Source: United States Senator for Ohio Rob Portman
December 9, 2022 | Rob’s Rundown
Senator Portman was back in Washington this week where he delivered his formal farewell speech and reflected on his time in Washington, D.C. serving in the House of Representatives, Senate, and two Cabinet-level positions. Portman noted historic bipartisan legislation including the infrastructure bill, semiconductor manufacturing with the Chips + Science Act, and the Respect for Marriage Act. A member of various committees and bipartisan “gangs,” Senator Portman has been able to break through the gridlock in a deadlocked Congress to get results. An independent voice for the people of Ohio, Portman had 82 bills signed into law by President Trump, 68 under President Obama, and more than 40 thus far under President Biden. Portman thanked his colleagues, staff, friends and family, and Ohio for giving him the honor of serving the Buckeye State. Most importantly, he thanked his family and especially his wife Jane of 36 years. Portman stated he intends to stay involved in public service, and will always push for bipartisanship to move the ball forward for the American people. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell honored Senator Portman’s service in a speech on the Senate floor as well on Thursday.
On Tuesday, Portman, as Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee announced that his bipartisan Metropolitan Areas Protection and Standardization (MAPS) Act, legislation to help protect communities across the country from possible consequences that may occur by changing the population threshold for metropolitan areas, has been signed into law. Portman also announced that the House passed his bipartisan Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act to make permanent the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Risk Index (NRI) – an online tool that utilizes data to identify communities that are most vulnerable to natural disasters.
On Wednesday, Portman spoke on the Senate floor for the 27th consecutive session week regarding the situation in Ukraine. Portman discussed the situation on the battlefield and Russian assaults on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing blackouts throughout the nation and forcing Ukrainians to endure brutal winter months. Portman also urged the administration to provide more aid to Ukraine, including fourth-generation fighter jets, Abrams main battle tanks, and long-range missiles. Portman also reflected on Ukraine’s wins on the battlefield, and how those victories have been made possible with the generous support of the American people and our allies. He spoke about the significant safeguards and transparency mechanisms that are in place for all U.S. assistance to Ukraine, and that there has been no documented instance of diversion of military aid. He also applauded the European Union’s ban on seaborne Russian oil sales but expressed skepticism that the European, G-7, and Australian “price cap” will make a significant impact on Russian oil revenues.
Also on Wednesday, Portman, announced that 16 of his key priorities as Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee have been included in the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Portman also had an additional six standalone bills included in the final text of NDAA including the Otto Warmbier Countering North Korean Censorship and Surveillance Act, the Lake Erie Water Quality Protection Act and the FENTANYL Results Act, among others.
For a more detailed look at Senator Portman’s week, please see the following:
Monday, December 5, 2022
Portman Applauds National Park Service Announcement Designating Montgomery County, Ohio, as an American World War II Heritage City
Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman praised the announcement from the National Park Service (NPS) that it was designating 18 new communities across the United States, including Montgomery County, Ohio, as American World War II Heritage Cities. The American World War II Heritage Cities Program honors the contributions of local towns, cities, counties , and their citizens who stepped into the workforce to support America’s war effort during World War II. Only one American World War II Heritage City can be designated in each state. During World War II, Wright Field near Dayton hosted many diverse military operations, and residents across the region served in civil defense programs. Portman, who has long been a leader in the U.S. Senate in efforts to protect our national parks and historic landmarks, released the following statement:
“It’s an honor for Montgomery County and its partners including the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Carillon Historical Park, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to be showcased by the National Parks Service as an American World War II Heritage City,” said Portman. “Ensuring that our nation’s rich aviation history in Montgomery County is preserved is our responsibility and I hope this national treasure is enjoyed by future generations to come.”
NOTE: In August 2021, Senator Portman sent a letter of support to National Park Service Deputy Director of Operations Shawn Benge on behalf of Montgomery County.
