 This week, in a significant step forward in our efforts to combat online sex trafficking, Senator Portman's Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA) passed the Senate by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 97-2. In addition, Portman announced several features of the final FY 2018 appropriations bill that would benefit the people of Ohio. Among some of these features are: additional resources for our men and women in uniform, funding for the military installations in Toledo and Lima, new funds to combat the opioid epidemic, full funding for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and support for the cleanup of the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.
For a more detailed look at Senator Portman’s week, please see the following:
Monday, March 19
Portman, Brown Invite Ohioans to Apply for Nomination to U.S. Service Academies
Portman and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today encouraged Ohioans interested in 2019 admission to U.S. Military Service Academies to apply to each senator’s office for a congressional nomination.
“I am particularly honored as a United States Senator to have the privilege every year of nominating a number of Ohio’s top young achievers for entry into one of our nation’s service academies,” said Portman. “Our nation has never had to look further than the Buckeye State to find those individuals who exhibit the sterling qualities of leadership, daring, and the sense of adventure needed to turn the biggest dreams into reality, and to rise to any occasion.”
Each year, Portman and Brown nominate up to 10 students for each service academy: the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
Interested students who meet the eligibility requirements should send their completed application packet to Portman’s Columbus office and to Brown’s Cleveland office no later than September 21, 2018. The application process is time-intensive. Applicants should plan well in advance.
For more information or to request an application, please visit Portman’s website here or Brown’s website here. Inquiries can also be directed to Portman’s Academy Coordinator at the Columbus office 1-800-205-OHIO and to Brown’s Academy Coordinator at the Cleveland office (888) 896-6446.
Portman and Brown will co-host 12 United States Service Academy Seminars throughout the state for students who are interested in learning about the application processes.
Portman, Cardin Urge Senate Leadership to Preserve 200,000 Pensions in the Final FY 2018 Appropriations Bill
On Friday, Senators Portman and Ben Cardin (D-MD)
sent a letter urging Senate leadership to include their Retirement Security Preservation Act (S. 852) as part of a larger retirement package in the upcoming appropriations measure for FY 2018. Late last week, Aon Hewitt, a global consulting company providing pension services, reported that if Congress does not fix this issue in the next several months, approximately 200,000 Americans could lose their pension benefits. Waiting until later this year or next year would likely be too late for these 200,000 Americans.
The Retirement Security Preservation Act, which passed the Senate Finance Committee in 2016 as part of the Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act by a unanimous 26-0 vote, would protect longer-serving employees in grandfathered defined benefit plans by providing relief from outdated nondiscrimination regulations. The current IRS regulations have had the unintended effect of forcing many employers to have to stop providing pension benefits. For example, in order to satisfy certain pension nondiscrimination tests, the number of “highly compensated employees” (HCEs) relative to the number of other participants in the pension plan cannot become too high, even though grandfathered employees typically earn more toward the end of their careers and become highly compensated under the regulations. These outdated pension rules will inadvertently force companies to “hard freeze” their plan entirely, eliminating future benefit accruals for all employees in the plan and significantly undermining the retirement security of older workers. If Congress waits until December of 2018 to pass the bill, freeze decisions and announcements will likely have been made already. More than 600,000 pensions over the next few years are at risk of being frozen solely due to the nondiscrimination regulations, including 200,000 that are at risk in the next several months.
“We cannot allow 200,000 Americans to lose their pension benefits just because Washington has failed to update these regulations,” said Portman. “The Retirement Security Preservation Act should be passed now, and I am pleased to stand with my friend Senator Ben Cardin on this issue.”
Portman on the Senate Floor: “If We Can Pass The Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, We Will Make A Difference. We Will Save Lives.”
Portman delivered remarks on the Senate floor today discussing the bipartisan Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA) as the Senate continued debate on the bill. SESTA passed the Houseoverwhelmingly three weeks ago and was endorsed by the White House, which Portman discussed further during a floor speech on Thursday as well as a floor speech earlier last week.
