Sen. Portman - Rob's Rundown: Week of October 23-27, 2017

Senator Portman started his week in Cleveland where he hosted another tax reform roundtable to receive input from local business leaders. He also visited the Cleveland Clinic with Seema Verma, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to see the innovative work being done at the hospital. In D.C., Portman continued to focus on simplifying and reforming our broken tax code to help create more jobs, boost wages, and give our economy a shot in the arm. He also continued his push to get the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act signed into law to help end online human trafficking. In addition to his focus on tax reform and ending sex trafficking, Portman attended President Trump’s White House speech on the opioid crisis, urged the State Department to designate North Korea a state sponsor of terror, and more. For a more in depth look at Senator Portman’s week, please see the following:
Monday, October 23

Portman Hosts Tax Reform Roundtable, Receives Input from Cleveland Small Business Leaders

hosted a roundtable discussion in Cleveland with the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) and small business leaders to receive input on Congress’ effort to simplify and reform our tax system in a way that creates more jobs, increases wages, and encourages more investment in America. Earlier this year, Portman hosted a similar roundtable discussion with the Greater Cleveland Partnership. Portman released this video and the following statement:

“Our tax code is too burdensome, too complicated, and decades out of date. With small business leaders in Cleveland today, I was able to receive a lot of input on how we can make our tax code work better for small businesses, Ohio workers, middle-class families, and investment by bringing money locked out overseas back to America. Instead of encouraging our companies to take jobs and investments overseas and making it easier for foreign corporations to buy up our companies, we should be creating incentives to create jobs here and give American workers a competitive advantage and better wages. I am optimistic that Congress can deliver soon for workers and small businesses here in Cleveland and across Ohio who deserve a better tax system.”

Portman has been a leader in efforts to simplify and reform our broken tax code.  This year, Portman has also hosted tax reform roundtables in Columbus with local business leaders, in Dayton with the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, in Cincinnati with the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, and most recently in Springfield with the Springfield Chamber of Commerce.   Last week, Senator Portman embarked on an Ohio Auto Manufacturing Jobs Tour, during which he covered more than 700 miles crossing Ohio over three days and discussed how tax reform will benefit auto manufacturers. Portman recently jointed House and Senate GOP leaders in unveiling a unified framework to achieve pro-growth tax reform. The full framework can be found here, and a one page overview can be found here.
Last Congress, three Portman-authored bills designed to help in this effort to stop IRS abuses were signed into law by then-President Barack Obama. Portman has been named a “Hero of Main Street” and “Fiscal Hero” for his work on these issues.
In 2015, Portman reached a bipartisan agreement with Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who is now the Senate Minority Leader, on a framework for international tax reform, an effort that could serve as a basis for broader reforms.
Photos from the event can be found here.

Portman Announces New CARA Grant for Franklin County, Ohio to Help Combat Opioid Crisis

Portman issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Justice awarded a Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act (CARA) grant of $399,999 to help prevent and treat opioid addiction gripping communities in Franklin County, Ohio:

“This grant will help those on the frontlines in Franklin County combat this crisis as we work together to help turn the tide of addiction. We need more partnerships line this one between health officials, law enforcement, prevention experts, and treatment providers all working together to address the prescription drug and opioid epidemic. This funding will help them to develop alternatives to incarceration as well as comprehensive programs to expand outreach, treatment, and recovery efforts for those impacted by the epidemic in the justice system community. I’m pleased to see that my CARA legislation is being implemented to address the comprehensive challenge of combatting addiction. In the coming months, I hope Congress will continue to act on this epidemic by passing my bipartisan STOP Act, legislation to help stop dangerous synthetic drugs like fentanyl from being shipped into our communities, help stop overprescribing through my bipartisan Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Act, and lift the cap on Medicaid funding for residential treatment facilities through my bipartisan Medicaid CARE Act.”

NOTE: The $399,999 grant was awarded to the Franklin County Office of Homeland Security and Justice Programs for funding in the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-Based Program FY17 Competitive Grant Program administered by the Department of Justice. Portman sent a letter in April 2017 in support of Franklin County’s grant request.
Senator Portman’s bipartisanComprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act (CARA) law 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, Stabenow Lead Bipartisan Senate Great Lakes Task Force Letter to OMB Director Calling for $300 Million for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in Next Year’s Budget

Senators Portman and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), co-chairs of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, today led a bipartisan letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney calling for $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to be included in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget request.  Great Lakes Task Force Vice Chairs Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Todd Young (R-IN) and Task Force members Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bob Casey (D-PA), Al Franken (D-MN), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) also signed the letter.

“Now is not the time to scale back our nation’s commitment to restore the Great Lakes environment and economy,” wrote the lawmakers.  “Because of the partnership we have with federal agencies our region is making progress and seeing results.  The GLRI is a locally driven restoration effort and its success depends on the collaboration between all levels of government and with industrial, commercial, and non-governmental partners. We again ask that you include $300 million for the GLRI in next year’s budget request.”

