Senator Portman - Week in Review

Senator Portman - Photo from MSNBC This week, Senator Portman continued his efforts to get his bipartisan Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act—legislation that will help hold accountable companies like Backpage that knowingly facilitate online sex trafficking and get victims of trafficking the justice they deserve—signed into law. A Senate hearing on the bill will be held next week. Portman also introduced legislation to help low-income students pursue higher education, continued his efforts to raise awareness on the drug epidemic devastating our communities, and more. For a more in depth look at Senator Portman’s week, please see the following: Monday, September 11 Portman Welcomes the Support of Social Conservative Groups Backing Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act On Monday, Portman welcomed the support of social conservative groups behind the bipartisan Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act – legislation that will hold accountable companies that knowingly facilitate the trafficking of women and children online and ensure that victims get the justice they deserve.  The Faith & Freedom Coalition, the Family Research Council, the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Concerned Women for America, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, and Focus on the Family all endorsed the legislation.  The bill, widely supported by dozens of Ohio and national anti-human trafficking advocates and law enforcement and more, is the result of a two-year Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) inquiry, led by Senators Portman and Claire McCaskill (D-MO), which culminated in a report entitled “Backpage.com’s Knowing Facilitation of Online Sex Trafficking.” The report found that Backpage knowingly facilitated criminal sex trafficking of vulnerable women and children and then covered up evidence of these crimes in order to increase its own profits. “We have a moral responsibility to do everything we can to help stop the trafficking of women and children online, and I appreciate the support of these groups to this growing bipartisan effort,” said Portman. “Congress never intended to create a lawless internet where bad actors can engage in criminal activity online that they cannot engage in offline. Congress must fix this fundamental flaw so trafficking victims can get the justice they deserve.” “Our organizations write to strongly support the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act of 2017 which will empower law enforcement to effectively combat online sex trafficking hubs that provide a safe haven for modern day slave traders,” the conservative groups said.  “We commend you for shining a light on the online marketplaces that profit from the growing epidemic of sex trafficking in the United States, and we encourage Congress and President Trump to join your effort to amend Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to protect our most vulnerable citizens who are ensnared in the online sex trade." The Faith & Freedom Coalition, the Family Research Council, the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Concerned Women for America, and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation endorsed the bill in a letter here.  The letter of support from the Focus on the Family is here. Tuesday, September 12 Portman Discusses Jobs, Trade & the Future of NAFTA at Center for Strategic & International Studies Tuesday morning, Portman delivered remarks at an event titled “NAFTA Renegotiation: Strengthening North American Prosperity and Competitiveness” sponsored by the George W. Bush Institute and the Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS). Portman, a former United States Trade Representative, discussed the importance of trade to jobs and our economy, his support for expanding markets for American-made products and holding countries accountable who violate our trade laws, and the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Portman has said consistently that NAFTA should be modernized and updated in order to expand market access, create more jobs, and boost wages. He has indicated that he will continue to work closely with the administration as they work to promote U.S. exports and protect against unfair imports by updating NAFTA for the 21st century. Transcript of his remarks can be found here and a video of the event can be found here. On Fox News, Portman Discusses Need for Tax Reform to Help Bring Back Jobs & Boost Wages During an interview on Fox News, Senator Portman discussed the need to enact comprehensive tax reform to help boost wages and bring back jobs and investments lost to overseas competitors. Portman, who has recently hosted tax reform roundtables with local business leaders in Columbus, Dayton, Cleveland and Cincinnati, has been a leader in efforts to reform the tax code and protect taxpayer rights. Said Portman in the interview, “tax relief is necessary to give the economy a shot in the arm and also tax reform is needed for simplification and changing the international system so we can begin to bring some of these jobs and investment back here.” Excerpts from the interview can be found here and you can watch the video here. Portman Introduces Legislation to Remove Barriers, Provide Support for Homeless and Foster Students in Higher Education Senators Portman and Patty Murray (D-WA), and Representatives Don Young (R-AK) and Katherine Clark (D-MA) introduced the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act today to help remove barriers and provide support to help homeless and foster kids access and succeed in higher education. “Kids in foster care face an uphill battle when they pursue higher education.  