Said Portman in his speech: “Justice cannot be seen but its absence can be felt. And that’s what’s happening now, an absence of justice. Those who have been trafficked online only see the websites that knowingly facilitated it prosper and escape legal consequences. That has to stop. To me that’s an injustice. So I look forward to further debate again this week. I look forward to the vote on Wednesday. If we can pass the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, we will make a difference. We will save lives. We will save women and girls and boys from going through this traumatic experience and enable them instead to achieve their God-given potential in life.”
Transcript of his speech can be found here a video can be found here.
Tuesday, March 20
Portman on the Senate Floor: “Let’s Pass SESTA to Provide These Victims the Justice They Deserve”
Portman again delivered remarks on the Senate floor today on the need to pass his bipartisan Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA) as the Senate continued debate on the bill. SESTA passed the House overwhelmingly three weeks ago and was endorsed by the White House, which Portman discussed further during a floor speech last night, a floor speech on Thursday as well as a floor speechearlier last week. Portman highlighted the fact that courts have called on Congress to address this issue.
Said Portman in his speech: “In one of the most direct calls for congressional action yet, in August of last year, a Sacramento judge cited the broad immunity provided by the Communications Decency Act in dismissing pimping charges against Backpage.com. The court opinion stated, and I quote, ‘If and until Congress sees fit to amend the immunity law, the broad reach of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act even applies to those alleged to support the exploitation of others by human trafficking.’”
Excerpts of his speech can be found here and a video can be found here.
Wednesday, March 21
As Vote Nears, Portman Urges Senate to Pass SESTA in Current Form
Portman spoke alongside a bipartisan group of colleagues on the Senate floor today discussing the need to pass his bipartisan Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA) as the Senate vote on the bill nears. SESTA passed the House overwhelmingly three weeks ago and was endorsed by the White House, which Portman discussed further during a floor speech last night and a floor speech Monday night. Portman highlighted the need to pass SESTA as is to get a bill to the president’s desk that will provide justice for victims of sex trafficking and hold accountable websites that knowingly facilitate these crimes.
Said Portman in his speech: “This is legislation that is overdue in my view. And it’s required. The courts have told us that. The district attorneys have told us that. The attorneys general told us that. 50 of them wrote us a letter saying make this change. They have all said ‘Congress, step forward.’ They have not just invited us to do it. They welcomed us to pass this legislation to give these families the justice they deserve and to give our prosecutors the ability to go after them.”
Excerpts of his speech can be found here and a video can be found here.
Portman, Blumenthal, McCain, McCaskill, Cornyn, Heitkamp Praise Senate Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Help Stop Online Sex Trafficking
Portman, Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John McCain (R-AZ), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) praised the Senate for passing the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act(SESTA) – by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 97-2 – as part of a broader House effort to help stop online sex trafficking and provide justice for victims. The bill is now ready to be sent to the president’s desk for his signature:
“Today’s vote is a victory for trafficking survivors and a victory for our efforts to help stop the selling of women and children online,” said Senator Portman. “No one thought that we could get this done, but with the commitment of an overwhelming group of bipartisan colleagues and a broad-based coalition of support, we were able to pass legislation that will ensure justice for trafficking victims and help us combat this evil crime. I’d like to thank Senators Thune, Blumenthal, McCain, McCaskill, Cornyn, and Heitkamp for their leadership and hard work on this effort. I look forward to seeing President Trump sign this bill into law.”
Portman, Donnelly Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Permanently Authorize Expedited Infrastructure Permitting Process
Portman and Joe Donnelly (D-IN) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would permanently authorize a program to allow for dedicated funding for review of permit applications with the Army Corps of Engineers for some infrastructure projects. Under current law, public utilities, natural gas companies, and railroads can provide financing for permitting reviews to potentially speed up the process, however the authorization for that financing mechanism is scheduled to expire in 2024. The Portman-Donnelly bill would permanently extend this authorization.
