Catherine Cortez Masto

Mr. President, I rise today to pass my bill which would ensure the Federal Housing Finance Agency's inspector general can do its job to protect the integrity of our housing market.

The inspector general is an independent official who investigates fraud, waste, and abuse in government Agencies. We can all agree that is a critical position.

Within the FHFA, the inspector general goes after legitimate fraud and abuse. The IG makes sure government-sponsored entities like Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Bank meet the housing needs of our communities.

And the IG ensures American consumers who need mortgages and loans for their homes aren't being taken advantage of.

For example, during President Trump's first term, the FHFA's Office of the Inspector General caught the president and the chief information officer at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

There is another example from just this month when the OIG worked with Florida law enforcement to investigate and prosecute a former attorney for real estate fraud.

There are so many more instances out there of this office going after fraudsters.

I, also, personally know how critical this work is, as a former attorney general of Nevada. It was the responsibility of my office to go after fraud and win restitution for Nevadans who had been exploited.

So trust me when I say: The work the OIG does is essential to making sure Americans are getting a fair deal.

Unfortunately, President Trump's pick to head the FHFA, Bill Pulte, has weaponized the Agency. Director Pulte has used his position to go after the President's perceived political enemies. He has pushed out staff who are doing their job, including economists who refused to inflate market outlooks. He has also forced out ethics and civil rights staff who help hold the Agency and its leadership accountable.

President Trump himself fired the acting inspector general last month.

Clearly, there is cause for concern here, and that is why we need to pass this bill.

The law already requires FHFA to provide its Office of Inspector General with the resources it needs to do its job. My bill would add safeguards to ensure that the FHFA must provide the funding that the OIG requests. This would protect the OIG from being shortchanged by any FHFA Director playing politics, and it would ensure the FHFA inspector general--and not Bill Pulte--determines the amount of funding it needs to do its job.

This bill would protect the American people from waste, fraud, and abuse, and to deter bad actors from taking advantage of their power. I encourage my colleagues to join me in passing this bill.

So, as if in legislative session and notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 5681 submitted earlier today; further, that the bill be considered read three times and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Madam President, today I rise to honor the life and legacy of Edward Earl Allison, who passed away in Reno, NV, on August 23, 2026. Ed's long career in government and journalism carried him from his hometown of Carson City to the halls of Congress in Washington, DC, and back to his beloved Nevada. Along the way, Ed inspired countless Nevadans to pursue public service and will be remembered as a great friend to many.

Born on January 9, 1940, in Denver, CO, Ed and his family soon moved to the small mining town of Kimberly, NV, before eventually settling in Carson City. Ed, alongside his brothers George and Pat, attended Carson City High School before enrolling at the University of Nevada, Reno. At UNR, Ed pursued a degree in journalism, while also playing for the school's basketball team.

After receiving his degree, Ed returned to Carson City to begin his career as a journalist. While working at the Nevada Appeal as a managing editor, Ed demonstrated his willingness to go against the grain. His focus on ensuring that all viewpoints were fairly represented at the paper often put him at odds with his publisher. This dispute eventually escalated to the point where Ed resigned from the paper after they refused to publish his endorsement of Republican gubernatorial candidate and fellow Carson native Paul Laxalt. It was also this moment that launched Ed's foray into State and national politics.

Following a stint as Gov. Paul Laxalt's press secretary, Ed continued to pursue his interest in politics, forming

a consulting firm specializing in political campaigns. During this period, Ed demonstrated his political talent, which eventually led to his appointment as Senator Paul Laxalt's chief of staff in 1981. Upon his arrival in Washington, DC, Ed took on an exceptionally challenging role, serving as both the Senator's chief of staff and his press secretary. Yet, despite it all, Ed carried out his role with enormous skill, tenacity, and dedication.

During his time on Capitol Hill, Ed never forgot where he came from. He strongly prioritized hiring Nevadans, for both full-time positions and internships. Additionally, Senator Laxalt's close relationship with President Ronald Reagan gave Ed the opportunity to ensure that Nevadans were also hired in the administration. Ed was dedicated to ensuring that Nevadans have a seat at the table when big decisions are being made, and his efforts became a springboard for many of Nevada's future leaders in government and business.

