This week, Senator Portman’s focus was on health care, where his goal is to create a more workable health care system that lowers the cost of coverage and provides access to quality care, while protecting the most vulnerable in our society. He also continued his work to combat human trafficking, hold Russia, Iran, and North Korea accountable for their destabilizing and aggressive behavior, and deliver results for Ohio workers. For a more in depth look at Senator Portman’s week, please see the following:

Monday, July 24

Anti-Trafficking Organizations Support Portman, McCaskill, Carper Backpage Criminal Referral to Justice Department

The country’s leading anti-trafficking organizations are applauding the actions of U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), and Tom Carper (D-DE) in recommending the Department of Justice launch a criminal review of Backpage.com.

“Backpage’s knowing facilitation of human trafficking is abhorrent and deserves universal condemnation,” said Portman. “As we seek justice for the vulnerable women and young girls who have been exploited through Backpage and work to prevent future online sex trafficking, I am proud to have the backing of prominent anti-trafficking organizations as well as numerous families affected by these heinous crimes. Alongside these groups and advocates, we will continue to work to end this tragic exploitation once and for all and bring justice to those who perpetrate it.”  

The bipartisan group of Senators recently said they believe there is sufficient evidence to warrant a criminal review by the Department of Justice, following a two-year Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations inquiry, led by Portman and McCaskill, which culminated in a report entitled “Backpage.com’s Knowing Facilitation of Online Sex Trafficking,” and found that Backpage knowingly facilitated criminal sex trafficking of vulnerable women and young girls and covered up evidence of these crimes in order to increase its own profits.

“We at NCMEC know that many victims and their families around the country are seeking their day in court,” wrote National Center for Missing Children CEO John F. Clark in series of tweets applauding the announcement. “The action taken today by [the three Senators] amplifies the voices of these survivors and strengthens their effort to seek justice against everyone who participated in their suffering.”

“We are thankful to Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), and Tom Carper (D-DE) for their leadership in the exhaustive investigation of Backpage.com’s role in facilitating online sex trafficking, and their clarion call for the Department of Justice to proceed with a criminal investigation,” wrote Polaris Project, Ending Child Slavery at the Source, Demand Abolition, and Thorn in a joint statement applauding the Senators’ referral. “No child or adult deserves to be sold online, on a street corner, in a “massage” brothel, or anywhere else.”

For more information about Portman’s work to combat human trafficking and PSI’s investigation into Backpage, go here.

Portman, Brown Announce Positive Ruling in Aluminum Extrusions Case

Portman and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that, at their urging, the Commerce Department has ruled that U.S. aluminum extrusions producers are being harmed by unfair trade practices by foreign competitors. Last month, Portman and Brown wrote to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in support of the Aluminum Extrusions Fair Trade committee in support of their case, urging them to rule against Chinese producers’ use of a new grade of aluminum extrusions to circumvent duties.

“I applaud Commerce’s decision to fight back against Chinese efforts to avoid our trade laws and protect American jobs,” said Portman.  “Ohio aluminum producers can compete and win against anyone if they get a fair shake, and I will continue to work to ensure they are protected against those who refuse to play by the rules.”

Portman and Brown have worked to give domestic industries the ability to fight unfair trade practices. In June 2015, Portman and Brown’s Leveling the Playing Field Act was signed into law, ushering in the most significant changes to trade remedy law since 2002.

The text of Portman and Brown’s letter to Ross in June can be found here.

Tuesday, July 25

Portman Votes to Start Debate on Health Care Reform

Portman issued the following statement after voting to begin debate on health care reform on Tuesday:

“As I’ve said many times during this debate, my goal is to create a more workable health care system that lowers the cost of coverage and provides access to quality care, while protecting the most vulnerable in our society. The Affordable Care Act, or ObamaCare, isn’t working for Ohio. Over the past several years, because of ObamaCare, families and small businesses have seen their insurance costs skyrocket as choices have shrunk. We now have 19 counties in Ohio without any insurers in the exchanges, and 27 counties with just one insurer. With more and more Ohioans facing higher costs and limited options, I am committed to repealing and replacing this law with better solutions. But as ObamaCare is replaced, it must be done in a way that gives all Ohioans access to affordable health care.

“The most recent version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) is an improvement over the first Senate bill. The measure includes reforms that will help lower premiums on families and small businesses and provide $45 billion in new resources for states to address the opioid epidemic and give recovering addicts an opportunity to access treatment as they work to get back on their feet. I continue to have concerns, however, about the Medicaid policies in the bill, and that’s why I’ve been working to ensure that those on traditional Medicaid will have access to care and those on expanded Medicaid continue to have good health care options under a new system, including affordable health care options on the private market.

