Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in introducing the Music Under Severe Income Crisis (MUSIC) Act to support the entertainment industry impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. This legislation would expand the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) Program to include the many support and service companies, including convention and trade show organizers, that work with live event venues and performers and have been impacted by pandemic closures.
“Nevada’s renowned entertainment industry was hit hard by COVID-19, and it wasn’t just venues that suffered. Thousands of support and service businesses and their workers were also impacted by the pandemic, and this bill will ensure they aren’t left behind as our economy continues to recover,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’ll keep advocating for these vital programs to help Nevadans who support our entertainment industry get back on their feet.”
One of Senator Cortez Masto’s top priorities is ensuring Nevada’s hospitality, live entertainment, and tourism sectors have the resources and support they need as our economy continues to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. She helped pass over $15 billion in “Save Our Stages” relief, which created SVOG, for live entertainment venues to address the impacts of the pandemic. This provision provided vital relief to many live entertainment venues in Nevada, and the MUSIC Act aims to aid those left out of the initial program by expanding eligibility to include companies that support the live event industry. Senator Cortez Masto also introduced the bipartisan STEP Act. That bill has led to over $13 million in tourism related support to Nevada so far.
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