Word on the Hill: Cortez Masto and Latina Staffers

By Alex Gangitano

Posted March 15, 2017 at 12:01am

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., met with Latina Senate staffers on Monday for a roundtable discussion on the importance of women and students of color getting access to internships and employment opportunities on Capitol Hill.

They also discussed obstacles women face in a Senate office and brainstormed other ways to address issues pertaining to a lack of diversity.

The meeting was the first of its kind, which her office is calling “Cafecito con Catherine.”

Boustany to lobbying firm

Former Rep. Charles Boustany Jr., R-La., who vacated his seat last cycle for an unsuccessful Senate run, has been named a partner at Capitol Counsel, a D.C.-based bipartisan lobbying firm. He is expected to focus on health care, tax, and trade, according to the firm’s press release.

Boustany finished third in the Louisiana Senate jungle primary last fall, missing the runoff later won by fellow Republican John Kennedy.

Tea party day of action

Tea Party Patriots and FreedomWorks are teaming up to hold a joint “Day of Action” on the Hill today. Group members will meet up at 1 p.m. in the Upper Senate Park for a rally with Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. The attendees will then go to Senate and House offices to talk with elected officials about confirming Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, repealing the 2010 health care law, and lowering taxes.

Nowruz in the Senate

An early celebration of the Iranian New Year, commonly known as “Nowruz,” takes place today in 325 Russell Senate Office Building from noon to 2 p.m. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., former Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, I-Conn., and former homeland security adviser Frances Townsend are expected to attend.

Awards for Bates and Biden

Research!America’s Advocacy Awards dinner honors actress Kathy Bates and former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., among others, today. The event takes place at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium (1301 Constitution Ave. NW) at 7 p.m. and is invite-only.

Staffer shuffle

Kyle Sanders has joined Chamber Hill Strategies, a bipartisan government affairs firm, as a principal. He was recently legislative director and counsel for Rep. David Rouzer, R-N.C.

Overheard

“Guys I got to go throw a snowball with my daughter.”

-Sen. Bill Cassidy to a group of reporters on Tuesday.

“I don’t think he has special dispensation.”

-White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on whether Sen. Tom Cotton, who has been critical of a House-White House health overhaul bill and how leaders have handled its roll out, is being given a long leash by administration officials.

“Oh nice!”

-Sen. Amy Klobuchar, informed by Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer that the two of them would be staying after opening statements to field questions from reporters.