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Portman, Hassan Applaud House Passage of their Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Legislation
Legislation Promotes Early Hearing Detection in Newborns, Infants & Young Children
U.S. Senators Rob Portman and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) applauded the House passage of their Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2022, legislation that will reauthorize current research and improve public health programs for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing loss in newborns, infants, and young children for five additional years. Senator Portman led the effort to get this program reauthorized for 5 years in 2017. The program is currently set to expire at the end of 2022. Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. Senator Portman’s bill was amended by the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in June and passed the Senate by unanimous consent last Thursday. Today, it passed the House by a vote of 408-17. The bill will now be sent to the president’s desk for signature.
“I am pleased this important bill has now passed the Senate and the House. Early hearing detection is critical because children with hearing loss often fall behind their peers in speech development, cognitive skills, and social skills,” said Portman. “This bill takes important steps to continue critical programs for early hearing detection and intervention for newborns, infants, and young children. I look forward to it being signed into law soon.”
“Every child deserves to have the same opportunities to thrive, but if a child’s hearing problems go undetected early in life, they can face long-term challenges,” said Senator Hassan. “I am glad that this bill to strengthen early detection of hearing loss in newborns and young children is heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law. I will continue working so that every child, regardless of their abilities, can receive the support that they need.”
NOTE: The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act reauthorizes current research and public health activities related to early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing loss in newborns and infants. Specifically, this legislation:
- Authorizes development of programs for hearing screening of newborns, infants, and young children;
- Authorizes prompt evaluation and diagnosis of children referred from screening programs;
- Provides for educational, audiological, and medical interventions for children confirmed to be deaf or hard-of-hearing;
- Allows education and medical models to ensure that newborns, infants, and young children who are identified through hearing screening receive follow up by qualified early intervention providers, qualified health care providers, or pediatric medical homes; and
- Continues research and development for early hearing detection and intervention, including development of technologies and clinical studies of screening methods.
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Portman, Shaheen Applaud Inclusion of FENTANYL Results Act in FY 2023 Defense Bill
Portman has led efforts in the Senate in the Fight Against Fentanyl.
Today, U.S. Senators Rob Portman and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), senior members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statements after the successful inclusion of their bipartisan legislation in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to increase global cooperation in the fight against synthetic drug trafficking. The NDAA is annual legislation that authorizes defense programming for the fiscal year.
The Fighting Emerging Narcotics through Additional Nations to Yield Lasting (FENTANYL) Results Act authorizes two programs through the State Department that would build foreign law enforcement capacity to detect synthetic drugs and carry out an international exchange program for drug demand reduction experts.
“With drug overdoses at an all-time high, Congress must do everything it can to stop synthetic opioids like fentanyl from destroying lives in America and around the world. I’m pleased this bipartisan legislation, designed to help to reduce the devastating effects of these deadly substances, is included in the final FY 2023 NDAA conference report,” said Senator Portman. “This legislation will strengthen State Department data collection on synthetic drug production while increasing international law enforcement capacity. This important effort will help us save lives and mitigate the devastating effects of deadly synthetic opioids, which have impacted families and communities all across Ohio and our country.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated what was already a crisis in New Hampshire and across America – the substance use epidemic. The circulation of fentanyl has fueled this crisis, which is why I’m leading bipartisan efforts with Senators Portman and Cornyn to clamp down on drug trafficking and prevent drugs from reaching our borders. Inclusion of the FENTANYL Results Act in the annual defense package makes clear that combating drug trafficking is a top national security priority,” said Shaheen. “Once this legislation becomes law, we can ensure more effective cooperation with international partners to prevent synthetic drugs from infecting our communities and save lives.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data revealing that a record-breaking 107,000 Americans died from a drug overdose in 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl and other synthetic opioids were behind a majority of the deaths.
To read the full bill text of the FENTANYL Results Act, click here.
No one in the Senate has been more active in the fight against drug addiction than Senator Portman. As part of his efforts to help Ohio, Portman has worked to help stop the influx of synthetic drugs like fentanyl into this country – such as through passage of his bipartisan Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act, to help stop dangerous synthetic drugs like fentanyl and carfentanil from being shipped from China to drug traffickers here in the United States through our own Postal System. He has also called out the Biden administration multiple times for its failure to control our southern border, which has led to record levels of fentanyl flowing across the border. He has worked to expand access to treatment programs for Americans suffering from addiction, which have been proven to be critical to an effective recovery, and secured additional funding for evidenced-based Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act (CARA) programs focused on prevention, treatment, recovery, and first responders.