Portman said, “There is bipartisan consensus that we must work together to rebuild our aging infrastructure. I’m pleased to work with Sen. Donnelly to introduce this commonsense bill that will provide certainty to infrastructure project sponsors and help speed the implementation of these projects. By making these cost-sharing provisions permanent, we will encourage more project sponsors and the Army Corps of Engineers to use this option and make the permitting process run more efficiently.”
Anti-Trafficking Advocates, Law Enforcement, Tech Praise Senate Passage of the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act
Thursday, March 22
Portman, Brown Announce Full Funding for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
Portman and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced full funding of $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) in the final FY 2018 appropriations bill Congress is expected to pass this week.
Last year, the president proposed eliminating GLRI and the Senators worked together to ensure it was fully funded in this appropriations bill for the rest of the fiscal year. President Trump’s most recent budget proposed cutting GLRI by 90 percent. The Obama administration also proposed cuts to the program. The package Congress is expected to vote on this week will ensure GLRI is fully funded through the end of the fiscal year.
“The Great Lakes are an invaluable resource to Ohio, and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has been a successful public-private partnership that helps protect both our environment and our economy,” said Portman. “I am pleased that the final bipartisan funding agreement fully funds this critical program, and I will continue to work Senator Brown to protect and preserve Lake Erie and all the Great Lakes.”
Portman and Brown have worked to strengthen the GLRI – a highly successful program that has targeted the most significant problems in the region and jumpstarted restoration efforts to protect, maintain, and restore the chemical, biological, and physical integrity of the Great Lakes. Last year, the two helped ensure that the measure included $300 million for GLRI for the remainder of the fiscal year, battling back reported attempts to cut the GLRI.
Portman Announces Funding in Final FY 2018 Appropriations Bill for Cleanup of the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant
Portman announced that the final FY 2018 appropriations bill includes an increase in $30 million over last year for the cleanup of the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Piketon, Ohio. This additional funding is needed to maintain current employment levels for the decontamination and decommissioning work at the Portsmouth Plant as the Department of Energy suspends its barter program for the remainder of FY 2018. Senator Portman received a commitment from Secretary Perry on Tuesday that he would not suspend the Department of Energy’s uranium barter program – which is used to partially fund the cleanup – unless this additional funding was provided in the appropriations bill. Portman issued the following statement:
“The cleanup and redevelopment of this plant is critical for jobs, economic development, and the future of Southern Ohio, and I’m pleased to announce this funding today. The barter program has resulted in funding uncertainty for the cleanup of the Piketon site, and is not a long-term solution. I’m committed to ensuring there are sufficient resources for the cleanup work at Portsmouth and am pleased that Secretary Perry is committed to supporting long term, stable funding for Piketon. I want to thank Secretary Perry for keeping his commitments thus far, including visiting the site with me last fall, committing to its cleanup, and reconsidering the Obama administration’s decision to end the domestic uranium enrichment demonstration program. I will continue to work with my colleagues and the administration to secure the funding necessary to get the site cleaned up and ready for redevelopment.”
What Senator Portman’s Colleagues Are Saying About His Work on the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act
Following Portman Request, Final FY 2018 Appropriations Bill Includes $15 Million for New Toledo Air Base Hangars
Portman announced today that the final FY 2018 appropriations bill includes $15 million to support the construction of upgraded fighter aircraft hangars for the 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo, Ohio. The 180th Fighter Wing, which Portman visited last year as part of his Ohio Defense Tour, carries out the critical Aerospace Control Alert (ACA) mission to protect America’s airspace.
“This is a huge win for the Airmen of the 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo who 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 resources available. The current ACA hangars are outdated and don’t provide the protection needed for the aircraft and the airmen maintaining them. Now that the final FY 2018 appropriations bill has provided the funding to replace these outdated hangers, the men and women serving our country in Toledo will be able to better perform their critical national security mission. I look forward to returning to the 180th soon to see these hangars fully operational.”