“Over the last week, I’ve continued to have good conversations with the president, the vice president, administration officials and my colleagues about ways to improve this bill further, including a plan to help those on Medicaid expansion and other low-income Americans get access to affordable health care on the private market. I am pleased that I have received a commitment that the Senate will vote on this plan as a central part of this process.”

On Senate Floor, Portman Discusses Health Care, New Effort to Help Low-Income Americans Get Affordable Care

Portman delivered remarks on the Senate floor Tuesday night following his vote to begin debate on health care reform earlier in the day. Portman discussed his goal to lower costs for Ohio families and small businesses and a new Portman-led effort designed to help low-income Americans get access to affordable health care.

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

Portman Statement Regarding Attorney General Jeff Sessions

Portman released the following statement regarding Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

“Jeff Sessions is a friend, former colleague, and an honorable person. He is a man of deep conviction and principle who believes in the rule of law. We may not agree on every policy issue, but I believe he always has the best interests of our country at heart.”

Portman Presses Administration on Designating North Korea a State Sponsor of Terrorism

During a Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia hearing on Engagement Policy with North Korea, Portman questioned administration officials on the steps the United States is taking to hold North Korea accountable for its dangerous and destabilizing behavior, including re-designating it a state sponsor of terrorism. Portman, who recently introduced legislation to tighten the United States’ economic embargo on North Korea and its enablers, also discussed the importance of working with China and the international community to hold North Korea accountable.

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

Wednesday, July 26

Portman Statement on Obamacare Repeal Only Vote

Portman voted against Wednesday’s Obamacare repeal only amendment, after supporting a plan to repeal and replace Tuesday evening. He issued the following statement:

“I have said consistently that I support repealing and replacing Obamacare, and I voted to do so last night. I’m not giving up on doing both of those things. Because we now have 19 counties in Ohio without a single health insurer and 27 with just one, repealing this law without any replacement would leave tens of thousands of Ohioans stranded without health insurance and everyone with higher costs. We need to roll up our sleeves and come up with a better health care system. Just kicking the can down the road adds more uncertainty to the failed status quo, and according to all the experts I talk to, that means higher premiums, higher deductibles and more insurance companies leaving Ohio. We need a rescue plan for Ohio families who are suffering under the status quo, not one that makes the health care system worse for Ohio families.

“I will continue to fight for a better health care system that lowers the cost of coverage and provides access to quality care, while protecting the most vulnerable in our society. I will continue to work with my colleagues on positive solutions that make our health care system work better for all Ohioans.”

Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee Approves Two Portman Bills

Portman announced that the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee unanimously approved two of his bills: the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Modernization Act and the Federal Register Printing Savings Act. The TSP Modernizations Act, introduced in April with Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), provides needed retirement flexibility to federal employees by modernizing TSP’s outdated withdrawal rules, which are currently prompting many federal workers to cash out of the TSP entirely. The Federal Register Printing Savings Act, introduced in May, would save taxpayer dollars by eliminating the mandatory daily printing and delivery of the Federal Register to congressional offices.

“I am pleased that two common-sense, bipartisan bills to help make the federal government more accountable have been approved out of committee. The TSP Modernization Act will modernize the Thrift Savings Plan and help federal employees maximize their retirement security.  In addition, the Federal Register Printing Savings Act will help save taxpayer dollars and make the federal government more efficient and effective,” said Senator Portman. “I urge my Senate colleagues to act quickly on this bipartisan legislation.”

For more information on the bills, go here.

Thursday, July 27

Portman Supports Moving Towards House-Senate Conference on Health Care Reform

Portman issued the following statement on his support for moving towards a House-Senate conference on health care reform:

“I will support legislation to move this process to a House-Senate conference because I believe we need to repeal and replace Obamacare. This law isn’t working for Ohio families and small businesses who’ve seen their premiums and deductibles skyrocket. Throughout this debate, I have fought for Ohio priorities, including adding to the Senate replacement bill an unprecedented $45 billion in new resources for opioid treatment and $100 billion to help low-income Americans get high-quality, affordable health care. I will continue to fight for those priorities in a House-Senate conference and fight for a better health care system that lowers the cost of coverage, provides access to quality care, and protects the most vulnerable in our society.”

