater
  • 10/20 - Cortez Masto, Wicker Introduce SPEED Act
  • 10/19 - Cortez Masto, Senate, House Democrats Push to Block Trump Administration’s Roll Back of Birth Control Mandate
  • 10/19 - Cortez Masto, 22 Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Honduras, El Salvador
  • 10/19 - Cortez Masto Cosponsors Legislation to Create Medicare-X, a Public Plan to Provide Low-Cost, High Quality Care
  • 10/18 - Cortez Masto: In Honor of Loved Ones Lost to Gun Violence, Congress Must Pass Commonsense Reforms
  • 10/18 - ***HAPPENING SOON*** Cortez Masto to Deliver Maiden Speech
  • 10/18 - Cortez Masto Submits Letter to VA Secretary Requesting Solution to High Veteran Suicide Rate in Western States
  • 10/18 - Cortez Masto, Commerce Committee Democrats Call for FCC Oversight Hearing to Address President Trump’s Threat to Press Freedom
  • 10/18 - Cortez Masto, Heller Request Additional DOJ Funding to Cover Overtime Costs of Law Enforcement Response to Las Vegas Shooting
  • 10/18 - ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** TODAY: WEDNESDAY, October 18th at 5:30 PM ET / 2:30 PM PT
  • 10/17 - Cortez Masto, Heller Submit Letter to the Social Security Administration Requesting Formal Public Notice as to How It Intends to Assist Las Vegas Attack Victims, Families
  • 10/17 - VIDEO: Cortez Masto Calls for Stronger Consumer Protections in Wake of Equifax Data Breach
  • 10/17 - Cortez Masto, Capito Introduce Legislation to Encourage Young Women to Pursue STEM EducatioN
  • 10/16 - Cortez Masto Hosts Mentorship Initiative Meeting with LGBTQ Staffers
  • 10/16 - Cortez Masto, Colleagues Urge Treasury IG to Investigate Noreika’s SGE Status

DEAN HELLER

Number of press releases issued this week: 10

The details: Nevada’s senior senator touted his plans to pass a Republican tax code overhaul, saying it would help struggling families even though critics say too many of its benefits will accrue to the wealthy and strain the federal budget.

“As a member of the tax-writing committee, I’m going to continue fighting to help Nevadans who are struggling to get by and push for policies that will make it easier for them to provide a better life for their kids,” he wrote. “While we have paved the way for tax relief, we have a long road ahead of us and I’m eager to get to work.”

He also joined other Republican senators in pledging to be available for votes 24/7 to combat “sustained, partisan obstruction.”

Heller sent a battery of press releases focused on Las Vegas’ deadly massacre, highlighting a speech on the Senate floor and a resolution honoring victims and urging the Veterans Administration to do whatever it can to make life easier for veterans involved in the shooting.

And he praised the Government Accountability Office for looking into VA practices in response to his 2016 request. The agency’s report indicates the VA didn’t evaluate how effectively it was recruiting and retaining doctors, among other things.

Press release subject lines:

  • 10/19 - HELLER NEWS: Heller Votes to Pave the Way for Tax Relief for Nevada Families
  • 10/19 - HELLER NEWS: Heller on GAO Report: VA Must Prioritize Retaining Doctors to Fully Support Nevada Veterans
  • 10/19 - HELLER NEWS: Heller Fights to Turn Senate On Full Time
  • 10/18 - HELLER NEWS: U.S. Senate Passes Heller Amendment to Lower Taxes for Nevada Families with Children
  • 10/18 - MEDIA ADVISORY: Heller to Deliver Speech Honoring Victims and Heroes of the Las Vegas Shooting TODAY
  • 10/18 - HELLER NEWS: Heller Encourages Nevadans Interested in Attending U.S. Service Academies to Submit Application Ahead of October 31st Deadline
  • 10/17 - HELLER NEWS: U.S. Senate Unanimously Passes Heller, Cortez Masto Resolution Honoring Las Vegas Shooting Victims
  • 10/17 - HELLER NEWS: Heller, Cortez Masto Urge VA to Support Veterans Impacted by Las Vegas Shooting
  • 10/16 - HELLER NEWS: Heller, Cortez Masto Introduce Resolution in Honor of Las Vegas Shooting Victims
  • 10/16 - HELLER NEWS: Heller to Senate Colleagues: Take Action to Prevent Wildfires

JACKY ROSEN

Number of press releases issued this week: 4

The details: A weeklong recess for House representatives didn’t slow down the releases from Rosen, who issued three statements, including calls to stop a bill aimed at reopening the shuttered Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository and public support of Sen. Lamar Alexander and Sen. Patricia Murray’s deal to continue cost-sharing reduction payments to health insurers.

The former computer programmer also applauded Cortez Masto and West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito for introducing a companion version of her “Code Like a Girl” bill, which creates grants designed to encourage interest in computer science and STEM field for girls under 10.

Press release subject lines:

  • 10/20 - ROSEN STATEMENT ON WEEKEND’S PRIDE PARADE FESTIVITIES IN LAS VEGAS
  • 10/19 - ROSEN CALLS ON HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE TO STOP YUCCA MOUNTAIN BILL FROM GOING FORWARD, HIGHLIGHTS MILITARY CONCERNS AT NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE
  • 10/18 - ROSEN APPLAUDS BIPARTISAN COMPROMISE TO STABILIZE HEALTH CARE MARKETS, URGES CONGRESS TO ACT
  • 10/17 - ROSEN APPLAUDS SENATORS CORTEZ MASTO AND CAPITO FOR INTRODUCING SENATE COMPANION OF THE “CODE LIKE A GIRL ACT”

DINA TITUS

Number of press releases issued this week: 1

The details: The Las Vegas representative was the only one to send a triumphant press release after the San Antonio Stars, a WNBA team, announced plans to relocate to Las Vegas.

“There is no better home than Mandalay Bay for a team and league that will inspire, engage, and entertain our community,” she wrote. “As Southern Nevada continues to heal in the aftermath of the 1 October tragedy, the WNBA’s commitment to Las Vegas underscores our town’s resilience and its unprecedented legacy of hospitality and entertainment. I look forward to watching world-class basketball teams tip-off at one of the world’s premier entertainment destinations.”

Press release subject lines:

10/17 - TITUS STATEMENT ON WNBA ANNOUNCEMENT

RUBEN KIHUEN

Number of press releases issued this week: 1

The details:

The freshman Democrat’s office sent only one official press releases this week, planning a tour of two Summerlin small businesses for Saturday including a donut store and olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting store.

Press release subject lines:

  • 10/20 - MEDIA ADVISORY: REP. RUBEN J. KIHUEN TO HOLD SUMMERLIN SMALL BUSINESS TOUR

MARK AMODEI

Number of press releases issued this week: 0

The details: Once again, the Northern Nevada congressman didn’t send out a single official press release this week. But he did issue a lone tweet, reminding students to turn in applications for military service academies no later than Oct. 31.

Members of Congress are the ones to nominate students to attend the academies.

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