Portman Announces Final FY 2018 Appropriations Bill Increases Funding to Upgrade Abrams Tanks and Modernize Stryker Vehicles
Portman announced that Final FY 2018 appropriations bill includes $1.08 billion in funding to upgrade a brigades worth of Abrams tanks — increasing the rate of production of the newest upgraded Abrams tanks in Lima in order to ensure that our forward deployed tanks have the most cutting-edge capabilities. The bill also includes $648 million in funding to complete the fourth Stryker brigade with upgraded survivability and mobility improvements as well as start a second brigade of Stryker vehicles with an upgraded weapons system. Portman released the following statement:
“The final FY 2018 appropriations bill recognizes the harsh realities of the threats we face in the world and the steps we need to take to confront them. We must invest in our men and women in uniform and give them the tools they need now and in the future to do their jobs. I’m pleased the final FY 2018 appropriations bill funds an important down payment on those needed investments.
“The newest Abrams tank and the modernized Stryker vehicle are a few of those vital investments. Countries around the world, including potential adversaries, continue to invest in armor and anti-armor systems that challenge the strength and supremacy of our armor brigades. The newest Abrams tank, designed to combat these advancements, has started coming off the line at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Lima. As the Army plans to continue to grow their armor formations, the increased production funded in this bill will be enormously important. It’s also vital that we will continue to field improved Stryker vehicles to our soldiers in Europe and elsewhere. These upgrades will improve the survivability of our soldiers and enhance their battlefield effectiveness.
“I am pleased that the final FY 2018 appropriations bill supports the skilled JSMC employees and in turn, the Lima area. Combined with the proposals we have seen in the FY 2019 president’s budget, I believe it will make a difference for our military and allow JSMC to continue assisting our men and women in uniform.”
Portman Announces New Opioid Funding in Final FY 2018 Appropriations Bill
Portman announced today that the final FY 2018 appropriations bill includes approximately $3 billion in new funding to help combat the opioid epidemic, including more funding for evidence-based programs authorized by Portman’s Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act (CARA) in 2016. Portman issued the following statement:
“This is good news for Ohio and good news for the millions of Americans who continue to struggle with addiction. One of our goals in introducing CARA 2.0 was to provide appropriators with a road map for how best to increase funding for evidence-based prevention, treatment and recovery programs that work. I’m particularly pleased that the bill includes $60 million for states to develop an infant plan of safe care to help newborns exposed to opioids and their families. This is what we asked for in CARA 2.0, and I am thankful that appropriators addressed our concerns on this issue. I’m also pleased that there is $500 million for the National Institutes of Health to further research opioid addiction and new non-addictive pain therapies. We are making progress in increasing resources for CARA programs that we know work, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on important legislation like CARA 2.0, the STOP Act, and other common-sense solutions to effectively respond to this crisis.”
Portman Statement on Bipartisan Background Check & School Safety Legislation in the Final FY 2018 Appropriations Bill
Portman issued the following statement on the bipartisan legislation included in the final FY 2018 appropriations bill to strengthen the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and improve school safety:
“I’m pleased that the final FY 2018 funding bill includes two bipartisan initiatives I’ve cosponsored to provide common-sense reforms to strengthen the federal background check system and improve school safety. We need to improve our background check system—that means requiring federal agencies to share terror data on individuals attempting to buy a firearm and ensuring relevant records, for mental health and more, are included in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System in a timely manner. The bill also provides more federal resources for school counselors, alarm systems, security cameras, and crisis intervention training to better protect America’s schools and children. These bills will improve overall safety for all Americans while protecting our Second Amendment rights.”