By the time Ed concluded his time on Capitol Hill, he had become a respected figure in Washington with friends on both sides of the aisle. Ed received a number of Presidential appointments. In 1985, President Reagan appointed him to the Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations, gathering private sector input on trade policy. In 1988, he was appointed to the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation, where he was responsible for beautifying the avenue's stretch between the U.S. Capitol and the White House.

Following a successful 12 years in Washington, Ed and his wife JoAnn returned to Reno. Back in Nevada, he put his extensive political talent to work, lobbying the State legislature on behalf of clients such as UNR, UNLV, the Harry Reid Environmental Center, and many more. He also continued his support for UNR, regularly attending games at Mackay Stadium and speaking at journalism classes, where he inspired countless students to pursue national media. In recognition of his contributions to the university, he was made a lifetime member of the UNR Foundation Board of Trustees, and he received a Professional Achievement Award from the school in 2012.

Ed passed away on August 23, 2026, with his family and loved ones by his side. He is survived by his daughter Shelly, son Branan, four grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Ed was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 42 years JoAnn, who passed away in March of 2006. In later years, he found joy and companionship with my mother Joanna Cortez.

Throughout my time knowing Ed, he was always dedicated to putting Nevada first and holding conversations with everyone, no matter their political party or background. I know he will be missed by his family, loved ones, and everyone who has had the honor of knowing him.

Madam President, I rise today to recognize a significant milestone for the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for infants, youth, and teens across northern Nevada for the last 50 years. Founded in 1976 as the Truckee Meadows Boys' Club with just one location in the center of town, BGCTM has grown to become a second home to nearly 14,500 youth in more than 55 locations across northern Nevada.

During visits over the years, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the club's dedication to not only providing a safe environment for kids to go before and after school and during school breaks, but also to creating an atmosphere encouraging growth and development beyond the traditional classroom setting.

Originally introduced to the Reno-Sparks community as a place for boys to play organized sports, attend special events, receive tutoring, or join a leadership society, the club was created as a positive outlet for boys to direct their energy and promote the overall development of a young person. In 1983, the club officially expanded to welcome girls to the organization, and they formally became known as the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows.

Over the years, BGCTM has continued to grow immensely in size, membership, and the number of activities offered to youth of all ages. Take for example the creation of BGCTM's first early learning center. Opened in 2008 to serve infants through age 5, it has since evolved into an array of nine early learning locations spread across northern Nevada.

Another example is the growth of BGCTM's athletic programming serving youth of all skill levels, like the Reno Ballers Basketball Program, which first launched in 1996 and still operates today as a premier sports league for families searching for low-cost, high-quality skill development.

In addition to introducing a wide variety of new programs and options for families over the last 50 years, BGCTM has never shied away from the challenge of serving children and families throughout every corner of our State. Pushing well beyond the boundaries of the Truckee Meadows, the club expanded services to our State's rural communities in 2008 and has since grown to operate clubhouses and school sites throughout Fernley, Ely, Tonopah, Lovelock, and Winnemucca--in addition to the many sites across Washoe County.

BGCTM also has a long history of going above and beyond to answer the call of families most in need in our region, serving up to 600,000 meals to youth every year, providing upwards of 90,000 bus rides to club locations, delivering gifts and family meals during the holiday season, and never turning away a family for an inability to pay the membership fee. Furthermore, the club offers parenting classes to help foster healthy family structures, provides accessible mental health services to families and staff through their Bright Futures Wellness Center, creates in-house workforce training opportunities to help youth develop their employability skills, and even administers college scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Of course, this work isn't done alone, and BGCTM has an extensive track record of collaborating with partners across our community to further enrich the programs and family services they offer.

This drive to serve our community is fueled by an incredibly dedicated staff across northern Nevada, spearheaded for nearly 31 years by Chief Executive Officer Mike Wurm who has been the catalyst for so much of the growth BGCTM has seen under his leadership. The club is also fortunate to benefit from a deeply involved board of directors and young leaders committee, regularly earning awards for their 100 percent giving status. For each of these reasons and more, BGCTM continues to serve as a model to Boys & Girls Clubs across the county, and I am grateful for their tireless work to support families across the Silver State.

Enabling all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens is certainly no small feat, but it is a mission BGCTM has always taken in stride. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the club remained open to support the children of essential workers and extended their daily hours, yet another example of BGCTM answering the call when our community needed them most. The club has cemented its legacy as an organization leading the charge on serving children and families across our region. I look forward to our continued work together, in addition to celebrating their achievements for many years to come.