Senator Portman - Rob’s Rundown: Week of April 23-27, 2018

This week, Senator Portman delivered remarks on the Senate floor urging the chamber to confirm Director Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State, and voted to confirm him on Thursday.  In addition, he delivered remarks on the opioid crisis gripping Ohio, calling on the Senate to pass two bipartisan bills he’s authored that would address the crisis.  He also attended two events in Cincinnati with community leaders who are making a difference in helping to combat this epidemic.  As the Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), he convened a hearing to examine efforts by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to protect unaccompanied minors from human trafficking and other forms of abuse. This hearing followed up on PSI’s hearing on January 28, 2016 at which the Subcommittee released a report detailing how HHS placed eight children with human traffickers who placed the children in forced labor on an egg farm in Marion, Ohio. 
For a more detailed look at Senator Portman’s week, please see the following:
Monday, April 23

Portman Victory on SESTA Underscores Commitment to Combat Human Trafficking

The enactment of Senator Portman’s bipartisan Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA) was a big victory for trafficking victims and survivors who for too long have been denied the opportunity to get the justice they deserve.  The measure was the culmination of a three-year effort – which included a victory at the Supreme Court – to hold accountable Backpage.com and other websites that knowingly facilitate online sex trafficking of women and children.  The nearly two-year investigation by Portman’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) culminated in a stunning report which detailed how Backpage facilitated criminal sex trafficking and then covered up evidence of these crimes in order to increase its own profits. 

The Cincinnati Enquirer editorial board praised Portman’s work on the measure, saying: 
“Passage of the law is a big and hard fought victory for Portman and for the victims and survivors of online sex trafficking.”
As founder and co-chair of the Senate Caucus to End Human Trafficking, Portman has a long recordof delivering results in the effort to fight this horrific crime. He has authored six federal anti-trafficking laws signed by Presidents Obama and Trump, each designed to make a real difference in better serving victims and helping law enforcement to combat this horrific crime. Here are the six laws: 

• Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA; enacted in April 2018) is designed to help deliver justice to victims of sex trafficking and ensure that websites that knowingly facilitate sex trafficking can be held liable and brought to justice.
• Bringing Missing Children Home Act (enacted May 2015) requires law enforcement to include a photograph in every missing child report, and update the records of missing children with other information relevant to the investigation within 30 days (previously 60 days).
• Child Sex Trafficking Data and Response Act (enacted May 2015) requires law enforcement and child welfare workers to notify the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children immediately when a child goes missing from care. It also amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) to ensure that child victims of sex trafficking are considered victims of child abuse, not criminals. CAPTA state plans must also contain provisions and procedures requiring identification and assessment of all reports involving children known or suspected to be victims of sex trafficking, training for child protective services workers to identify and provide comprehensive services for victims, and a description of efforts to coordinate with state law enforcement, juvenile justice, and social service agencies such as runaway and homeless youth shelters.
• Combat Human Trafficking Act (enacted May 2015) improves training on the investigation and prosecution of those who purchase sex from minors. This law expands state and federal wiretapping authority in human trafficking investigations, increases penalties, and holds both sellers and buyers of sex strictly liable in order to strengthen the rights of victims.
• End Trafficking in Government Contracting Act (enacted December 2012) requires federal contractors to implement trafficking prevention programs and strengthens oversight and investigation of trafficking reports to eliminate trafficking on federal grants and contracts. This law enhances prevention, accountability, and enforcement with regard to labor abuses by government contractors.
• Child Sex Trafficking Amendment Signed Into Law as Part of Violence Against Women Act (enacted March 2013) establishes that child victims of sex trafficking are eligible to receive help under Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grants.

Portman meets regularly advocates, law enforcement, and victims in Ohio as part of his efforts to combat this horrific crime.  In addition, Portman has worked to expose the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) failure to put in place policies to protect migrant children that were turned over to a human trafficking ring.  A follow-up hearing on this issue is scheduled for Thursday.
Tuesday, April 24

On Fox News, Portman Says Mike Pompeo Deserves Strong Bipartisan Support to Be Our Next Secretary of State

During an interview with Fox News’ Jon Scott, Senator Portman discussed the importance of confirming Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State. He highlighted Director Pompeo’s extensive qualifications including his military career, his time on the House Intelligence Committee, his successful career as a businessman, and his role as CIA Director. Portman says that presidents are entitled to choose their own advisers, and nothing about Pompeo is disqualifying – that’s why he was confirmed with bipartisan support as CIA Director by a wide margin of 66-32. Portman believes we must have someone in place to advance our interests on the world stage, and that Director Pompeo is eminently qualified to fill this role.