It is in all of our interests to help these kids who have aged out of the foster care system or have experienced homelessness and ensure that services for them are a priority in existing federal programs,” said Senator Portman. “This common-sense legislation will remove unnecessary barriers and make college more affordable these youth.  It will support college retention, and greater success in higher education to allow these youth people to graduate, pursue their dreams, and achieve their God-given potential.” For more information on the bill, go here. State Department Nominee Confirms Support for Bipartisan Counter-Propaganda Law Eric Ueland, nominee for Under Secretary of State for Management, confirmed to U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) that he would, if confirmed, work to ensure that the State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC) works effectively to push back against foreign disinformation and propaganda and receive the resources it needs. Portman is the author of the bipartisan Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act, legislation signed-into-law last year, which increases the authority, resources, and mandate of the GEC to include state actors like Russia and China as well as non-state actors. Portman has called on the State Department to use the funds authorized in their legislation to get the GEC up and running so it can begin to develop, integrate, and synchronize whole-of-government initiatives to expose and counter foreign disinformation operations by our adversaries and proactively advance fact-based narratives that support U.S. allies and interests. Transcript of the questioning can be found here and a video can be found here. Wednesday, September 13 At Forum on the Opioid Epidemic, Portman Presses for Senate Action on the Bipartisan STOP Act Portman discussed the opioid crisis in Ohio and around the country at an event hosted by The Hill titled “America's Opioid Epidemic: Search for Solutions.” Portman has been a national leader in the fight against the opioid epidemic. Last year, his bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act (CARA) was signed-into-law. This bill ensures that federal resources are focused on evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery programs so that it can make a difference in people’s lives. Now, he is pressing or action on his bipartisan Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act, legislation designed to help stop dangerous synthetic drugs like fentanyl and carfentanil from being shipped through our borders to drug traffickers here in the United States. A video of his remarks can be found here and excerpts can be found here. Portman, Blumenthal Welcome Commerce Committee Hearing on the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act Senator Portman and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) praised Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) for announcing a hearing next week on the bipartisan Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act: “We want to thank Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson for holding this hearing on the bipartisan Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act.  We look forward to hearing both supporters and opponents of this bipartisan bill publicly defend their positions.  As support for this legislation continues to grow, we must act with urgency to hold online sex traffickers accountable for their active role in these crimes against women and children.” Thursday, September 14 On Bloomberg TV, Portman Says Tax Reform Will Create Jobs, Increase Wages, Boost Middle Class “There is nothing that would have a bigger bang for the buck than the right kind of tax reform,” said Portman during an interview Thursday morning on Bloomberg Television. That’s why Senator Portman is urging his colleagues in Congress to act on pro-growth tax reform that will help boost wages and bring back jobs and investments lost to overseas competitors. Portman, who has recently hosted tax reform roundtables with local business leaders in Columbus, Dayton, Cleveland and Cincinnati, has been a leader in efforts to reform the tax code and protect taxpayer rights. Excerpts of the interview can be found here and a video can be found here. Friday, September 15 In Cincinnati, Portman Hosts Discussion on Human Trafficking and Tours Valley Interfaith Community Resource Center Portman hosted a roundtable discussion regarding efforts to combat human trafficking with staff at Valley Interfaith Community Resource Center, local law enforcement, and local community partners. Following the meeting Portman toured the Valley Interfaith Community Resource Center, a non-profit that works to help women in the community break the cycle of poverty, offers emergency assistance of food and clothing to those in need, and connects clients with other community partners as needed. Portman recorded this video. Portman Announces Four New CARA Grants to Combat Opioid Crisis in Ohio Portman issued the following