Portman Praises Senate Passage of Iran, Russia, and North Korea Sanctions, Urges President to Sign Bill

Portman praised Senate passage of Iran, Russia, and North Korea sanctions legislation and urged the president to quickly sign the bill:

“The United States Congress has voted to hold Iran, Russia, and North Korea accountable for their aggressive and destabilizing behavior. I’m pleased my priorities to counter Russian propaganda and disinformation are included in the bill. These countries actively undermine U.S. allies and interests and this legislation sends a clear signal that their actions have consequences. The important sanctions and policies included in this legislation will also provide constructive guidance to the administration as it continues to formulate its policies and demonstrate the depth of the support in Congress for a firm and principled approach to Russia, Iran, and North Korea. I strongly urge President Trump to sign this legislation.”

NOTE: The policy portion of the Russia sanctions component is based on the Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act, sponsored by Senators Portman, Cardin and Coons, which passed the SFRC by a vote of 20-1. The bill also includes a Portman initiative to counter Russian influence and disinformation, which passed by a bipartisan vote of 18-3.

For more information about Portman’s priorities, go here.

Portman Statement on Tax Reform Consensus

Portman issued the following statement on the consensus statement on tax reform released by House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX):

“Tax reform is about more jobs and better wages, and this is a sign that we are making progress with our friends in the House and the Trump Administration. Tax reform will give our economy a shot in the arm, and I’m committed to working with my colleagues to get this done to benefit Ohio and our country.”

Portman Welcomes Small Business Administration Regulatory Roundtable in Cleveland

Portman announced that he welcomes the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration’s regulatory roundtable in Cleveland next week and encourages all small businesses in Ohio to join the discussion. The purpose of this event is for the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration to gain valuable insight into which specific federal regulatory burdens present the biggest barriers to small business growth. With these recommendations, the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration can better assist federal agencies in complying with President Trump’s directives to reduce burdensome regulations. 

“When I’m back home, whether it’s at a small auto body shop, or a big steel plant, or a soybean farm, I hear the same thing: burdensome regulations from Washington are hurting their efforts to grow their business and create jobs. People are frustrated and they should be; the regulatory process hasn’t been significantly reformed in 70 years. That’s why I introduced the bipartisan Regulatory Accountability Act, which will help give our economy a shot in the arm, create more jobs and raise wages for Americans all across our country,” said Portman.  “I am pleased that the SBA Office of Advocacy is coming to Ohio to listen to small business owners and discuss the kinds of common-sense reforms found in our bill that will provide them with relief and put more people back to work. I encourage all small businesses in Ohio to join the discussion.” 

“A main priority of the Office of Advocacy is to become increasingly accessible to all small businesses,” said Major L. Clark III, Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy. “Holding these regional roundtables to hear concerns directly from small business owners is a key component in our efforts to help lessen the heavy regulatory burden on small business.”

This event is open to the public. If you would like to attend, please register here.

Portman on the Opioid Epidemic: “We Have a Real Crisis on Our Hands”

During an interview on C-SPAN, Senator Portman discussed the heroin and prescription drug crisis devastating communities across Ohio and our country. Portman, who is author of the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), has been a national leader in combating this epidemic. He is now urging action on his bipartisan Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act, legislation designed to help prevent dangerous synthetic drugs like fentanyl from being shipped through our borders to drug traffickers here in the United States.

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

Friday, July 28

Portman Statement on Health Care

Portman issued the following statement on health care after the failed vote in the Senate Friday morning:

“I am disappointed that the Senate was unable to proceed towards a House-Senate conference. Throughout this debate, I’ve consistently fought for a better health care system that lowers the cost of coverage and provides access to quality care, while protecting the most vulnerable in our society.

“Obamacare isn’t working for Ohio families and small businesses, many of whom have seen their premiums and deductibles skyrocket, and they need relief. That’s why I supported legislation earlier this week to repeal and replace this law. That legislation included a number of proposals I fought for, including $45 billion to address the opioid epidemic, a glide path to avoid pulling the rug out from under Ohioans on Medicaid expansion, and $100 billion for an innovative approach to providing low-income Americans with access to affordable health care.

“I know some may want to throw in the towel and do nothing, but I don’t believe that is the responsible course of action. Doing nothing would leave tens of thousands of Ohioans stranded without health insurance and everyone with higher costs.

“We can do better, and I’m not giving up. I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on common-sense solutions on behalf of Ohio families who are suffering under the failed status quo. I hope the Senate Finance Committee, on which I serve, will announce a series of health care hearings.

“People are rightly frustrated on both sides of the aisle. We must come together as an institution and do better for Ohioans—and all Americans.”

On Social Media

Sen. Portman: Redesignate North Korea as a State Sponsor of Terrorism

Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio) urged the State Department to redesignate North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism during a Senate Foreign Relations committee hearing concerning United States strategy toward the regime.