Excerpts of the interview can be found here and a video can be found here. 

Portman, Kaine, Baldwin, Capito Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Teacher Training to Prepare Students for Technical Jobs

Portman, Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Co-Chairs of the Senate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, along with U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), introduced the Creating Quality Technical Educators Act. This legislation will create a teacher residency grant program to help address the CTE teacher shortage in schools. The grant program creates partnerships between elementary, middle or high schools and higher education institutions to offer one-year teacher residencies to train prospective educators. The Creating Quality Technical Educators Act takes a proactive approach to recruit and train high-quality CTE teachers who will be able to better prepare students with the skills needed to fill in-demand jobs. 

“Quality CTE teachers play a key role in expanding access to high quality programs and making sure more students and parents recognize the value of a CTE education – all of which helps lead to more and better job opportunities for students,” Portman said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to ensure that we have better prepared teachers for this generation and generations to come.”

The residencies target mid-career professionals in related technical fields, recent college graduates, veterans or currently licensed teachers with a desire to transition to a CTE focus, in order to provide students with the opportunity to learn from teachers who have had success in their field of interest. Through grants in the Higher Education and Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA), many teacher residency partnerships already exist between post-secondary institutions and local schools to train prospective educators, but none are CTE focused.  
The bill is supported by the Alliance for Excellent Education, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), and Advance CTE. Portman, Kaine, Baldwin, and Capito introduced an earlier version of the Creating Quality Technical Educators Act in the 114th Congress. 
Text of the Creating Quality Technical Educators Act is available here. 

Portman, Brown Bipartisan Bill That Would Increase Support for Ohio Children’s Hospitals Clears Senate Health Committee

A bipartisan bill authored by Portman and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) that would reauthorize the Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) program for an additional five years and increase its authorization to $330 million per year passed out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. As a part of the bipartisan omnibus spending deal reached in Congress last month, Portman and Brown helped secure the highest-ever funding levels for the CHGME program at $315 million. This newest bill would increase the program’s authorization by an additional $15 million.

This vital program supports Ohio Children’s hospitals and helps train the next generation of pediatricians by providing children’s teaching hospitals with the federal support they need to train new physicians.
“The Children’s Hospital Graduate Medical Education program is critical to sustaining the nation’s pediatric physician workforce.  This legislation will ensure that hospitals can continue to train future pediatricians to care for children in Ohio and across the country,” said Portman. 
Portman and Brown led prior efforts to include CHGME funding in annual appropriations packages and have consistently voted to reauthorize this critical program, which they helped create in 1999. This legislation will ensure continued funding for the children’s hospitals in Ohio that rely on CHGME dollars to help support the training necessary to provide our children with the highest quality of care.
The CHGME program has provided children’s teaching hospitals with federal support for job training for physicians who care for children for decades. The program was first enacted by Congress in 1999 with bipartisan support, and has been reauthorized four times since then, each time with broad bipartisan support

At Senate Finance Committee Hearing, Portman Highlights the Positive Impact of Tax Reform on the Economy and Small Businesses

During a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Portman highlighted the positive impact that tax reform has had, and continues to have, on small businesses across the country, and especially in Ohio. Senator Portman also discussed the importance of the new tax reform law in making America more competitive, encouraging U.S. businesses to bring jobs and investment home. As part of his Results for the Middle-Class Tax Reform Tour, Senator Portman has visited 16 different businesses across Ohio to hear how the new tax reform law has benefitted their companies and workers. 

A transcript of his remarks can be seen here and a video can be found here: 
Wednesday, April 25

Portman on the Senate Floor: Let’s Confirm Mike Pompeo for Secretary of State

Portman spoke on the Senate floor in support of Mike Pompeo for Secretary of State. He highlighted Director Pompeo’s extensive qualifications including his military career, his time on the House Intelligence Committee, his successful career as a businessman, and his role as CIA Director. Portman said that presidents are entitled to choose their own advisers, and nothing about Pompeo is disqualifying – that’s why he was confirmed with bipartisan support as CIA Director by a wide margin of 66-32. Portman believes we must have someone in place to advance our interests on the world stage, and that Director Pompeo is eminently qualified to fill this role. He also voiced his support of Rick Grenell to be Ambassador to Germany and addressed Mr. Grenell’s qualifications for the position, including his role as Director of Communications and Public Diplomacy for the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

A full transcript of his remarks can be found here and a video can be found here.