Portman Applauds Tax Provisions in Final FY 2018 Appropriations Bill to Support U.S. Agriculture
U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) issued the following statement on the tax provisions in the final FY 2018 appropriations bill that will help provide stability to the U.S. agricultural market:
“I am pleased that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle worked together to make this change and support our agriculture industry. When Congress worked through last year’s historic tax reforms, our intent was to help companies of all sizes across all industries to hire more workers, make new investments, and grow their businesses. With this change, American farmers selling their crops and those who buy from them will benefit equally under the law, making good on our promise to help American businesses—be they farms or factories—to compete and succeed on the global stage.”
Senator Portman also applauded the decision to expand the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). The LIHTC program reduces the tax liability for developers that build or rehabilitate affordable rental housing units. This credit has been used successfully to build properties intended to house individuals and families who experience homelessness. Since the creation of the LIHTC in 1986, Ohio has used the credit in combination with state credits to help develop or preserve more than 100,000 affordable housing units for benefit of low-income Ohioans.
Portman, Brown Urge NFL Commissioner to Accept Cleveland-Canton Bid for Future Draft
Portman and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) are teaming up in support of the Cleveland/Canton joint bid to host the National Football League (NFL) Draft in 2019 or 2020.
In a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Portman and Brown highlighted Ohio’s proven track record hosting major sporting events, including NCAA championship events, the Gay Games and the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game and induction ceremony. They also noted that the NFL originated in Canton, Ohio, in 1920, as did the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) 36 years later in Cleveland.
In their joint letter to Goodell, the Senators wrote, Cleveland and Canton, “along with the state of Ohio, offer excellent economic and historical opportunities, as well as the necessary experience to host the NFL Draft. We believe the Cleveland/Canton bid is second to none, and we urge you to give their bid your full consideration.”
Read the Senators’ full letter to Goodell here.
Portman, Brown Announce Language to Protect Cleveland Harbor from Toxic Sediment, Prevent Asian Carp from Entering Great Lakes
Portman and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the spending bill released last night includes language to prohibit the Army Corps of Engineers from dumping toxic material dredged from the Cuyahoga River shipping channel into Lake Erie without the approval from the State of Ohio. The bill also includes language requiring the Corps to make every effort to release its Chief’s Report for Brandon Road Study by February 2019, which Senators Portman and Brown have repeatedly asked of the Corps. This report is crucial to ensuring that Asian Carp do not enter the Great Lakes and threaten the Great Lakes’ $7 billion fishing industry. The measure is expected to pass this week. Together, Portman and Brown have fought to hold the Corps to its obligation to dredge the channel, which is critical to local jobs and businesses along Lake Erie.
“I am pleased that this bill requires the Corps to make every effort to complete its Chief’s Report on the Brandon Road Study by February 2019,” said Portman. “As co-chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, I have urged the Corps to complete this study to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes, which is critical to protecting the Great Lakes’ $7 billion fishing industry. In addition, the Cleveland Harbor project is vital to all of Ohio and we must ensure that the dredged material is not inappropriately disposed of by dumping it into Lake Erie without approval by Ohio EPA. I will continue to fight to protect the health and ecosystem of the lake while ensuring that the shipping channel is fully dredged, which supports thousands of jobs in the region.”
Portman and Brown have urged the Corps honor its obligation to dredge the Cuyahoga River shipping channel to protect the thousands of jobs that rely on the Port of Cleveland. Legislation they co-authored to keep toxic dredged material from the Cuyahoga River out of Lake Erie was signed into law in December 2016.
In addition, Portman and Brown sent a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers urging the Corps to complete their Brandon Road Chief’s Report so that federal, state, and local policymakers can determine the most effective measure to prevent further Asian carp movement and protect the Great Lakes’ $7 billion fishing industry. Last June, an eight pound Silver carp was found just nine miles from Lake Michigan.
The funding bill before Congress also includes $300 million to fully fund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). Last year, the President proposed eliminating GLRI and the Senators worked together to ensure it was fully funded in this appropriations bill for the rest of the fiscal year. President Trump’s most recent budget proposed cutting GLRI by 90 percent. The Obama administration also proposed cuts to the program. The package Congress is expected to vote on this week will ensure GLRI is fully funded through the end of the fiscal year.
