Senator Portman - Rob's Rundown: Week of October 9-13, 2017

This week, Senator Portman embarked on an Ohio Auto Manufacturing Jobs Tour, during which he covered more than 700 miles crossing Ohio over three days to learn more about recent auto investments into Ohio, raise awareness for the economic impact of the automotive industry in our state, and discuss how tax reform will benefit auto manufacturers. Portman is Co-Chair of the Senate Auto Caucus, which provides a forum to exchange ideas and influence policy on issues affecting America’s auto industry, such as tax reform, trade, transportation and technology. For a more in-depth look at his week in Ohio, please see the following: Wednesday, October 11 Portman Tours Ford Sharonville Transmission Plant, Talks Tax Reform & Jobs On the first stop of his Ohio Auto Manufacturing Jobs Tour, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) visited Ford’s Sharonville Transmission Plant, where he discussed tax reform and how it will benefit Ohio’s auto manufacturers and their workers.  After his visit, Portman recorded this video and released the following statement: “It was great to visit with Ford’s leaders and workers in Sharonville, home to one of the best transmission plant in the world. Ohio is a leader in automobile manufacturing and today I saw firsthand how our workers are at the cutting edge of innovation and development. As the Co-Chair of the Senate Auto Caucus, I will continue to fight for policies that will keep out auto industry in Ohio vibrant and strong. “We know that simplifying our broken tax code will create more American jobs and increase wages, but it will also provide a significant boost to Ohio’s auto manufacturers and their workers.  When Ohio manufacturers have a level playing field, we can compete and win against anyone. Unfortunately, for too long, our tax code has caused American manufacturers to compete with one hand tied behind their back. Our corporate tax rate is the highest among any of our global competitors, and our international tax code penalizes companies that want to bring money home to reinvest in the United States. That’s unacceptable. By lowering tax rates for individuals and businesses, and getting rid of tax loopholes used primarily by a select few, we can put more money back into workers’ paychecks, create more jobs here at home, and jumpstart our economy.” NOTE: During his Ohio Auto Manufacturing Jobs Tour, Portman will cover more than 700 miles crossing Ohio over three days to learn more about recent auto investments into Ohio, raise awareness for the economic impact of the automotive industry in our state, and discuss how tax reform will benefit auto manufacturers.  Portman is a strong supporter and advocate for Ohio’s auto industry, which employs more than 108,000 Ohioans and contributes more than $13 billion annually to Ohio’s economy.  With Ohio’s vast manufacturing supply chain, competitive energy costs, and cutting edge research, Ohio is well positioned to continue to be a leader in automotive manufacturing. Portman has been a leader in efforts to simplify and reform our broken tax code.  This year, Portman has hosted tax reform roundtables in Columbus and Dayton with local business leaders, in Cleveland with the Greater Cleveland Partnership, and in Cincinnati with the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.  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. Photos of the event can be found here. Thursday, October 12 Portman Visits General Motors Parma Metal Center to Discuss How Tax Reform Will Benefit Auto Manufacturers Portman’s second visit was to General Motors Parma Metal Center in Cleveland where he discussed tax reform and how it will benefit Ohio’s auto manufacturers and their workers.  After his visit, Portman released the following statement: “It was great to visit the General Motors Parma Metal Center on day two of my Ohio Auto tour. The auto industry is one of the main drivers of Ohio’s economy, employing more than 108,000 Ohioans and contributing more than $13 billion annually to our economy. At plants like the Parma Metal Center, I can see why Ohio is a leader in automobile manufacturing. I saw firsthand how our workers are at the cutting edge of innovation and development. As the Co-Chair of the Senate Auto Caucus, I will continue to fight for policies that will keep our auto-industry strong so that we can create new jobs and the people of Ohio get a chance to build the bright future they deserve. Photos of the event can be found here. Portman Tours General Motors Toledo Transmission Plant, Talks Tax Reform & Jobs Portman visited the General Motors Toledo Transmission Plant on his third visit of his Ohio Auto Manufacturing Jobs Tour, where he discussed tax reform and how it will benefit Ohio’s auto manufacturers and their workers. After his visit, Portman recorded this video and released the following statement: “Today I saw General Motors’ impressive Toledo Transmission Operations. This world-class plant partners the American ingenuity General Motors has long embodied with Toledo’s first-rate, dedicated workforce. With nearly 2,000 employees, Toledo Transmission Operations contributes significantly to the local economy, and I was pleased that General Motors has committed more than $600 million in investments to support future projects here. “By simplifying our broken tax code and lowering our corporate tax rate, we can create more jobs and increase wages in Ohio. This will help our auto manufacturers and workers compete with their global competitors. Our corporate rate disadvantages American businesses, and our international tax code penalizes companies that want to bring money home to reinvest in the United