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

Portman and Sherrod Brown (D-OH)  announced more than 250 sites where Ohioans can safely dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs on “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” on Saturday, April 28 from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in an effort to provide safe, convenient and responsible means for disposal of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse and medications.
“Four out of five people addicted to opioids start out using prescription drugs,” said Portman. “That’s why I urge all Ohioans to clean out their medicine cabinets and participate in this year’s Drug Take Back event. Together, we can stem the tide of addiction and ensure that every Ohioan can reach their God-given potential.”
Last week, Portman announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is releasing a total of $485 million for states hardest hit by the opioid epidemic, including $26 million in the first round of funding to Ohio. This grant is the second batch of funding made possible by the 21st Century Cures Act, which Portman supported.
Ohioans can look up the drug take back site closest to them here.

Portman Op-Ed in The Hill: “We Must All Come Together To Overcome The Opioid Epidemic”

Senator Portman and David Hudson, National Commander of The Salvation Army, penned a joint op-ed in The Hill on the need for everyone—in government, in the private sector, and in our communities—to work together to overcome the opioid epidemic. 2016 was the deadliest year on record for overdose deaths and initial estimates suggest 2017 was even worse. Senator Portman’s Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) became law in 2016 and directed federal resources toward addiction prevention, treatment, and—for the first time in federal law—recovery. Recently, Portman introduced the bipartisan CARA 2.0 Actto build on the success of CARA, provide additional resources to help turn the tide of addiction, and put in place policy reforms that will strengthen the federal government’s response to this crisis.

Said Portman and Hudson in the piece: “The federal government can help solve this crisis, but the heavy lifting will come at the local level. We need businesses more engaged in growing our workforce and helping people out of the shadows; we need community leaders to promote awareness of these issues to overcome the stigma of addiction; we need faith groups to meet human need without discrimination and help people heal; and so much more. 
Opioids have overtaken our communities—only together can we overcome and take them back.”
Excerpts of the op-ed can be found here and the full op-ed can be found at this link. 
Thursday, April 26

Portman Opening Statement at PSI Hearing on Oversight of HHS & DHS Efforts to Protect Unaccompanied Minors from Human Trafficking & Abuse

Portman, the Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), delivered remarks at a hearing to examine efforts by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to protect unaccompanied minors from human trafficking and other forms of abuse.  This hearing follows up on PSI’s hearing on January 28, 2016 at which the Subcommittee released a report detailing how HHS placed eight children with human traffickers who placed the children in forced labor on an egg farm in Marion, Ohio.  The Subcommittee found that HHS had failed to establish procedures to protect UACs, such as conducting sufficient background checks on sponsors and following up with sponsors and UACs to ensure UACs’ welfare.  

You can find a transcript of Portman’s opening statement here and you can watch his opening statement here. 

Portman Votes to Confirm Mike Pompeo for Secretary of State

Portman issued the following statement after voting to confirm CIA Director Mike Pompeo as our new Secretary of State:

“Mike Pompeo has the qualifications and experience necessary to be a terrific Secretary of State, and I look forward to working with him in this new role.  His qualifications for this role speak for themselves, whether it’s his service as Director of the CIA, as a former member of Congress who served on the House Intelligence Committee, a graduate at the top of his class at West Point, a Magna Cum Laude graduate at Harvard, and a successful businessman in the private sector. 
“Traditionally, Secretaries of State are confirmed by huge numbers, in part because every President—regardless of party—deserves to have his team around him as he makes important policy decisions. I’m disappointed that was not the case today. Colin Powell was confirmed by unanimous consent with no opposition.  John Kerry was confirmed with 94 votes.  Hillary Clinton was confirmed with 94 votes.  Condoleeza Rice was confirmed with 85 votes.  We face a number of challenging threats around the globe – whether it’s North Korea, Iran, or Russia, to name a few – and we must have someone in place to advance America’s interests at the world stage.  Mike Pompeo is eminently qualified to fill this role.”

