Sen. Portman - Week in Review

Senator Portman

Senator Portman spent his week working around the clock to improve and advance the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, legislation approved Thursday by the Senate Finance Committee that will fix our broken tax code to help the middle class, create more jobs, and increase wages for American workers.

Notably, the legislation would save the typical Ohio family $2,375 annually on their tax bill.  That’s $2,375 for Ohio families to use more of their own money for groceries, gas, a car payment, retirement and college costs, a family vacation, or whatever they choose, and that’s why Portman is working so hard to get this legislation signed into law. Also this week, Portman saw his legislation to provide additional funding to the 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo, the JSMC in Lima, and the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton pass through Congress as part of the FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report. It now heads the president’s desk for his signature.

For more on Senator Portman’s week, please see the following:

Saturday, November 11

On Saturday, Senator Portman received the Panetta Institute for Public Policy’s bipartisan Lincoln-Jefferson Award. The Panetta Institute bestowed this prestigious award upon Senator Portman and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) to honor their exceptional commitment to the principles of our democracy and dedication to encouraging the healthy function of the United States system of government through an informed electorate.

“I am humbled to receivethe Panetta Institute’s 2017 Jefferson-Lincoln Award,” said Portman. “My focus each and every day is to work with my bipartisan colleagues to get things done for Ohio in the Senate. The issues facing the American people aren’t dependent upon political affiliation, and the solutions shouldn’t be either. Whether it is reforming our broken tax code to bring more jobs back to America and increase wages, turning the tide of the opioid epidemic, or ending the heinous crime of sex trafficking, I will continue to work in a bipartisan manner to deliver results and get meaningful legislation passed for the people of Ohio.”

“In presenting the Jefferson-Lincoln Awards, the Panetta Institute recognizes individuals who have dedicated their careers to the most vital principles of our democracy,” said Secretary Leon E. Panetta. “In presenting these awards annually, we pay tribute to those leaders who are committed to the principles that have historically made our country an inspirational example of the democratic process at its best.”

NOTE:  In his first Senate term, more than 50 of Portman’s bills were signed into law by then-President Obama. These measures are making a difference for Ohio’s working families, whether it is helping those struggling with addiction, helping to combat the horrific crime of human trafficking, creating jobs and boosting wages for Ohio workers, cracking down on unfair and illegal imports, increasing energy efficiency and protecting our environment, and much more.


Portman was also ranked the third most bipartisan member of the Senate in 2017 by the Lugar Center’s Bipartisan Index.

Portman received two other bipartisan awards last week. On Tuesday, he received the Jacob K. Javits Prize for Bipartisan Leadership, and on Wednesday, he and his wife, Jane, received the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome’s bipartisan Leadership Award.

Monday, November 13

Independent Tax Foundation Says Ohio Families Will Save $2,375 Annually Under Senate Tax Reform Plan

The independent Tax Foundation found that the tax cuts in this the Senate version of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act would save the typical Ohio family $2,375 annually on their tax bill.  That’s $2,375 for Ohio families to use more of their own money for groceries, gas, a car payment, retirement and college costs, a family vacation, or whatever they choose.  For Ohioans who are living paycheck to paycheck, that matters.  Senator Portman discussed this on Fox News this Monday morning:

“The tax code is hopelessly broken. For the middle class in Ohio, a median income family will save $2,375 per family. That helps right now because people’s salaries are flat. Wages are flat and yet expenses are up.”

There is more good news. The Joint Committee on Taxation has confirmed that the middle class are big winners under the Senate tax bill.  Here’s what Politico says:

The Senate’s plan to rewrite the tax code would go much further than a competing House proposal toward making good on Republican promises to focus on the middle class, a new report shows.

Moderate-income people would consistently see the largest percentage declines in their tax bills, according to an analysis released late Saturday by the official, nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation.

Portman in Senate Finance Committee: Time is Now to Pass Tax Reform to Create Jobs & Boost Wages

The Senate Finance Committee began consideration of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, legislation designed to help the middle class, create more jobs, and increase wages for American workers on Monday. Portman delivered opening remarks detailing today on how the bill would save the typical Ohio family $2,375 annually on their tax bill and help middle class Ohioans keep more of their paychecks. Portman also discussed tax reform on Fox News and Fox Business earlier in the day.

Transcript can be found here and a video can be found here.

