Senator Portman - Rob’s Rundown: Week of April 16-20, 2018

This week, Senator Portman continued his Results for the Middle-Class Tax Reform Tour in Cincinnati, Mentor, Rocky River, and Akron. In Cincinnati, Portman joined Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen and Kroger employees as the company announced how it would use a portion of its annual tax reform savings to benefit its workers. Next, Portman stopped at the Steris Corporation in Mentor, where he held a town hall meeting. As a result of the savings from tax reform, Steris Corporation plans to give a bonus of $1,000 to all U.S. employees other than senior executives. In Rocky River, Portman held another town hall meeting to discuss the benefits of tax reform alongside Ivanka Trump and Rep. Jim Renacci (R-OH). In Akron, Portman visited the newly expanded Ronald McDonald House of Akron, which was partially funded through New Markets Tax Credits, a tax incentive he fought to preserve in the Senate version of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act and the final bill which ultimately became law. Finally, Portman announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $485 million in grants to help states fight the heroin and prescription drug epidemic, including $26 million for the state of Ohio. 
For a more detailed look at Senator Portman’s week, please see the following:
Monday, April 16

CNBC Highlights Portman Opioid Report, How Bitcoin is Fueling America’s Fentanyl Epidemic

A new report from CNBC’s Ylan Mui on how cryptocurrencies, like bitcoin, are fueling America’s opioid crisis highlighted Senator Portman and his bipartisan investigation detailing how drug traffickers exploit vulnerabilities in our international mail system to easily ship synthetic drugs like fentanyl from China into the United States. Portman’s report showed that drug traffickers who sold fentanyl online from labs in China, preferred Bitcoin as their form of payment, which help these criminals maintain anonymity and make law enforcement’s job investigating much more challenging.
A video of the piece can be found here.

In Cincinnati, Portman Joins Kroger in Announcing New Employee Benefits Because of Tax Reform

As part of his Results for the Middle-Class Tax Reform Tour, Portman joined Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen and Kroger employees as the company announced how it would use a portion of its $400 million in annual tax reform savings to benefit its workers. At the event, the company announced $3,500 per year and up to $21,000 total in tuition assistance for each Kroger employee as part of its “Feed Your Future” program to encourage lifelong learning and help them build a better future. The company also announced an increased match to its 401(k) savings program, ensuring Kroger employees help save for their retirement, and additional investments in its “Helping Hands” program that provides financial support to workers in need.  The company previously announced its plans to accelerate the hiring of 11,000 new workers as a result of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act as well. 
“So far this year, I’ve visited 14 different Ohio businesses to discuss the positive impact tax reform is already having, and today I was pleased to join Kroger—the largest supermarket chain in the world, headquartered here in Cincinnati—as it announced its plans to make new investments in its employees,” said Senator Portman.  “I was especially pleased to see how Kroger employees will benefit from additional education opportunities to help them build a better future and a higher 401(k)match to strengthen their retirement.  This business is paying forward the benefits of tax reform to its employees, and that’s exactly what Congress intended when we crafted the tax reform law.  In addition to the pro-growth business tax reforms, workers are keeping more of their hard-earned money because of individual tax cuts in the new law.  With Tax Day tomorrow, families across the state and country are already realizing many of the benefits of this new law and will continue to benefit from the new tax code in the future.  With the help of tax reform, we are once again making our country the beacon of inspiration that shines on the rest of the world.”
Tuesday, April 17

On Tax Day, Portman Highlights Benefits of New Tax Code for Families & Small Businesses

On Tax Day, the day the United States moves from a broken, outdated tax code to a new one for 2018 –Portman joined Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) at a press conference to highlight the benefits of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act for Ohio families and small businesses.   Excerpts and the video of Portman’s remarks are found here:
“I think one of the more exciting things about tax reform is that it is also changing our economy in a more positive way. So not only next year will people be able to file their taxes more simply, be able to have a little more tax relief, but it’s helping economic growth. By the way, it is particularly helping, in terms of tax relief, people who are at the lower end of the economic scale. Over three million Americans who had tax liability under the old tax code will have no tax liability under the new tax code. Think about that, three million people are out from underneath the IRS altogether.”