Portman, Brown, Rubio, Schumer, Capito, Markey Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Law Enforcement Investigate Fentanyl, Protect Officers

Portman, Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced bipartisan legislation to help state and local law enforcement obtain screening equipment to quickly detect dangerous drugs like the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl so that they can investigate appropriately. 

The Providing Officers with Electronic Resources (POWER) Act would establish a new grant program through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to help state and local law enforcement organizations secure these high-tech, portable screening devices.
“Fentanyl continues to ravage communities in Ohio and across the country.  Law enforcement and other first responders need all the tools available to detect and stop fentanyl, which is 50 times more powerful than heroin.  The POWER Act will help provide officers with devices to screen and identify fentanyl and other synthetic drugs more quickly and efficiently,” said Senator Portman.
These devices are already widely used by federal law enforcement to identify dangerous drugs at U.S. ports of entry. The devices use laser technology to analyze potentially harmful substances - even through some packaging - and identify those substances based on a library of thousands of compounds that are categorized within the device. 
The devices could also help address the backlog of drugs awaiting laboratory identification which will allow law enforcement to more effectively conduct drug investigations and prosecutions. Without these devices, suspected drugs have to be sent to labs for testing - which can take months in some cases, delaying the justice system. And because the devices can quickly and effectively alert officers to dangerous substances in the field, they also help ensure officers can test and handle substances like fentanyl safely.   The POWER Act is supported by the National Sheriffs’ Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Major Cities Chiefs Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Association of Police Organizations, National HIDTA Directors Association, Sergeants Benevolent Association, International Union of Police Associations, National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies, National Tactical Officers Association, Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association, and Ohio Fraternal Order of Police.

On CNBC, Portman Discusses Modernizing NAFTA, How Trade Benefits Our Economy & More

During an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, Senator Portman discussed his support for modernizing NAFTA, how trade benefits our economy, and holding China accountable for playing by the rules. Portman also reiterated his support for Mike Pompeo’s for Secretary of State and discussed Admiral Ronny Jackson’s withdrawal from consideration to be the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Excerpts of the interview can be found here and a video can be found here. 
Friday, April 27

In Cincinnati, Portman Delivers Remarks at the Center for Addiction Treatment’s Annual Breakfast

Portman delivered remarks at the Center for Addiction Treatment’s 7th annual pancake breakfast to honor local leaders committed to helping others overcome their addiction and recover. 

“It was an honor to participate in the Center for Addiction Treatment’s annual breakfast this morning. The dedication and engagement across Hamilton County through their tireless, hard-working local leaders is an example of the unified effort needed to overcome the opioid epidemic gripping our state,” said Portman. “The Center for Addiction Treatment’s services are crucial for assisting in the treatment of addiction, providing modern scientific approaches to the assessment and medical care of patients suffering from addiction. I recently introduced CARA 2.0 to increase federal funding for CARA’s evidenced-based prevention, treatment and recovery programs, and worked to secure an additional $6 billion over two years in the recent budget agreement to combat the opioid epidemic. We need to direct those resources to evidence-based programs that really work and are making a real difference in our communities.”
The Center for Addiction Treatment’s offers professional help for drug and alcohol addictions treatment through its comprehensive programs and services including Medically Monitored Detox, Short-Term Residential Treatment Program, Medication Assisted Treatment, Mental Health Counseling Services, and Primary Care. 
Portman has been a leader in the fight for more funding to combat this crisis. Portman worked to secure $1 billion in new funding for state grants to right opioid abuse in the CURES Act and $181 million annually in discretionary spending for new programs through his bipartisanComprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act(CARA). Recently, Portman introduced the bipartisan CARA 2.0 Act. This bill will build on the success of CARA, provide additional resources to help turn the tide of addiction, and put in place policy reforms that will strengthen the federal government’s response to this crisis.
Photos of the event can be found here. 

On the Senate Floor, Portman Discusses Opioid Epidemic, His Two Bipartisan Bills to Help Turn the Tide of Addiction

Portman delivered remarks on the Senate floor discussing the nature of the opioid epidemic gripping Ohio—and our country—and two of his bills that will give law enforcement and affected communities the tools to combat this crisis. He discussed his bipartisan Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act, legislation designed to help combat addiction on the front end by giving law enforcement the tools to identify and stop dangerous synthetic drugs such as fentanyl and carfentanil from being shipped through our borders to drug traffickers here in the United States. Portman also discussed the CARA 2.0 Act. This bill will build on the success of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), provide additional resources to help turn the tide of addiction, and put in place policy reforms that will strengthen the federal government’s response to this crisis.