States. Combined with lowering tax rates for individuals and getting rid of tax loopholes used primarily by a select few, taxing our businesses competitively with the rest of the world will give our economy a shot in the arm and ease the burden on our middle class. When given a level playing field, American businesses and workers like those here in Toledo are unmatched. Our tax code should help them succeed.” Photos of the event can be found here. Portman Joins Bipartisan Call for Congressional Action to Renew Career and Technical Education Programs Portman joined a bipartisan group of 59 Senators in calling on Senate leaders to renew the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, which provides funding for critical career and technical education programs. “Ohioans should have the chance to acquire the skills needed for the jobs of today,” said Senator Portman. “For years, the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act has ensured that CTE programs are available and match the economic needs of our country. When I travel around Ohio, manufacturers and employers of all sizes lament the ongoing work skills gap, so this is no time to wait. We must work together in a bipartisan fashion to ensure students have the opportunity to participate in these programs and reach their God-given potential.” For more information, go here. Portman’s TSP Modernization Act Passes the House On Thursday, Portman announced that the U.S. House of Representatives passed his TSP Modernization Act by voice vote.  First introduced in the Senate in April by Portman and Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), this legislation provides much-needed retirement flexibility to federal employees by modernizing the TSP’s outdated withdrawal rules. Under TSP’s current rules, participants may only elect one partial withdrawal after they turn 59 ½ or one partial post-separation withdrawal after they retire. The TSP Modernization Act would eliminate these outdated restraints and allow for unlimited age-based or post-separation withdrawals. The Senate’s version of the bill was approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on July 26th with unanimous support. “I applaud the House of Representatives for acting swiftly to pass this common-sense, bipartisan bill to make the TSP more responsive to the needs of its participants, and allow retirees to access their money on an as-needed basis,” said Senator Portman. “I urge my Senate colleagues to quickly follow suit and pass this bill.” For more information, go here. Friday, October 13 Portman Tours Fiat Chrysler US Toledo Assembly Complex, Talks Tax Reform & Jobs On Friday, Portman visited Fiat Chrysler US Toledo Assembly Complex on his third visit of his Ohio Auto Manufacturing Jobs Tour, where he discussed tax reform and how it will benefit Ohio’s auto manufacturers and their workers.  After his visit, Portman released this video and the following statement: “The Fiat Chrysler US Toledo Assembly Complex is a world-class facility and an integral part of the Toledo community. Today, I saw firsthand how the hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in this plant is helping to produce top-of-the line product like the Jeep Wrangler. There is a reason auto manufacturers continue to invest in Ohio: we have the best workers anywhere. All these workers need to compete is a level playing field. As the Co-Chair of the Senate Auto Caucus, I will continue to fight for policies that will keep our auto-industry strong so that we can continue to attract investment that creates new jobs for the workers here in Toledo and across our state.” Photos from the event can be found here. In Marysville, Portman Talks Tax Reform at Honda Manufacturing Plant, Concludes Auto Jobs Tour Portman concluded his Ohio Auto Manufacturing Jobs Tour with a visit to the Honda of America Manufacturing Plant in Marysville, where he discussed tax reform, trade, and other issues. Honda recently completed a $200+ million investment in improvements at the facility and they are adding 300 jobs.  Portman also saw the new Honda Accord assembly and met with Honda leadership and employees. After his visit, Portman recorded this video and released the following statement: “Ohio is one of the top states in the country in terms of auto manufacturing, and after crisscrossing the state and seeing our auto manufacturers at work, it’s easy to see why. In Sharonville, Parma, Toledo and here in Marysville, Ohio is at the cutting edge of innovation and development. It was important for me to hear firsthand from hundreds of auto workers about how I can help. We talked about a lot of issues including regulations, health care costs, trade, and workforce development, but what I heard about most was frustration with our outdated and burdensome tax code. Recently, Honda invested more than $200 million in the plant and workers here in Marysville, adding 300 jobs. By lowering tax rates for employers large and small, instead of having the highest tax rate in the industrialized world, Congress can encourage even more investment here in Ohio and in America, resulting in more jobs and better wages. “This will help our auto manufacturers and workers compete with their global competitors. Our corporate tax rate disadvantages American businesses, and our international tax code penalizes companies that want to bring money home to reinvest in the United States. Combined with lowering tax rates for individuals and getting rid of tax loopholes used primarily by a select few, these reforms will give our economy a shot in the arm and ease the burden on our middle class. When given a level playing field, American businesses and workers like those here in Marysville are unmatched. Our plan to simplify and reform our broken tax code will help them succeed.” Portman Statement on the President’s Announcement on Iran Portman issued the following statement on President Trump’s announcement regarding Iran: “I have long opposed the Iran nuclear agreement because I did not believe it was in America’s national security interests.  