Ohio Anti-Trafficking Advocates, Elected Officials Praise Senator Portman’s Work to Pass the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act
Yesterday, the Senate passed the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act in an overwhelmingly bipartisan fashion, by a vote of 97-2. This measure – which will help ensure justice for victims of sex trafficking – is supported by trafficking survivors, anti-human trafficking advocates and law enforcement, 50 Attorneys General, the civil rights community, faith-based groups, the larger tech community, and courts and judges who made clear that it was Congress’ responsibility to act to protect sex trafficking victims. Here’s what some of Ohio’s anti-trafficking advocates and elected officials are saying about his work on this bipartisan legislation:
Friday, March 23
Portman Statement on Senate Passing Final FY 2018 Appropriations Bill
U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) issued the following statement on the Senate passing the final FY 2018 appropriations bill. The legislation includes key Portman priorities, such as a significant increase in resources for our men and women in uniform and additional funding for the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima as well as the 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo. Also included in the bill is approximately $3 billion in new funding to combat the opioid epidemic. Senator Portman recently introduced the CARA 2.0 Act to provide a road map for how these additional funds can be used effectively and build on the successes of his Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which became law in 2016.
“I am pleased that members of both parties came together to support this bill that funds our critical programs at home and abroad, addresses some of the most pressing issues facing our country, and avoids a government shutdown. The bill provides much needed resources for our men and women in uniform, increases our tools to combat the opioid epidemic gripping Ohio, protects our natural resources like the Great Lakes and the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, and makes common-sense changes to strengthen the background check system for firearm purchases—helping to protect our schools, children, and communities without infringing on Second Amendment rights. This legislation includes a significant number of key wins for Ohio, and I’m pleased it was the product of bipartisan consensus.”
On Social Media
Portman talks tax reform at Dayton Chamber Event
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) made a stop in Dayton on Friday as part of his "Results for the Middle-Class Tax Reform Tour."
Speaking at the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Breakfast, Portman said he has seen "positive results" from the passage of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act.
"Throughout my travels around Ohio I have seen firsthand the real, positive difference that tax reform is making for Ohio families, workers, and businesses,” Portman said. “Businesses throughout the state are hiring more workers, making new investments, raising wages, paying bonuses, and expanding benefits for their workers all because of tax reform. This is exactly what Congress intended to accomplish, and I expect these terrific results to continue.”
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Along with his stop in Dayton, Portman visited Bruns General Contracting in Tipp City, Wordplay Inc. and the Sheffer Corp. in Cincinnati, Wolf Metals in Columbus, and other businesses in Cleveland, Mentor and Zanesville.
He also hosted a roundtable discussion with members of the Columbus-based Ohio Craft Brewers Association. Each member of the association announced new investments in their businesses and employees — a move Portman attributes to savings from the tax reform bill.
These investments include new plants and equipment, increased wages, bonuses, charitable giving, reinstating health care, expanding 401 (k) benefits and making addition contributions to employee pension plans.
Senate passes Portman bill to fight Backpage.com sex trafficking, assuring Trump's signature
The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to close an Internet law loophole that has shielded classified ad websites such as Backpage.com from liability when they ran ads for minors being offered as prostitutes.
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Sen. Rob Portman, an Ohio Republican and the new measure's main sponsor, said that if a website operator has reason to think it is hosting ads linked to sex trafficking, it will have to stop doing so or else could face prosecution by state or federal authorities and lawsuits by victims and their families.
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The new law "will allow us to hold these evil websites" liable for prosecution, Portman said.
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"This is evil, and this has been happening. And we've heard the stories," Portman said. "I talked about Yvonne Ambrose. We talked about Kubiiki Pride. We talked about Nicole S. We talked about some of these mothers and their daughters who have gone through this horrific situation. You heard earlier about Desiree. This was the 16-year-old who was being sold on Backpage, and on Christmas Eve she was murdered.
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