A full transcript of his remarks can be found here and a video can be found here.

Portman Urges Senate Armed Services Committee to Continue Funding Stryker Vehicle Upgrade

Portman led a letter to Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI) urging them to continue funding for modernizing Stryker Vehicles in the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. The Stryker is the Army’s most versatile and deployable combat vehicle, and this funding would provide Stryker Brigades with the most modernized Stryker A1 vehicle with survivability improvements to the vehicle hull and other mobility and communication improvements.  The FY2018 Appropriations Bill, signed into law last month, provided $348 million to complete the fourth Brigade set of modernized Stryker vehicles.  The Army’s proposed budget for FY2019 did not include the necessary funding to continue producing these vehicles, despite the service’s intention to upgrade all remaining Stryker Brigades with these upgrades.  

U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Angus King (I-ME), Lindsay Graham (R-SC), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Doug Jones (D-AL), joined Portman in signing the letter.
“Because of the success and importance of combining the DVH upgrade and these engineering changes, the Army has designated this combination the Stryker A1 vehicle — a clearly more capable and survivable Stryker vehicle than any in the legacy fleet. For the past three years, Congress has consistently provided funding for production of the Stryker A1 vehicle as a major improvement of the legacy fleet, even when the Army did not include funding in its budget request. This funding should continue,” write the Senators.  “We respectfully request that you include funding to produce the first half of the next brigade set of Stryker A1 vehicles in the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act.”
Full text of the letter can be found here.

In Cincinnati, Portman Attends PreventionFIRST!’s Annual Community Awards Luncheon

Portman attended PreventionFIRST!’s 22nd Annual Community Awards Luncheon to help recognize individuals who have championed drug prevention efforts in their communities. 
In 1996 when Portman served in the House of Representatives, he founded the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati, now PreventionFIRST! with an impressive group of Cincinnatians, including Ohio First Lady Emeritus Hope Taft. PreventionFIRST! was founded as a comprehensive effort to help combat youth substance abuse. 
“It’s hard to believe that it’s been more than 20 years since I helped start this non-profit with Mary Haag, John Pepper, Former Ohio First Lady Hope Taft, and Rev. Damon Lynch. Today I was proud to participate in the presentation of honoring individuals who are shining examples of the unified effort needed to overcome the opioid epidemic gripping our state,” said Portman. “This organization has made a real difference in this community by ensuring data-driven decision-making for prevention action, strengthening local anti-drug efforts, and encouraging collaboration across community sectors to implement evidence-based prevention services.”
Portman has been a leader in the fight for more funding to combat this crisis. Portman worked to secure $1 billion in new funding for state grants to right opioid abuse in the CURES Act and $181 million annually in discretionary spending for new programs through his bipartisanComprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act(CARA). Recently, Portman introduced the bipartisan CARA 2.0 Act. This bill will build on the success of CARA, provide additional resources to help turn the tide of addiction, and put in place policy reforms that will strengthen the federal government’s response to this crisis.  He also recently 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.
Photos of the event can be found here. 

Portman, Stabenow, Bipartisan Colleagues Request Full Funding for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Co-Chairs of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force Portman and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Vice-Chair Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with members of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Gary Peters (D-MI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Bob Casey (D-PA) today sent a letter to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Ranking Member Tom Udall (D-NM) requesting full funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). GLRI is a results-driven program designed to address the most serious issues that threaten the ecological and economic well-being of the Great Lakes basin, including invasive species, pollution, and toxic contamination.
“We are requesting full funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) at $300 million,” wrote the Senators.  “As you are aware, the President’s FY2019 budget request cut funding for the GLRI by 90% after proposing to eliminate funding for the program in the FY2018 budget request. We are concerned that these proposed cuts will reverse the progress that has been made to protect and improve the Great Lakes, the world’s largest freshwater body, which supplies drinking water to millions of people and contributes billions of dollars to the economy each year. We appreciate your past support of the GLRI and look forward to working with you to ensure that the program remains fully funded.”
Full text of the letter can be found here.