Tuesday, November 14

Portman: Tax Reform is About Helping the Middle Class, Creating Jobs, and Boosting Wages

During a Senate GOP press conference on tax reform, Portman discussed how the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act will help the middle class, create more jobs, and increase wages for American workers.
Specifically, Portman noted how the bill would save the typical Ohio family $2,375 annually on their tax bill and help middle class Ohioans keep more of their paychecks. Portman, who has held six tax reform roundtables in Ohio with local business leaders in recent months, has been vocal on the national stage calling for tax reform, including during recent interviews on Fox News, CNN, CNBC, Fox Business, Bloomberg TV, and NBC’s Meet The Press, as well as recently in an op-ed in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Transcript can be found here and a video can be found here.

Wednesday, November 15

Portman’s Bipartisan Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act Included in Senate Tax Reform Bill

On Wednesday, Portman announced that his Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act, legislation he introduced earlier this year with Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Angus King (I-ME), has been included in the Senate tax reform bill. The bill is designed to eliminate a tax penalty levied on student loans forgiven for families after the death of their child and Americans who develop permanent disabilities.  The bill also allows a parent whose child develops a total and permanent disability to qualify for student loan discharge. Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Ron Kind (D-WI) introduced a companion bill in the House. Portman discussed the legislation on Fox News earlier this year with Senator Coons.

While the federal government forgives certain federal student loans in the case of the death or disability of the borrower, the IRS treats this cancelled debt as income, which can result in tens of thousands of dollars in immediate tax liability. The Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act would eliminate this unfair tax, which simply replaces one financial burden with another and serves no public policy purpose.  The tax on discharged loans is not only an unnecessary tax, but it also prevents the Department of Education from streamlining the loan forgiveness process.

Portman’s interest in this issue was spurred by the outreach from constituents in Ohio who were facing the consequences of this misguided policy.

“Families like the Carducci family of Steubenville, Ohio, who have a child who has become permanently and totally disabled are going through unimaginable grief,” Portman said. “Because of this tragic disability, they cannot afford a massive student loan bill.  Other families have a lost a child, and are forced to pay a significant tax penalty, sometimes of tens of thousands of dollars, on forgiven student loans while they are still grieving. The last thing that families in these situations need is that kind of financial burden. I am pleased this bill has been included as part of the Senate tax reform plan. I hope to see it signed into law soon to provide relief to these families at a difficult time.”

For more information, go here.

At Finance Hearing, Portman Discusses Updates to Senate Tax Reform Bill, Inclusion of the Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act

During the Senate Finance Committee consideration of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, Portman discussed how the legislation will help the middle class, create more jobs, and increase wages for American workers. Portman also discussed the bipartisan Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act, legislation that has been included in the bill to eliminate a tax penalty levied on student loans forgiven for families after the death of their child and Americans who develop permanent disabilities.

Transcript can be found here and a video can be found here.

Portman: “1.9 Percent Economic Growth Are You Kidding Me? We Can Do Better Than That”

At the Senate Finance Committee consideration of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, Portman outlined why the Senate must act on tax reform. In addition to discussing the inclusion on the Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act earlier in the day, Portman also discussed how the bill would save the typical Ohio family $2,375 annually on their tax bill and help middle-class Ohioans keep more of their paycheck.

Transcript can be found here and a video can be found here

Thursday, November 16

Portman Praises Senate Finance Committee Approval of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act

Thursday night, Portman praised Senate Finance Committee approval of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, the Senate tax reform proposal that will help the middle class, create more jobs, and increase wages for American workers.  A summary of the plan can be found here. Portman issued the following statement:

“Today’s vote marks an important step forward in our effort to provide tax relief to the middle class, grow our economy and create more jobs, and increase wages for American workers.  I’m pleased that we’ve had an open process with 70 tax reform hearings since 2011 and a four-day markup where every committee member had the opportunity to offer amendments.  Every member will continue to have the opportunity to have their voice heard when the full Senate begins consideration of this bill.

“Our tax reform plan is focused on providing middle-class tax relief to help Ohio families who are dealing with this middle-class squeeze of higher expenses and flat wages. Under our plan, a median income Ohio family will save $2,375 annually on their tax bill that they can instead use for gas or groceries, a car payment, retirement, college savings, or a family vacation. Our plan will help make American companies more competitive so we can create more jobs and increase wages in the United States rather than sending them overseas. Our plan will also level the playing field internationally so we can bring back jobs and investment.  It’s been 31 years since we’ve reformed our outdated tax code.  I commend the House, Speaker Ryan, and Chairman Brady for passing their tax reform bill today.  It’s time for the full Senate to follow suit and act on behalf of middle-class families.”