On CNN & Fox Business, Portman Highlights Benefits of Tax Reform, Discusses Russia & Syria

On CNN’s At This Hour with Kate Bolduan, and Fox Business’ Coast-to-Coast with Neil Cavuto, Portman discussed the tangible benefits of tax reform he is seeing all across Ohio as families receive higher take-home pay and businesses announce higher wages, bonuses, benefits, and investments in equipment. Portman also discussed the need to hold Russia accountable for its actions in Syria, his support for Director Pompeo as Secretary of State, and his belief that special counsel Robert Mueller should complete his investigation.
Excerpts of the interviews can be found, a video of the CNN interview can be found here and the Fox Business interview can be found here.

Senate Passes Bipartisan “Kids to Parks Day” Resolution

Portman, Ron Wyden (D-OR), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) applauded the passage of their bipartisan resolution, which encourages children to get outdoors by designating May 19 National Kids to Parks Day.
First celebrated by the National Park Trust in 2011, the eighth annual Kids to Parks Day marks the beginning of a summer-long series of events at state parks countrywide that promote outdoor recreation and active, healthy living. The Senate passed the resolution by unanimous consent last night.
“It is important that we encourage younger generations to enjoy and experience the outdoors, and as a frequent visitor to our national parks I’m pleased that thousands of kids in Ohio will be visiting and learning about these national treasures on Kids to Parks Day,” Portman said. “I am proud to support the Kids to Parks Day Resolution to encourage more young people and their families to visit our treasured national parks.”
More than 1 million people participated in last year’s Kids to Parks Day, according to the National Park Trust.
This year’s Kids to Parks Day will be celebrated Saturday, May 19, 2018. To find a list of events near you, click here.

Trump Admin Responds to Sens. Portman, Coons & King, Agrees to Discharge Outstanding Federal Student Loans for Permanently Disabled Veterans

In response to efforts by Portman, Chris Coons (D-DE) and Angus King (I-ME), the Trump administration announced that it will streamline student debt forgiveness for permanently disabled military veterans.  In February, the senators sent a letter to urge the U.S. Secretary of Education, the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Acting Commissioner of Social Security to immediately discharge outstanding federal student loans for totally and permanently disabled Americans, including veterans.
Under the recently enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, federal student loans that are discharged by the Department of Education due to the death or total and permanent disability of a borrower or the death of a borrower’s child are no longer required to be included in the gross income of the borrower.  Therefore, loan forgiveness in these cases is tax exempt.  Now that Congress has removed the potential tax consequence associated with this type of loan forgiveness, the senators are urging the Education Department to immediately begin discharging student loans for eligible individuals. 
“I was pleased to learn that these loan discharges for veterans will be streamlined,” said Senator Portman. “We have worked on solving the problems facing permanently disabled student borrowers for quite some time, and while there remains work to be done, this announcement is a positive step forward.”

Portman, Brown Announce President Trump Has Signed Disaster Declaration That Will Bring Relief to Ohio Communities After Devastating Floods

Portman and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the Trump administration has signed a disaster declaration that will bring significant relief to Ohio communities affected by devastating floods last month.
“I am glad the president made this much needed declaration,” said Portman. “It will allow our affected communities to get much-needed federal assistance following this winter’s terrible storms.”
In late March, Portman and Brown wrote a letter to the President urging him to act swiftly to approve Governor John Kasich’s request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Ohio counties impacted by the severe flooding.

• The counties that will receive funding include Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Columbiana, Gallia, Hamilton, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pike, Scioto, Vinton, and Washington Counties.

• This declaration will allow the impacted counties to access important federal assistance and resources to recover, including, debris removal and repairs to damaged roads, bridges and other county infrastructure.

Full text of their March 28, 2018 letter appears below and is available here.

