Catherine Cortez Masto

We are combating opioids now and it is a crisis across the Country.

Requiring our tribes to work with the States to fight for that money is difficult.

Don't you think there should be targeted grant funding to address these issues in tribal communities?

In Nevada, we have already undertaken the kind of revenue generation in recent years to establish a greater availability of funds to help rebuild and expand our local infrastructure in places like Clark and Washoe counties.

I would support that as well.

But it's possible it could because--

So what you're saying today is it is not shifting funds away from traditional Pell grants.

What it appears you're doing is shifting money away from low-income students who need the funds to attend college.

Are you referring to coming to Capitol Hill now and working with us in a bipartisan way?

I only have 5 minutes. So if you've done the modeling or analysis, just say yes, and if you would send it to my office, that would be great.

Did you do some modeling, or was there some analysis?

Congress can further facilitate wireless deployments on Federal property by creating a deemed granted remedy for siting applications.

S. 1988, the Streamlining Permitting to Enable Efficient Deployment of Broadband Infrastructure Act of 2017 or SPEED Act, spearheaded by Subcommittee Chairman Wicker and Senator Cortez Masto will make it easier to deploy small cells by…

The SPEED Act would update Federal regulation for these type of devices.

Can I just ask for a commitment that you come back to us and go through this and be willing to talk to us more about what is going on here, because we have not had the opportunity to explore this with you and your staff as well?

What I am asking for is a commitment from you and DOI to work with the stakeholders, the Governor, and the State of Nevada to address our concerns.

Energy is core to our economic well-being and, quite frankly, morally, to produce energy in this country is morally right because I don't want to see your kids ever have to go overseas and see what I've seen.

If this Administration is committed to what I have heard you say time and again, an all-of-the-above energy strategy, then why is renewable energy the only energy program that is proposed to be cut?

Right. Thank you. And I know I have gone over my time. Thank you.

Education is key. Education, education.

I'm very passionate about education in terms of the STEM activities and would certainly be a very strong supporter of that.

And as you well know, USGS has well over 200 programs, offices, laboratories, field stations and different facilities across the country with numerous partnerships with universities and other educational institutions.

Can I get a commitment from you that, once appointed and after you have done your analysis, if there is going to be an impact to Nevada, you will be willing to reach out and work with us and talk with us about the issues?

The concern with this budget is the cutbacks and the impact it is going to have.

Thank you. I appreciate that.