More information about the bill and Portman’s amendments that were added during committee consideration can be found here.

Following Portman Request, Congress Authorizes $15 Million for New Toledo Air Base Hangars

Portman announced that the Senate has passed the FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report, which authorizes $15 million to support the construction of upgraded fighter aircraft hangars for the 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo, Ohio. Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI) included this funding after Portman sent a letter earlier this year urging them to do so. The 180th Fighter Wing, which Portman visited just earlier this year as part of his Ohio Defense Tour, carries out the critical Aerospace Control Alert (ACA) mission to protect America’s airspace.

“I have seen firsthand how our Airmen at the 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo are carrying out one of our nation’s most important homeland defense missions: protecting our skies through the Aerospace Control Alert,” said Portman. “Defending the homeland remains the number one national security mission for our military, so it is critical that the 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo has the best equipment available. The current ACA hangars are outdated and don’t provide the protection needed for the aircraft and the airmen maintaining them. These outdated hangers must be replaced, and I am pleased that Congress is authorizing funding to upgrade them. I urge the president to sign this measure into law to ensure that the men and women serving our country in Toledo, and around the world, have the resources they need.”

For more information, go here.

Portman Announces Congress’ Approval of Funding to Modernize Stryker Vehicles, Increase Production of Abrams Tanks

Portman announced that the FY 2018 NDAA also authorizes funding to upgrade Abrams tanks and Stryker vehicles. Critical work is done on both systems at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Lima, where Portman recently hosted an employee town hall as part of his Ohio Defense Tour. The NDAA includes more than $1.6 billion for upgrading Abrams tanks to increase the rate of production of the newest upgraded Abrams tanks in Lima and ensure that our forward deployed tanks have the most cutting-edge survivability enhancements. The bill also includes $622 million in funding to complete the fourth Stryker brigade with upgraded survivability and mobility improvements as well as a second brigade of Stryker vehicles with an upgraded weapons system. The funding was included by Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI) in the NDAA following a letter sent by Senators Portman and Gary Peters (D-MI), and builds on last years’ NDAA which included $652 million to support upgrades to the Abrams tank and $579 million for the Stryker vehicle.

“In this heightened global security environment, we need to ensure our soldiers have the proper resources and tools necessary to carry out their critical missions,” said Portman. “The Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Lima is now producing the latest-generation Abrams tank and Stryker vehicles, the Army’s most versatile and deployable combat vehicle. The funding provided in the NDAA will allow JSMC to increase the rate of production of the newest Abrams tank and make needed upgrades to Stryker vehicles. The work done at JSMC boosts Lima’s economy—and provides critical national security assets that strengthen our military resolve. I am pleased that this funding will support the skilled JSMC employees I met with in August. I look forward to the president signing this legislation to bolster our military and allow JSMC to continue assisting our men and women in uniform.”

For more information, go here.

Senate Passes Portman, Brown Amendments to Support Jobs & Research at Wright-Patt’s Air Force Research Lab

Portman and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the Senate has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report, which includes several bipartisan amendments they offered that will support jobs and the important research mission at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base's Air Force Research Lab.  The measure is now headed to the president’s desk for his signature.

“The innovative research and development conducted at the Air Force Research Lab at Wright-Patt is critical to our national security and to maintaining our military’s technological edge,” said Portman. “I will continue to work with Senator Brown to support Wright-Patt and ensure that its highly-skilled workforce has the tools and resources it needs to carry out its missions.” 

For more information, go here.

Portman Announces Final Passage of Ukraine Security Assistance Amendment in NDAA Conference Report

Portman, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and founder and co-chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today announced that his amendment boosting security assistance for Ukraine that passed the Senate in September has been approved by Congress as part of the FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report. As amended by Portman’s provisions, which he introduced with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), the FY 2018 NDAA authorizes $350 million in security assistance, including lethal and non-lethal equipment, training, and technical assistance. For the first time, the amendment authorizes assistance to bolster Ukraine’s naval capabilities, which were severely degraded following Russia’s seizure of Crimea. The amendment also conditions U.S. aid on progress towards key reforms including instituting civilian control of the military, cooperation and coordination with Ukrainian parliamentary efforts to exercise oversight of the Ministry of Defense and military forces, and improvements in sustainment capabilities, inventory management, and security of sensitive foreign technologies. This year’s Ukraine security assistance package maintains the framework that Portman’s previous amendments to the FY 2016 and FY 2017 NDAAs helped build.