Portman Statement on the Passing of Barbara Bush

Portman issued the following statement in response to the news that former First Lady Barbara Bush passed away at her home in Houston, Texas at the age of 92:
“There is a reason Barbara Bush was one of the most popular people in America. She was dignified, straightforward, funny, and always well intentioned. She spoke her mind freely, and when she did most of us nodded our heads in agreement.  One of only two women in history who was both First Lady and the mother of a president, she has consistently used her role and influence in positive ways. She was a champion of empowering people through literacy and an eloquent voice for bipartisanship and national unity. She was devoted to her family, and her unconditional love for her children and her true partnership with George H.W. Bush in service to the country was an inspiration.
“Jane and I were blessed to get to know Barbara Bush when I worked for President George H.W. Bush in the White House and she has been a friend ever since. In my first congressional campaign in 1993, she came to Cincinnati and cut a radio ad about me and Jane that was key to my winning that first election. She was never hesitant to offer encouragement and candid advice.  Jane and I, along with the rest of the country, will miss her, and we send our condolences to the entire Bush family.”
Wednesday, April 18

On the Senate Floor, Portman Celebrates America’s Move to the New Tax Code, Highlights Benefits of Tax Reform

Portman delivered remarks on the Senate floor on Tax Day, the last time American’s will file under our old, broken, burdensome tax code. While American’s won’t file their taxes under the new code until this time next year, workers, families, and businesses are already benefiting from tax reform. Portman highlighted the successes he’s seen across the state since the first of the year, including his visit to Cincinnati-headquartered Kroger on Monday.
Said Portman in the speech, “I’m excited to be here today to say this is the last day we’ll have to file under the old tax code—but also to say the new tax code is helping to give families I represent the opportunity to do a little better, to give businesses I represent the opportunity to be more competitive and reinvest in their employees and business and productivity. That will make the biggest difference in the tax reform effort.”
Transcript of his remarks can be found here and a video can be found here.

Bipartisan Portman-Hassan Hack DHS Act Unanimously Passes Senate

The Senate unanimously passed by voice vote the bipartisan Hack Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Act introduced by Portman and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) to strengthen cyber defenses at DHS. The Hack DHS Act would establish a bug bounty pilot program – modeled off of similar programs at the Department of Defense and major tech companies – that uses vetted “white-hat” or ethical hackers to help identify unique any undiscovered vulnerabilities in the DHS networks and information technology. The bill is also cosponsored by Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Kamala Harris (D-CA).
“The networks and systems at DHS are vital to the security of Ohioans and all Americans,” said Senator Portman.  “Bug bounty programs are important cybersecurity tools in the private sector and have shown promising results when used by the government.  This legislation ensures DHS will execute such a program and reap the cost-effective benefits to the security of their networks and systems. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Hassan to get this bill to the President’s desk and get DHS moving forward on this important effort.” 
For more information on the bill, click here.

At Energy Committee Hearing, Experts Agree With Portman About Need for Stable Funding to Address National Parks Maintenance Backlog

At an Energy & Natural Resources Committee hearing on Tuesday, experts agreed with Senator Portman (R-OH) that stable funding was critically important in the effort to truly address the $12 billion maintenance backlog at the National Park Service (NPS).  In 2017, Senators Portman and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced the National Park Service Legacy Act, which would establish the “National Park Service Legacy Restoration Fund” to reduce the maintenance backlog by allocating existing revenues the government receives for oil and natural gas royalties.  Some 2.6 million people visit Ohio’s national park service sites every year. The $12 billion maintenance backlog includes $73 million for eight sites in Ohio.
A full transcript of his remarks and the video can be found here.
Thursday, April 19

Portman Honors Memory of Barbara Bush on Senate Floor

Portman delivered remarks on the Senate floor in memory of former First Lady Barbara Bush who passed away at her home in Houston, Texas at the age of 92.
“As we mourn the loss of this authentic and admired American, we should all find comfort in remembering the way she lived—and the incredible legacy that she leaves. She never ran for public office herself, but in a way she represented all of us. And I think she represented the best in all of us.”
Transcript of his remarks can be found here and a video can be found here.

Portman, Hassan Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Train More New Doctors to Prescribe Medication-Assisted Treatment

Portman and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced the bipartisan Enhancing Access to Addiction Treatment Act of 2018 to help train more new doctors to prescribe medication-assisted treatment to help combat the fentanyl, heroin, and opioid epidemic and saves lives.
The bipartisan bill would support medical schools and residency programs in training students and residents in addiction medicine in order to allow more new doctors to prescribe medication-assisted treatment. The legislation would also streamline the process for getting a waiver to prescribe medication-assisted treatment to ensure that students or residents who receive training can apply to prescribe medication-assisted treatment as soon as they graduate medical school, get licensed to practice medicine, and get a DEA number – the same time they are allowed to start prescribing opioids.
“Combatting the opioid crisis requires expanding access to all forms of medication-assisted treatment (MAT),” Senator Portman said. “This important legislation will remove some of the barriers that prevent physicians from prescribing MAT and will also greatly expand training for physicians in medical schools and residency programs.” 