statement on the Trump administration’s announcement of four new Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act (CARA) grants to help prevent and treat opioid addiction gripping communities in Ohio: “These four new grants will help those on the frontlines in Ohio combat this crisis as we work together to turn the tide of addiction. I’m pleased to see that my CARA legislation is being implemented and funded to address the comprehensive challenge of combatting addiction. While these CARA grant programs are now being funded, we have much more ahead of us. In the coming months, I hope Congress will act to pass the bipartisan legislation to help stop dangerous synthetic drugs like fentanyl from being shipped into our communities, help stop overprescribing, and lift the cap on Medicaid funding for residential treatment facilities.” NOTE: The following four grant awards for Ohio include: $500,000 in first responders grant funding for the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board Board for Montgomery County (Dayton). $500,000 in first responders grant funding for the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Lorain County. $493,080 in first responders grant funding for the Metrohealth Medical Center in Cleveland. $2 million for the Ohio State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in Columbus. These grants build upon authorizations in Senator Portman’s recently signed-into-law and bipartisanComprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act (CARA). This legislation ensures that federal resources are focused on evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery programs that have proven effective in local communities so that it can make a difference in people’s lives. Portman is currently working to get his bipartisan Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act, legislation as well as his Prescription Drug Monitoring Act, and Medicaid CARE Act signed into law. Portman Helps Secure $250,000 in Funding for Portsmouth to Fight Opioid Epidemic Portman announced that the city of Portsmouth will receive $250,000 after being named one of the 10 Rural Health Opioid Program Awardees in the United States by the Heath Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). Portman advocated for Portsmouth to receive this funding to help fight back the opioid epidemic in this letter. Portman released the following statement: “Ohio has been hit hard by the drug epidemic, and communities like Portsmouth need additional resources to help fight back. This funding will help Portsmouth give those on the frontlines the resources they need to treat those who are addicted. As we focus on best practices and provide more resources to address this issue, Ohioans will have better access to addiction treatment and long-term treatment and recovery programs that work.” U.S. Senators Portman, Baldwin, Casey and Collins Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Save Perkins Loan Programs Senators Portman, Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Bob Casey (D-PA) have introduced bipartisan legislation to extend the federal Perkins Loan Program for two years. This popular and effective campus-based financial aid program that benefits many low-income undergraduate students is set to expire on September 30. Unless Congress acts, approximately 1,500 colleges and universities across the country will not be able to make these low-interest loans, leaving approximately 500,000 students without access to an important source of financial aid. “No one should be denied the chance to pursue higher education simply because of their financial status,” said Senator Portman. “For years, the assistance of the Perkins Loan Program has helped low-income students attend college—oftentimes as the first generation of their family to do so. Two years ago, Congress came together in a bipartisan way to extend this program. This legislation will extend those efforts and continue providing students the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.” For more information, go here. Portman, Brown Demand Action on Steel Investigation Portman and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) demanded action on the Administration’s investigation into steel imports and their impact on national security. In April, the Commerce Department launched an investigation into the impact of certain steel imports on national security, known as a 232 investigation. It has been months since then, and the delay has allowed foreign competitors to dump steel into the U.S. before the results of the investigation take effect. In a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, the Senators urged the Administration to make its determination soon before more steel can flood the U.S. steel market. “We know that this Administration understands the consequences of global steel overcapacity and the flood of steel imports for U.S. steel producers,” said the Senators in their letter. “Further postponement of the Section 232 investigation will invite a growing deluge of steel imports into the U.S. and cause even greater damage to the U.S. steel sector. We urge you to conclude the Section 232 steel investigation expeditiously to prevent the idling of additional U.S. steel facilities and the layoffs of more U.S. steelworkers.”  