Portman Announces Senate FY 2023 NDAA Includes Funding for Abrams Tanks, Stryker Vehicles, and Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense
$1.2 Billion for Abrams Tanks, $891.2 Million for Stryker Vehicles, $410.8 Million for M-SHORAD Included in Final Text of the National Defense Authorization Act Important for Lima and the JSMC
U.S. Senator Rob Portman today announced that the Senate’s FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes $1.2 billion in funding to upgrade Abrams tanks, which will continue the production of the M1A2 SEPv3 upgraded Abrams tanks at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Lima, Ohio in order to ensure that our forward-deployed soldiers have tanks with the most cutting-edge capabilities. The bill also includes $891.2 million for upgrading Stryker Vehicles. Also included is $410.8 million to produce Stryker chassis to support the Army’s Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) program. Portman has been a strong advocate for the Abrams and Stryker programs, ensuring that our men and women of the military have the best and most lethal weapons systems in the world while keeping good, high-paying jobs in Lima.
Senator Portman issued the following statement regarding the announcement:
“This funding is so important for Lima and the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC), which supports our troops both at home and around the globe, and its irreplaceable workforce. Our military should never have to fight a fair fight [this is my favorite quote I hear from generals and admirals], and this funding will ensure that our troops will always overmatch our potential adversaries. The newest version of the Abrams tank, the M1A2 SEPv3, is a vital investment for our soldiers to meet the realities highlighted in the latest National Defense Strategy, and they come off the line at JSMC in Lima. This funding will ensure that more tanks are produced at Lima and get to our forward deployed soldiers.
“I am also pleased the NDAA includes funding for producing Stryker A1 vehicles. This authorization will help provide long-term stability to the industrial base and ensure our soldiers are rapidly provided with the most capable and survivable vehicle coming off the line.
“This year’s NDAA also includes funding for the M-SHORAD program, which is good news for the Army and the world-class workforce in Lima. The Army has developed the M-SHORAD program to deal with the new, short-range air defense threats on the modern battlefield, based off the highly capable Stryker platform that is produced in Lima. This funding is critical in ensuring our armed forces have the best weapons systems at their disposal.”
NOTE: Portman has been a staunch supporter of the JSMC and visited the JSMC earlier this year, where he met the new Installation Commander, received a briefing on how funding he helped secure is leading to increased employment, and saw the latest work on the Abrams Tank and Stryker vehicle line. While the Obama administration proposed shuttering the plant in 2011, Portman has made a commitment to safeguarding the long-term viability of the JSMC, ensuring this vital facility can continue its critical work on the military’s Abrams tank and Stryker vehicle. Under Portman’s leadership from 2013-2015, Congress increased funding in the appropriations process and supplemented appropriations with foreign military sales to allow the plant to continue operating at minimal production levels. Production increased in 2016 and continues to be strong and on the rise.
Portman Praises Inclusion of Funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative in FY 2023 NDAA
U.S. Senator Rob Portman announced that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes $800 million in funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which he wrote into law in 2015. This is an increase from the $300 million included in last year’s NDAA and the President’s budget request, and it is intended to supplement anticipated USAI funding provided to Ukraine in a future spending package. These funds will be used to help train, equip, and provide support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in their effort to fight back against Russia’s brutal, illegal and unprovoked war on Ukraine. Portman recently returned from his bipartisan trip to Ukraine – his 10th since 2014 – where he saw the damage Russian bombardments had done to Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. He has also spoken on the Senate floor for 26 consecutive weeks that the Senate has been in session about how U.S. military aid has enabled Ukraine’s victories on the battlefield.
“At a time when it has never been more critical to support our ally Ukraine, this military aid underscores our commitment to helping Ukraine defeat Russia’s invasion and secure its independence. The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative has helped to strengthen Ukraine’s military for many years, and since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February, it has continued to provide critical support for Ukraine in defending its sovereign territory – on the land, at sea, and in the air,” said Senator Portman. “I’m proud to have led the effort in Congress to secure this crucial funding and will continue to do everything I can to ensure that the United States stands with Ukraine in their fight to secure a democratic, prosperous, and independent future.”