Portman Announces $26 Million in New Funding for Ohio to Help Combat Heroin & Prescription Drug Epidemic

Portman announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $485 million in grants to help states fight the heroin and prescription drug epidemic, including $26 million for the state of Ohio.  This is the second year in a row that Ohio has received funding through the CURES legislation that Portman helped to enact in 2016:
“This is good news for Ohio, and these new funds will help our efforts to combat the heroin and prescription drug epidemic gripping our state.  My visits to treatment and recovery facilities in Mt. Gilead and Columbus recently once again highlighted the glaring need for additional resources to combat this epidemic.  I was proud to work on the CURES legislation and help secure opioid funding in the bill, and this legislation is now benefiting our state.  This is another positive step forward, but we must do more, and that’s why I continue to push for common-sense solutions like the STOP Act and CARA 2.0 that will help us turn the tide of addiction in Ohio and around the country.” 

At Senate Hearing on Opioid Crisis, Portman Calls on Senate to Pass STOP Act, Highlights Need for Three-Day Prescribing Limit

At a Senate Finance Committee hearing on the opioid epidemic, Portman highlighted the need for the Senate to act on his Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act, which will help keep deadly synthetic drugs shipped from drug traffickers in China out of the U.S.  In addition, he questioned how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services established its seven-day prescribing limit when the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a three-day limit.  Portman’s Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery (CARA 2.0) Act would limit opioid prescriptions to three days, consistent with the CDC’s guidelines.
Transcript of his remarks can be found here and a video can be found here.

On Fox News, Portman Highlights New SESTA Law & the Need to Confirm Mike Pompeo for Secretary of State

During an interview with Fox News’ Dana Perino, Portman discussed how his bipartisan Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA), which was signed into law last week by President Trump, is already making a difference. The legislation is a monumental first step in helping to ensure victims of sex trafficking will get the justice they deserve and also hold accountable websites that knowingly facilitate sex trafficking. Portman also discussed the need to confirm Mike Pompeo for Secretary of State.
Excerpts of the interview can be found here and a video can be found here.

Portman, Brown, Turner Lead Ohio Lawmakers Urging Air Force to Select Wright-Patterson for Critical New Mission That Could Bring 400 Jobs to the Base

Portman and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH) to lead the entire Ohio Congressional delegation in urging the Pentagon to locate the F-35 Hybrid Product Support Integrator (HPSI) Organization at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.  In a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson, the lawmakers said Wright-Patt is uniquely qualified to handle the new mission, and it could mean an additional 400 plus jobs in Ohio.
Wright-Patt’s highly qualified workforce support the Air Force’s critical national security mission and the base is further supported by the broader Dayton defense community, which is full of engineering and contracting specialists. Lawmakers made the case that Dayton’s research industry and universities have long been the center for developing, acquiring, and sustaining the next level of air superiority to counter US adversaries and, therefore, locating HPSI at Wright-Patt would be the best choice for the Air Force.
The lawmakers who signed the letter to the Air Force include: U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Rob Portman (R-OH), Rep. Mike Turner, Rep. Steve Stivers, Rep. Dave Joyce, Rep. Bob Gibbs, Rep. Bob Latta, Rep. Steve Chabot, Rep. Warren Davidson, Rep. Bill Johnson, Rep. Jim Renacci, Rep. Joyce Beatty, Rep. Marcia Fudge, Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Rep. Brad Wenstrup, Rep. Jim Jordan, and Rep. Tim Ryan.
A copy of their letter to the Air Force can be found here.
Friday, April 20

In Mentor, Portman Hosts an Employee Town Hall As Part of His Results for the Middle Class Tax Reform Tour           