This deeply-flawed agreement, which was opposed by a bipartisan majority in the Senate, has empowered Iran to increase its destabilizing activities throughout the region, while at best pausing—not dismantling—Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons and delivery systems.  I look forward to hearing more from the administration about how it plans to engage our allies as we move forward, particularly when it comes to addressing some of the biggest weaknesses in the agreement, such as Iran’s ballistic missile program, international inspectors’ access to Iranian military sites, and the sunset timeline for key provisions.  It is critically important that we put in place a comprehensive regional strategy to combat Iran’s influence and hold it accountable for both its nuclear program and its destabilizing non-nuclear activities, including its support for sectarian militias and terrorist groups like Hezbollah, human rights violations, and increasing involvement in conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and elsewhere. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I look forward to considering legislation to address many of the issues the President raised in his speech today.” On Social Media Sen. Portman: Retool, don't end NAFTA Retooling the North American Free Trade Agreement is a much needed action but ending it completely would be bad for northwest Ohio’s auto industry in particular, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman said Thursday. Mr. Portman, (R., Ohio) came to Toledo Thursday to tour the General Motors Toledo Transmission plant on Alexis Road, the second stop on a three-day tour to visit some of the state’s largest auto plants. On Wednesday the senator was at a Ford plant in Cincinnati. Before arriving in Toledo he spent part of Thursday at a GM plant in Parma near Cleveland. On Friday he will tour Fiat Chrysler’s Toledo Assembly Complex before heading to Marysville to tour the Honda manufacturing facility. At Toledo Transmission Mr. Portman, co-chair of the U.S. Senate’s Auto Caucus, met with plant officials then got a tour of the facility that makes six- and eight-speed transmission for GM cars and trucks. Last year the plant was told GM will spend $668 million to expand it so it can make an unspecified new product there. Mr. Portman said he decided to visit the GM plant to acknowledge the success of employees and management there, but also to call attention to ways that success can be augmented. “One way I can help them more is to reform the broken tax code. That’s what we’re planning to do in Washington over the next couple of months,” the senator said… (“Sen. Portman: Retool, don't end NAFTA,” Jon Chavez. Toledo Blade. October 12, 2017) Senator Rob Portman Values NAFTA for Ohio Exporters While President Trump this week threatened to eliminate the North American Free Trade Agreement, auto workers in Ohio told US Senator Rob Portman that it has value. Ford, Chrysler, GM, and Honda -- they all have factories in Ohio and Republican Rob Portman is visiting many of them this week.  After a tour of the GM Metal plant in Parma the senator wanted to talk about cutting corporate taxes.  But he agreed the talks this week to renegotiate NAFTA is the elephant in the room. There are 108,000 Ohioans working in the auto industry.  Portman says the 1300 who work in Parma are making products that go to Canada and Mexico, and sometimes come back as completed cars. "We gotta be sure the NAFTA agreement is updated.  It needs to be modernized," said Portman.  "I’ve called for that, but we gotta be sure while we do it we don’t ruin the advantages we get here in Ohio from exporting to Canada and Mexico.  Half of our exports here in Ohio go to those two countries.  Canada is our biggest export partner." (“Senator Rob Portman Values NAFTA for Ohio Exporters,” Mark Urycki. Cleveland Idea Stream. October 12, 2017) Rob Portman to receive Panetta award Sen. Rob Portman will receive an award for public service and bipartisanship from a public policy center chaired by former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. Portman, R-Ohio, will attend the 18th annual Jefferson-Lincoln Awards next month in Pebble Beach, Calif. Before becoming secretary of defense and director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Panetta was a Democratic congressman from nearby Monterey, California… (“Rob Portman to receive Panetta award,” Michael Dulman. Columbus Dispatch. October 11, 2017) Sen. Portman proposes tax changes for job creation in auto industry Ohio Senator Rob Portman is traveling across Ohio this week visiting auto manufacturing plants. On Thursday, the Republican stopped at the General Motors Powertrain Transmission Plant in west Toledo. It is part of what he calls an ‘Auto Manufacturing Jobs Tour.’ Sen. Portman came to the plant to pitch how tax reform will benefit automakers. He says the result will be more jobs and higher wages. “General Motors and U.S. manufacturers in general pay a higher tax rate compared to competitors overseas," Sen. Portman said. "That’s not good for the people on the lines here because they’re competing with one hand tied behind their back because of our tax system being out of date and antiquated.”… (“Sen. Portman proposes tax changes for job creation in auto industry,” Dick Berry. Toledo WTOL. October 12, 2017)