The designation was removed in 2008 when North Korea agreed to shut down its plutonium factories. The agreement was not kept. Relabeling the state as a sponsor of terrorism would increase the pressure the United States has been putting on North Korea since the death of University of Virginia student Otto Warmbier and the successful July 4 ballistic missile test, Portman said.

"North Korea's record with sharing dangerous nuclear technology with state sponsors of terrorism, including Iran and Syria continues to pose a serious threat not just to the U.S. but to the security environment in East Asia and elsewhere," he said.

(“Sen. Portman: Redesignate North Korea as a State Sponsor of Terrorism,” Nic Rowan. Washington Free Beacon. July 26, 2017)

Capito, Portman Priorities Right

If there is one thing certain to get the hackles of West Virginians and East Ohioans up, it is telling us that trying to do the right thing is, well, wrong.

Two of our U.S. senators are being accused of just that.

It has proved so difficult to repeal and replace the Obamacare health insurance law that some in Congress are thinking of repealing now and replacing later. That is, they want to enact a bill that would do away with Obamacare within two years, but without having a replacement plan in place.

Among senators who have said they cannot go along with that are Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.; and Rob Portman, R-Ohio. Both have said such action would be a disservice to many of their constituents.

Portman, Capito and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, have become targets of critics who hope to pressure them into changing their minds. The three have one thing in common: In 2015, all voted for a proposal to repeal Obamacare. They are being called hypocrites for refusing to go along with simple repeal now.

But this is not 2015. The political realities are much different. For one thing, the outlook two years ago was that if Obamacare was repealed, it could be succeeded quickly by a reasonable replacement…

(“Capito, Portman Priorities Right,” Editorial. Wheeling Intelligencer. July 27, 2017)

Ohio senator wants website investigated for sex trafficking

Ohio Senator Rob Portman recently spoke on the Senate floor about his desire to have the sex trafficking site backpage.com investigated.

Portman recommended the Department of Justice do an investigation of the site for many reasons. The request follows a two year permanent subcommittee after a report found that backpage.com knowingly facilitates criminal sex trafficking. The report also found that backpage covered up evidence of the sex trafficking crimes in order to increase its own profits. Backpage.com alone has an estimated revenue of more than 150 million dollars a year, making it a market leader in commercial sex trafficking. The site has been linked to hundreds of reported cases of sex trafficking and Senator Portman has seen enough.

(“Ohio senator wants website investigated for sex trafficking,” Joseph Sharpe. Lima Your News Now. July 24, 2017)

Opioid epidemic affects all of us

It is perplexing that some citizens continue to have so little compassion for victims of the heroin and opioid epidemic. It is not unusual to hear of addicts being dismissed as dregs of society and of the drug crisis as “not my problem.”

It is a problem for all of us.

The epidemic’s widespread impact was hammered home last week when a Cleveland police officer was hospitalized after being exposed to fentanyl while executing a warrant. He is not the first. An East Liverpool, Ohio, officer nearly died after coming into contact with fentanyl in May. Four doses of Narcan were used to save him. Three drug-sniffing dogs in Florida overdosed last year during a drug sweep. A 10-year-old Florida boy died on June 23 from a toxic mixture of heroin and fentanyl.

The sad and scary stories go on and on and on.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is 50 times stronger than heroin, and a grain of it can be fatal. When it becomes airborne, it can be unknowingly ingested by officers, their dogs, even nearby children. The opioid epidemic, and fentanyl, specifically, has become a crusade for Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio). In February, he co-authored the Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention Act, which is intended to increase scrutiny of overseas packages being delivered through the U.S. Postal Service. Fentanyl and the even stronger carfentanil are often shipped from unregulated pharmacies in Mexico, China, and India….

(“Opioid epidemic affects all of us,” Editorial. Toledo Blade. July 24, 2017)

Energy Secretary Rick Perry will visit Piketon plant July 31

Senator Rob Portman released the following statement announcing that Secretary of Energy Rick Perry will visit the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant and former American Centrifuge Project facility in Piketon on July 31st:

“I’m excited to announce that Secretary Perry has accepted my invitation to visit the cleanup site of the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant to get a firsthand look at the cleanup work and to see the importance of the work to local economy. Secretary Perry made a personal commitment to me that he will use his executive experience to better manage the work at Piketon to ensure the site can be cleaned up faster and reindustrialized for a new purpose that will benefit the Piketon economy…

(“Energy Secretary Rick Perry will visit Piketon plant July 31,” Staff. Portsmouth Daily Times. July 25, 2017)

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