A PDF of the letter can be found here.
Tuesday, October 24

Portman Urges Action on STOP Act with Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Nominee

On Wednesday, Portman questioned Kevin McAleenan, nominee for Commissioner—and current Acting Commissioner—of U.S. Customs and Border Protection on his plan to prevent dangerous synthetic drugs like fentanyl from being shipped from countries like China to drug traffickers in Ohio and around the United States. Portman is pressing for action on his bipartisan Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act, legislation designed to help stop these dangerous drugs from being shipped through our borders to drug traffickers here in the United States.
Transcript can be found here and a video can be found here.

 

On Fox News, Portman Talks Tax Reform, Jobs & Visit with President Trump 

During an interview on Fox News, Senator Portman discussed how tax reform will help create more jobs and better jobs, increase wages, and boost the middle class. Portman, who on Monday held another tax reform roundtable with small business leaders in Cleveland, also discussed the tax reform meeting with President Trump scheduled for Tuesday afternoon and his hope that Congress can work together on a bipartisan basis to simplify and reform our broken tax code on behalf of American families.
Excerpts of the interview can be found here and a video can be found here.

Wednesday, October 25

Portman, Brown Announce Ohio Locations for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Encourage Ohioans to Participate

Senators Portman and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced more than 250 sites where Ohioans can safely dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs on “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” on Saturday, October 28 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in an effort to provide safe, convenient and responsible means for disposal of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse and medications.

“Four out of five people addicted to opioids start out using prescription drugs. That’s why it’s so important to safely dispose of all unnecessary prescription medications,” said Portman. “I’m pleased that so many communities in our state are participating in this event and I urge all Ohioans to clean out their medicine cabinets and take advantage of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Together, we can help turn the tide of addiction and ensure that every Ohioan reaches their God-given potential.”

For more information, go here.

Portman Statement on Rescinding CFPB Arbitration Rule

Portman issued the following statement after voting to rescind a controversial rule published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that would harm the interests of consumers:

“I strongly support efforts to protect consumers from unscrupulous business practices.  Unfortunately, I have significant concerns that this rule, as currently drafted, would actually do more harm than good and benefit trial lawyers far more than it would consumers.  This rule would, in most cases, have the practical effect of eliminating arbitration as a tool for dispute resolution entirely, even though many consumers prefer a low-cost arbitration option instead of going to court.  In addition, the CFPB’s own study reveals that consumers who use the arbitration process frequently get better results than those who hire trial lawyers to file class actions lawsuits.  Lastly, repealing this rule does not preclude Congress or the CFPB from acting in the future on this very issue in a way that would better protect the interests of consumers rather than trial lawyers.”

On CNN & CNBC, Portman Discusses How Tax Reform Will Create Jobs & Boost Wages

During interviews on CNN and CNBC Wednesday morning, Senator Portman discussed the strong GOP support for simplifying and reforming our broken tax code, saying that it will help create more and better jobs, increase wages, and boost the middle class. Portman also discussed yesterday’s lunch with President Trump and the need to work on a bipartisan basis to get things done for the American people.
Excerpts of the interviews can be found here. A video of the CNN interview can be found here and a video of the CNBC interview can be found here.
Thursday, October 26

Portman Attends White House Opioid Event, Calls Public Health Emergency Declaration a “Positive Step Forward”

Portman issued the following statement on attending President Trump’s speech at the White House where he is declaring the opioid crisis a public health emergency:

“There is no doubt that this heroin and prescription drug epidemic is a national crisis, and it’s getting worse, not better.  The president’s decision to declare this epidemic a public health emergency is a positive step forward, and I’m hopeful it will lead to a better coordinated federal response to this crisis.  I have spoken to the president in depth about this epidemic and the devastating impact it is having on our communities in Ohio and around the country, and I know he is committed to addressing it in a comprehensive way.  I look forward to seeing the final recommendations of the president’s opioid commission in the coming weeks.

“While Congress has made some progress in addressing this crisis by enacting the Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act and the 21st Century CURES Act last year, we can and must do more.  I’m pushing the Senate to act as quickly as possible on four bipartisan bills, including the STOP Act to help stop dangerous synthetic drugs from being shipped into our country, the Prescription Drug Monitoring Act, which will help stop overprescribing, the Medicaid CARE Act to lift the cap on Medicaid funding for mental health and substance abuse facilities, and the CRIB Act to help newborns born dependent on drugs recover.  We must also work to continue to provide additional resources to combat this epidemic.

“The American people deserve a comprehensive plan to help turn the tide of addiction, and that will require a greater sense of urgency on the part of the administration, this Congress, and key stakeholders in this debate.” 

Photos from the even can be found here.