For more information, go here. Senate Passes Portman, Brown Resolution Declaring National “Isaac M. Wise Temple Day” This week, the Senate passed Portman and Brown’s resolution designating Sept. 16, 2017 as national “Isaac M. Wise Temple Day.” Portman and Brown’s resolution marks the 175th anniversary of the Isaac M. Wise Congregation and the 150th anniversary of the Isaac M. Wise Temple, also known as the Plum Street Temple, in Cincinnati. “When I visit Plum Street Temple I am amazed by its beauty and am so proud of the legacy of Rabbi Wise, both in Cincinnati and around the world,” said Portman. “I am glad to join Senator Brown in sponsoring this resolution and wish a heartfelt congratulations and mazel tov to my friends at Wise on reaching this milestone.” For more information, go here. On Social Media Portman calls on Trump administration to implement his opioid crisis law Sen. Rob Portman said Wednesday that the government is too slow in implementing key elements of his drug addiction treatment and recovery bill, which was signed into law last year and which outlines concrete steps the Trump administration can take to fulfill his August declaration that the opioid crisis is a national emergency. “I think [administration officials] have a commitment to it. I think the president himself has a passion for this issue,” the Ohio Republican told a conference in D.C. on solutions to the opioid epidemic. At least 21 million people in the U.S. have a substance abuse problem, according to federal data, and the number of opioid-related deaths in 2016 is estimated at over 60,000. “I think we should move more quickly in implementing the programs in the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act [CARA] — in particular it gives them [the administration] the authorization to do a number of things,” he said, pointing out that a recently formed task force to develop best practices for prescribing pain medications was a major CARA provision. (“Portman calls on Trump administration to implement his opioid crisis law,” Laura Kelly. Washington Times. September 13, 2017) Senator wants Google, Facebook to testify on sex-trafficking bill A Republican senator wants Google and Facebook to publicly defend their opposition, articulated through one of their top trade groups, to a bill aimed at stopping sex-trafficking. The companies say it would imperil them legally. The bigger picture: Large tech companies are no longer sacred in Washington and lawmakers keep suggesting their executives should testify. The details: The Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing next week on the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act. It would weaken a provision that protects websites like Google, Facebook and YouTube from being sued for what their users post, so that trafficking victims could sue sites that facilitated the crime. The industry has said this could have disastrous consequences for the platform business model…. (“Senator wants Google, Facebook to testify on sex-trafficking bill,” David McCabe. Axios. September 14, 2017) Get Moving on STOP to Fight Fentanyl In February, Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio) and U.S. Rep. Pat Tiberi (R., Columbus) targeted the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl by introducing versions of the Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention Act in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The bills have inexplicably languished in Congress. But a recent Ohio report must add a sense of urgency for lawmakers. The Ohio Department of Health reported recently that unintentional drug overdoses killed 4,050 people in 2016, a sharp spike of 1,000 deaths from the previous year. More than 50 percent of the deaths are from fentanyl. …. In recent years, the surge in overdose deaths in Ohio — and the country — has been linked to heroin and opioids. But the main culprit now is fentanyl, a deadlier and even more addictive drug. The STOP Act is one way to combat the flow of the drug into the marketplace. The bills received bipartisan support upon introduction in both houses of Congress. There is little objection to them. The recent Ohio report proves that lawmakers need to act with a sense of urgency. (“Get Moving on STOP to Fight Fentanyl,” Editorial. Toledo Blade. September 13, 2017) Defense Tour Heartens Senator The Buckeye State is fortunate to be home to some of the finest military facilities in the country, and our armed forces are fortunate to have some of Ohio’s best and brightest serving our country. …. In central Ohio, I visited the Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base and Battelle’s Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Columbus and the Central Ohio Aerospace and Technology Center in Heath. At Rickenbacker, I met with leadership of the 121st Air Refueling Wing to discuss their critical role in aerial refueling of bombers and other aircraft and the need for upgrades to their equipment. At the Central Ohio Aerospace and Technology Center, I saw a terrific example of public-private partnerships where employees work to ensure that Air Force equipment is properly calibrated and tested for safe, successful missions by aviators everywhere. And at Battelle’s Advanced Manufacturing Facility, I examined the armored commercial vehicles that their employees in central Ohio build to assist military operations across the globe. (“Defense Tour Heartens Senator,” LTE – Rob Portman. Columbus Dispatch. September 13, 2017)