Portman visited Steris Corporation in Mentor as part of his Results for the Middle Class Tax Reform Tour. The Steris Corporation is a leading provider of infection prevention and other procedural products and services, focusing primarily on health care, pharmaceutical, and medical device customers. Portman hosted an employee town hall discussing the economic benefits from the recently-signed Tax Cuts & Jobs Act. As a result of the savings from tax reform, Steris Corporation plans to give a bonus of $1,000 to all U.S. employees other than senior executives. In addition the company plans to expand, renovate, and reorganize its administration building to accommodate additional employee offices, more meeting rooms, and other work and break areas.
“I appreciated the opportunity to visit Steris today and receive input from employees about the economy, their needs, and the benefits of tax reform,” said Portman.  “I’ve visited 15 businesses around Ohio — including small businesses in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton, Toledo and Zanesville — that have announced increased investments in plants and equipment, pay increases, bonuses, additional retirement help or new benefits specifically because of this new tax law.  I’m excited about the opportunities we have to continue to work together and improve our economy for Ohio businesses and workers.”  
Photos from the event are here.

Portman Visits Ronald McDonald House of Akron, Sees Benefits of New Markets Tax Credit
Portman Fought to Preserve New Markets Tax Credit in Tax Reform Law; Key Tax Incentive Helped Fund Expansion  

Portman, as part of his Results for the Middle-Class Tax Reform Tour, visited the newly expanded Ronald McDonald House of Akron, a facility that serves the Akron’s Children’s Hospital, and hosted a tax reform roundtable with local business leaders. The $12 million project, which doubled the Ronald McDonald House’s capacity, was partially funded through New Markets Tax Credits, a tax incentive Senator Portman fought to preserve in the Senate version of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act and the final bill which ultimately became law.
“The Ronald McDonald House provides an incredible service to families who face very trying circumstances, and it’s great to see that the facility has been expanded.  This important expansion project was made possible in part by the New Markets Tax Credit, a tax incentive to spur economic growth and redevelopment projects,” said Portman. “The NMTC was removed in the House-passed version of tax reform, but I fought to preserve it in the Senate version and the final agreement that became law. We’re already seeing significant benefits of this new law.  I’ve visited 16 businesses around Ohio that have announced new investments in their businesses and their workers, including higher wages, bonuses, new plants and equipment, and more retirement benefits.  I’m excited about the opportunities ahead, and I will continue to work with communities throughout Ohio on project to utilize the NMTC to spur new economic growth and development.” 
On Social Media 



Kroger announces long-term investment in education, retirement, wages as result of tax cuts
Kroger announced new long-term investment commitments for employees as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, joined Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen to outline what one of the nation's largest employers decided to do with the money.
…
The Corryville Kroger was among a dozen businesses that Portman has toured across Ohio, to see how they are allocating their tax reform.
"What is unusual about Kroger is that they are doing it all. The are investing in their business and their facilities. They are investing in their people in terms of their education and retirement savings and their wages. It's a combination," Portman said.
Kroger increased the starting wages of its workers to at least $10 an hour, with accelerated wage progressions to $11 an hour after a year of service, in Cincinnati and Dayton in the beginning of April.
…
"I hope this will be an example for other companies. ... The idea behind the tax reform proposal was to make America's businesses more competitive and to help individuals and families," Portman said.
(Kroger announces long-term investment in education, retirement, wages as result of tax cuts. Alexis Rodgers. WLWT5 Cincinnati. April 16, 2018.)


Federal disaster declaration approved
Two months after the worst flooding in a decade in Meigs and surrounding counties, a federal disaster declaration has been approved to provide assistance with the recovery.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced Tuesday that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Ohio to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, flooding and landslides from Feb. 14 to Feb. 25, 2018.
…
In a separate news release, Ohio Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown responded to the approval of the declaration for the impacted counties which was requested by Gov. John Kasich.
“I am glad the president made this much needed declaration,” said Portman. “It will allow our affected communities to get much-needed federal assistance following this winter’s terrible storms.”
…
In late March, Portman and Brown wrote a letter to the President urging him to act swiftly to approve Governor Kasich’s request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Ohio counties impacted by the severe flooding.
(Federal disaster declaration approved. Gallipolis Daily Tribune. April 18, 2018.)