With Deadline Approaching, Senator Portman Urges State Department to List North Korea as State Sponsor of Terrorism

With a November 1 deadline quickly approaching, Portman on Thursday again urged the State Department to list North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism:

“The State Department has until Wednesday to let Congress know if North Korea meets the criteria to be relisted as a state sponsor of terrorism. I think the case is clear. They were removed from the list almost a decade ago with promises from the regime to limit their nuclear program. That clearly didn’t happen, and their destabilizing actions around the world have only continued. This would be one more important step to exert peaceful pressure on the North Korean regime and has received broad, bipartisan support in Congress. If this administration chooses not to relist North Korea, I would hope that the president and Secretary Tillerson clearly explain the rationale for such a decision to the American people and the Congress.” 

NOTE: Under the recently-enacted Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, the State Department must inform Congress by November 1 on whether it will list North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism.  Portman led a bipartisan letter on October 2 urging the State Department to re-list the rogue regime.
Friday, October 27

Portman, Bipartisan Coalition Urge DOJ to Reverse Cuts to Critical Halfway Houses and Other Programs that Reduce Recidivism

Senator Portman, along with Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Al Franken (D-MN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Brian Schatz (D-HI), led a bipartisan letter expressing concern to leaders in the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Prisons over the elimination of key programming in the Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) revised Statement of Work (SOW). The Senators, all of whom strongly support efforts to reform our federal prison system by focusing scarce federal resources on efforts that reduce recidivism and improve public safety, urged that these programs be reinstated.

“We believe that these changes in programming and personnel will compromise public safety, decrease inmate accountability, and lead to increased recidivism rates,” the Members wrote.  “We also understand that the BOP is reducing its use of Residential Reentry Centers without explanation or advance notice to those most affected.  As a consequence, inmates are spending more time in prison, being released directly from prison into the community without the necessary supervision, or spending insufficient time in transitional facilities.  These changes, particularly in the absence of a justification, threaten to make our communities less safe while increasing BOP operating costs over time.”

The letter can be found here.
On Social Media









How Federal Law Protects Online Sex Traffickers
IT IS A stain on our national character that sex trafficking is increasing in this country, in this century, and experts say it is happening because of the internet and the ruthless efficiency of online sex trafficking.
Sex trafficking has moved from the street corner to the smartphone, and online sex trafficking has predominately occurred through one website: Backpage.com.
Headlines tell the tragic stories: In March 2013, police reported that a Miami pimp forced a teen to tattoo his name on her eyelids. In June 2017 in Chicago, feds charged a man for prostituting a 16-year-old girl before her murder. That same month, three people were accused of pimping a pregnant teen for sex.
These heinous crimes, and countless others, involve Backpage, and yet the website has repeatedly evaded justice for its role in child sex trafficking…
(“How Federal Law Protects Online Sex Traffickers,” Rob Portman. WIRED. October 24, 2017.

Sen. Rob Portman: Flake and Corker will support tax reform despite blasting Trump
Sen. Rob Portman told CNBC on Wednesday that fellow Republicans will vote to approve tax reform despite any issues they may have with President Donald Trump.
Portman said he's friends with GOP Sens. Jeff Flake and Bob Corker, and they said they intend to support a bill that would change the U.S. tax code.
Flake and Corker — both of whom won't be seeking re-election next year — took their public feuds with Trump to the next level Tuesday even as they joined their GOP Senate colleagues for lunch with the president.
"Both of them are for tax reform," Portman said in a "Squawk Box" interview on Wednesday. "The notion I've heard this morning that they're somehow going to vote the other way because of their views about the president is crazy," the Ohio Republican continued. "They're going to do what's best for the people they represent."
…
(“Sen. Rob Portman: Flake and Corker will support tax reform despite blasting Trump,” Berkeley Lovelace. CNBC. October 25, 2017)

Sen. Rob Portman says tax overhaul ‘doable’ by year’s end
Sen. Rob Portman said it was “doable” for the Senate to push through a major overhaul of the U.S. tax code designed to reduce income tax rates on individuals and companies in exchange for scrubbing scores of deductions from the code.
In an interview Tuesday on Fox News, Portman, R-Ohio, said revising the code is “doable because we spent years on this. We’re long overdue in reforming a broken tax code.”
“I think there is a consensus now that there is a way to fix this code to bring back more jobs and investment and to help middle-class families be able to get ahead,” Portman said.
Portman, a longtime advocate of overhauling the tax code, expressed hope in getting “some Democratic support.”
But he acknowledged that there is a “fundamental” difference between Republicans and Democrats on which taxes to reduce and how cutting taxes will impact the swollen federal budget deficit.
“We Republicans believe that if you do the kinds of things we’re talking about, you’ll have more economic growth and therefore more revenue and you will actually be able to help the deficit, and those are just some differences we’ll have to work out,” Portman said…
(“Sen. Rob Portman says tax overhaul ‘doable’ by year’s end,” Jack Torry. Columbus Dispatch. October 24, 2017)