Biography
Catherine Cortez Masto, born on March 29, 1964, in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a third-generation Nevadan and a member of the Democratic Party. She has served as the senior United States Senator from Nevada since January 3, 2017, succeeding Harry Reid. Cortez Masto is the first woman from Nevada and the first Latina ever elected to the U.S. Senate.
Before her tenure in the Senate, she served as Nevada's Attorney General from 2007 to 2015. In this role, she led efforts to combat sex trafficking, including passing legislation to define and criminalize the offense at the state level.
In the Senate, Cortez Masto has been recognized for her bipartisan approach, passing over twenty pieces of legislation into law during the 115th Congress and securing more than $468 million in federal funding for various projects in Nevada.
Education
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Bachelor of Science in Business Administration : University of Nevada, Reno, 1986
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Juris Doctor: Gonzaga University School of Law, 1990
Political Experience
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Assistant County Manager: Clark County, Nevada
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Chief of Staff: Governor Bob Miller of Nevada
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Federal Prosecutor: U.S. Attorney's Office
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Attorney General of Nevada: 2007–2015
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U.S. Senator from Nevada: 2017–present
Notable Achievements
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Combatting Sex Trafficking: As Attorney General, Cortez Masto introduced and passed legislation to define and criminalize sex trafficking in Nevada, enhancing penalties and providing support for victims.
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Legislative Success: During the 115th Congress, she passed over twenty bipartisan pieces of legislation into law and secured significant federal funding for Nevada's military, healthcare, infrastructure, housing, and education projects.
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Committee Leadership: In the Senate, she has served on several key committees, including the Committee on Finance; the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; the Committee on Rules and Administration; and the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Cortez Masto continues to advocate for issues such as renewable energy, healthcare access, and economic development in Nevada.