Senate Passes Portman Resolution to Designate April 2018 as “Second Chance Month”

The United States Senate passed a bipartisan resolution authored by U.S. Senators Portman and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to designate April 2018 as “Second Chance Month” and honor those who work to remove unnecessary barriers that prevent those with a criminal record from becoming productive members of society. Portman, who is the author of the Second Chance Act, introduced an identical resolution in March 2017 and the Senate passed it unanimously. 
“An estimated 65 million Americans have a criminal record, and 95 percent of current inmates are set to be released one day, two thirds of whom will be released in the next five years. Sadly, too many Americans who serve their time become caught up in a cycle of crime,” said Portman. “The Second Chance Act breaks that cycle through drug treatment and job training, and that makes our community safer, saves taxpayer dollars, and most importantly, helps former inmates rebuild their lives and achieve their God-given potential. Since the Second Chance Act was first signed into law in 2007, thousands of Ohioans and more than 137,000 people in 49 states have received reentry services, changing thousands of lives in Ohio and across the country. The mistakes of our past don’t have to define the potential for our future. By designating April as Second Chance Month, we are supporting those who are returning from prison and want a fair shot at living an honest and productive life by increasing public awareness and getting them the help they need. I will continue my bipartisan efforts to renew and strengthen this critical law.”
On Social Media 

Sen. Rob Portman grills HHS on handling of unaccompanied immigrant children
Federal agencies responsible for processing unaccompanied minor immigrants who enter the United States still haven't fixed glitches that have let children fall in with human traffickers, Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman said Thursday.
A subcommittee chaired by Portman began examining the issue after eight minors from Guatemala were placed with human traffickers who forced them to work 12-hour days, six days a week at egg farms around Marion, Ohio. The traffickers are facing criminal charges.
The departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services - which are responsible for ensuring those children's safety - promised they'd come up with a joint plan to fix problems by February 2017, but they still haven't devised one, Portman said at a follow-up hearing on Thursday.
Although HHS started performing welfare checks on children and their sponsors 30 days after placement, it couldn't determine the whereabouts of 1,475 of the 7,635 unaccompanied minors it tried to reach between October and December of last year, Portman said.
"These kids, regardless of their immigration status, deserve to be treated properly, not abused or trafficked," Portman said, giving DHS and HHS until Monday to provide him with a time frame to deliver a plan to better monitor the children's whereabouts and welfare. "This is all about accountability."
DHS and HHS officials at the hearing told Portman their agencies have made procedural changes to improve oversight over the children's well-being. But they acknowledged they are continuing to draft the "Joint Concept of Operations" that Portman requested to make sure the agencies are communicating with each other to best ensure the childrens's safety.
…
Child welfare lawyers from Ohio who testified before Portman's committee said increased enforcement of immigration laws has made family members of unaccompanied minors who enter the United States more reluctant to come forward to take responsibility for them.
(Sen. Rob Portman grills HHS on handling of unaccompanied immigrant children. Sabrina Eaton. Cleveland Plain Dealer. April 26. 2018.)
 

Craft Distillers, Facing Lower Taxes, Invest in Themselves
Small craft distillers across the country have been on a spending spree since the turn of the new year.
St. George Spirits, in Alameda, Calif., recently invested in more efficient pumps, new lab equipment and an automated bottling line. House Spirits Distillery, in Portland, Ore., has laid down many more barrels of its Westward single-malt whiskey to meet anticipated future demand.
…
But the tax cut is having its biggest impact with small craft distillers, most of which turn out less than 100,000 gallons a year and struggle to compete with larger companies. And it is evidence of their growing political clout as distilling becomes a significant source of jobs and tax revenue in every state.
The backing for the move attested to that geographical and political reach. By the time the amendment — introduced by a bipartisan group of lawmakers from Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon and Wisconsin — was adopted in a final version by Senator Rob Portman, Republican of Ohio, it had collected 304 co-sponsors in the House and 56 in the Senate.
“This is a tremendous change from where we were in the past, fighting tax increases,” said Frank Coleman, a senior vice president of the Distilled Spirits Council, a trade association representing American producers and marketers. “Up until recently, the efforts on taxes at the federal level were entirely defensive.”
(Craft Distillers, Facing Lower Taxes, Invest in Themselves. Robert Simonson. New York Times. April 23. 2018.)