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Reproductive Rights Podcast
LIVE from Reno: Sen. Cortez Masto on Abortion Rights, Nevada, and the Midterms – My Body. My Pod. Episode 28
A special live-recorded episode with Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto on protecting abortion rights, reaching voters across party lines, and what’s at stake in the 2026 midterms.
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We’re LIVE from Reno, Nevada!
Mini Timmaraju sits down with U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, the first Latina elected to the U.S. Senate, for a conversation about abortion rights, Question 6, and what a politically competitive state like Nevada can tell us about reproductive freedom in America right now.
Nevada is a purple state. Its voters don’t fit neatly into partisan boxes. And when reproductive freedom has gone before voters, abortion-rights protections have repeatedly drawn broad support. Over, and over, and over again. Now? With Question 6 returning to the ballot in 2026, Nevada is once again in the spotlight.
Key Takeaways in this Episode
- Nevada has been at the forefront of protecting reproductive freedom for decades. In 1990, Nevada voters overwhelmingly approved protections for abortion rights.
- Nevadans are being asked to protect reproductive freedom in the 2026 midterms, this time by enshrining those rights in the state constitution through Question 6.
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- State protections can’t stop federal attacks. Sen. Cortez Masto discusses protecting the right to travel for abortion care, and supporting providers.
- Agreement on abortion rights crosses party lines. Republicans, Independents, and Democrats support reproductive freedom.
- The 2026 midterms will shape reproductive rights. Congressional majorities can investigate the Trump administration, block harmful nominees, and pass federal protections for abortion access.
In this episode, Mini and Sen. Cortez Masto dig into:
- Why the issue of abortion continues to resonate across party lines in a purple state like Nevada
- What Nevada’s repeated votes on abortion rights tell us about the enduring salience of reproductive freedom
- Question 6 and the 2026 vote to enshrine reproductive freedom in the Nevada Constitution
- The Nevadans who supported Question 6 while also voting for Donald Trump—and what that complicated political picture tells us about voters
- Why Nevada’s independent streak and emphasis on privacy and personal freedom have shaped the state’s conversation about abortion
- Why state protections alone can’t shield abortion access from federal threats
- Sen. Cortez Masto’s push to protect the right to travel for abortion care—and Nevada providers facing uncertainty over treating patients coming from states with abortion bans
- The growing stakes surrounding Trump administration officials like Attorney General Todd Blanche and FDA nominee Dr. Heidi Overton.
A Closer Look at Abortion Rights in Nevada
Nevada has a long history of protecting reproductive freedom. In 1990, Nevada voters went to the ballot box to protect abortion rights in state law.
During the podcast filming, Sen. Cortez Masto asked who in the audience was there fighting for abortion rights in Nevada in 1990—and hands went straight up. More than three decades later, Nevadans are being asked to weigh in again through Question 6.
Mini and Sen. Cortez Masto talk about what Nevada can teach the rest of the country, why reproductive freedom continues to resonate with voters across party lines, and why the 2026 midterms are a critical opportunity to fight back.
The Majority of Americans Support Abortion Rights
“This rises above party politics,” says Sen. Cortez Masto. “It’s about the rights of women to make that decision about their bodies. When we talk about reproductive freedom, it is healthcare. How in the 21st century, can you deny a woman access to that health care? It is outrageous to me.”
As Sen. Cortez Masto tells Mini, Nevadans have a strong independent streak. They believe in privacy, personal freedom, and the right to make decisions about their own bodies and lives.
Those values are shared across party lines.
During her own campaigns, Sen. Cortez Masto shares how Democrats, independents, and Republicans came together around reproductive freedom because they believe in the right to make their own decisions about their bodies and health care.
Big Picture
“It is important for us to continue in this fight,” says Sen. Cortez Masto. “Even though we fought the fight in 1990, we’re doing it again. And I am so proud of Nevada because we are at the forefront of it and have always been.”
Protecting reproductive freedom at the state level is only part of the fight.
With the Trump administration and their anti-abortion allies escalating attacks on abortion access nationwide, even states that have protected abortion rights aren’t immune from federal threats.
Mini and Sen. Masto Cortez point to two recent Trump officials who make that threat especially clear: Attorney General Todd Blanche and FDA nominee Dr. Heidi Overton.
Blanche has pledged to pursue abortion restrictions nationwide, while Overton has a record of promoting anti-abortion claims about mifepristone and could have enormous power over access to medication abortion if confirmed to lead the FDA.
Their conversation underscores why federal elections matter even in states like Nevada that have protected abortion rights.
Take Action in the 2026 Midterms
Reproductive freedom is on the ballot in Nevada and across the country. Make your voting plan, see the candidates and ballot measures we’re supporting, and help elect reproductive freedom champions up and down the ballot.
3 Ways to Take Action Now
Nevada: Commit to Vote Yes on Question 6 in 2026!
Commit to vote Yes on Question 6 in 2026 to permanently protect access to abortion.
Get Ready to Vote!
Reproductive freedom is on the line in this election. Make sure you're ready to vote! Find voter resources, tools, and everything you need to be prepared.
Become a Nevada Volunteer!
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ABOUT THE PODCAST
MY BODY. MY POD. WITH MINI TIMMARAJU.
The fight for reproductive freedom is more urgent than ever.
That’s why we’re bringing you My Body. My Pod. with Mini Timmaraju, a reproductive freedom podcast.
If you’re into building a nationwide movement to protect and expand health justice, reproductive equity, and the power of people to control their own lives, this show is for you.
Hear from leaders and changemakers who share wisdom from the front lines, stories of the real struggles people are facing every day, and a vision for the future we’re determined to win.
Hosted by Mini Timmaraju, President and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All. Available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
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Reproductive Freedom for All is made up of members across the country who believe that everybody should be free to control their own bodies and lives—and we want you to be a part of it.
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