“There is longstanding bipartisan agreement on the policy tools that the United States should utilize as part of its comprehensive strategy to support Ukraine, deter future aggression against our allies and interests, and uphold the fundamental principles of the U.S.-led international system that Russia’s actions ultimately threaten. Now, the United States Senate is taking a critical step forward in its support for Ukraine,” said Senator Portman.  “As Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine persists, and as it continues to utilize hybrid warfare techniques such as propaganda and disinformation, it is critical that the U.S. and NATO provide the sustained economic, political, and military support necessary to allow Ukraine to secure its democratic future. An independent Ukraine is critical not just to Eastern Europe, but it also impacts broader U.S. interests in the region and beyond. I urge the president to sign this measure into law quickly to get Ukraine the assistance they need.”

For more information, go here.

Portman, Murphy Announce Final Passage of Measure to Counter Foreign Propaganda in NDAA Conference Report

Portman and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) announced that the Senate passed the FY 2018 NDAA Conference Report, which includes their language to improve the ability of the United States to counter foreign propaganda and disinformation from our enemies. The language builds on their Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act, legislation signed-into-law last year, by helping them to promote more seamless coordination between the Department of Defense and the State Department in countering foreign propaganda and disinformation. The FY 2018 NDAA now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

“Last year, the United States took a critical step towards confronting the extensive, and destabilizing, foreign propaganda and disinformation operations being waged against us by our foreign adversaries by passing the bipartisan Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act. And today marks another step forward,” said Senator Portman. “By better coordinating and synchronizing our government’s response to foreign propaganda and disinformation, the United States will be more successful in ensuring that our ideas win. I am confident that, with the help of our bipartisan bill and proper coordination between government agencies, the disinformation and propaganda used against us, our allies, and our interests will fail. I urge the President to sign this measure immediately.”

For more information, go here.

Friday, November 17

Portman on Fox News: Democrats Have Been Talking About Middle Class Tax Cuts But Republicans Are Delivering It

In an interview on Fox News, Portman discussed the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, legislation approved by the Senate Finance Committee that would save the typical Ohio family $2,375 annually on their tax bill and help middle-class Ohioans keep more of their paycheck. Portman, who has held six tax reform roundtables in Ohio with local business leaders in recent months, has been vocal on the national stage calling for tax reform, including during recent interviews on Fox News, CNN, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, and NBC’s Meet The Press, as well as recently in an op-ed in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Transcript can be found here and a video can be found here.

On Social Media









Senate Needs to Pass the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act
The Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act has unanimously cleared a Senate committee with bipartisan support.

The full Senate should quickly move to pass the bill, which would allow victims to get justice and would give law enforcement a valuable tool in reining in the trafficking of children and young women on the Internet.

SESTA has been championed by Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio) since a two-year Senate investigation revealed that classified advertising website Backpage.com has been facilitating sex trafficking for years.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reported that an explosion in Internet ads led to an 846 percent increase in suspected child sex trafficking from 2010 to 2015. Backpage, according to an industry report, is the recipient of $8 of every $10 spent on online commercial sex advertising…
(“Senate Needs to Pass the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, Editorial. Toledo Blade. November 13, 2017)

JSMC gets over $2 billion in additional defense funding
The Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act has passed the U.S. Senate and will now go to the president for signature.

The NDAA includes over $1.6 billion in funding to upgrade the Abrams tank at Lima’s Joint Systems Manufacturing Center, including cutting edge survivability equipment, according to Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, along with $622 million to complete the fourth Stryker brigade, providing survivability and mobility improvements.

“The funding provided in the NDAA will allow JSMC to increase the rate of production of the newest Abrams tank and make needed upgrades to Stryker vehicles,” Portman said. “The work done at JSMC boosts Lima’s economy — and provides critical national security assets that strengthen our military resolve.”

(“JSMC gets over $2 billion in additional defense funding,” Staff. Lima News. November 17, 2017)



Craft breweries could get big break under Senate tax plan
Congress may soon give craft brewers a big tax break. Part of the Senate tax reform plan includes cutting the federal excise tax in half.

For craft brewers like North High Brewing Company, cutting the excise tax in half would lower its tax bill by $20,000.

"There's tons of projects we can spend $20,000 on right now but we don't have that $20,000 in the bank right now," said Tim Ward with North High Brewing….

Democrats and Republicans have been working on a bill to cut the excise tax. Sen. Rob Portman worked with Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden to add that legislation to the tax reform plan. Republicans are trying to pass tax reform by the end of the year.

(“Craft breweries could get big break under Senate tax plan,” Ben Garabek. Columbus ABC 6. November 16, 2017)