As Co-Chair and Co-Founder of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, Senator Portman has led efforts in Congress to provide Ukraine with lethal aid, economic assistance, and humanitarian aid during Russia’s ongoing invasion. This $800 million included in the FY 2023 NDAA comes in addition to the approximately $19 billion the United States has given to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion on February 24. Senator Portman has successfully championed language in the annual NDAA for the past six years that expanded U.S. military aid to Ukraine via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, while strongly encouraging the Ukrainian government to continue its efforts in eliminating corruption and pursuing much needed security sector reforms.
Portman, Coons Praise Inclusion of Tropical Forest Conservation Act Reauthorization in FY 2023 NDAA
U.S. Senator Rob Portman and Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), applauded the inclusion of their legislation to reauthorize the Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The FY2023 NDAA will reauthorize the program through FY2027 at $20 million per year. The TFCA program has saved over 67 million acres of tropical forest by allowing developing countries that meet certain political and economic criteria to be relieved of debt owed to the United States in exchange for their conservation efforts.
“I am pleased that my legislation to reauthorize the Tropical Forest Conservation Act was included in the FY23 NDAA,” said Portman, co-chair of the International Conservation Caucus. “The TFCA program is a successful, targeted program that has preserved more than 67 million acres of tropical forest since it was created in 1998. The TFCA program strengthens ties with countries that could become significant economic and national security partners with the United States, and it also takes significant strides to protect our natural resources for the next generation to enjoy.”
“I’m proud that the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act (TFCA) will be included in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, continuing to strengthen our relationships with other countries while protecting critical ecosystems around the world,” said Sen. Coons, co-chair of the International Conservation Caucus. “I applaud Senator Portman for his decades of leadership on conservation, including creating and sustaining our country’s debt-for-nature swap program. The tropical forests and coral reef ecosystems that have been saved because of TFCA will be a part of his legacy here.”
NOTE: Portman authored the TFCA program as a member of the House of Representatives in 1998 (P.L. 105-214). Since its inception, this program has helped protect more than 67 million acres of tropical forests, which has preserved native wildlife and ecosystems and protected the environment by sequestering more than 55 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. In January 2019, President Trump signed into law legislation introduced by Senators Portman, Udall, Burr, Schatz, and Whitehouse to reauthorize the TFCA program for FY 2019 and FY 2020 and, for the first time, expand the program to include protection of coral reef ecosystems.
Senator Portman led the introduction of new legislation in February 2021 with Senators Coons, Burr, Schatz, and Whitehouse to reauthorize the program for another five years at $20 million per year. Earlier this year, Portman applauded the finalization of a TFCA agreement between the U.S. Government and the Republic of El Salvador. This bilateral agreement is redirecting approximately $20 million in concessional debt owed by El Salvador to a conservation fund over a period of 10 years. This agreement with El Salvador was the first TFCA agreement since 2014, for a total of 21 agreements with 14 countries implemented since the program was created, and the second agreement with El Salvador through the TFCA program.
Portman, Brown, Coons Praise the Inclusion of Otto Warmbier Countering North Korea Censorship and Surveillance Act in the FY 2023 NDAA
Legislation Authored by Portman, Brown, and Coons Designed to Hold North Korea Accountable for Human Rights Abuses
Today, U.S. Senators Rob Portman, Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Chris Coons (D-DE) announced that their bipartisan legislation named in honor of Otto Warmbier, the Otto Warmbier Countering North Korea Censorship and Surveillance Act, has been included in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation, a modified version of the legislation that passed the Senate in June of this year, authorizes $10 million annually for the next five years to counter North Korea’s repressive censorship and surveillance state.
The bill is named after Otto Warmbier, a Cincinnati, Ohio native who was wrongfully imprisoned by the brutal North Korean regime and died as a result of the injuries he sustained while in custody. This past June 19th marked the five-year anniversary of Otto’s passing. Senator Portman honored Otto’s memory with a speech on the Senate Floor in June.
“I am pleased that the Otto Warmbier North Korea Censorship and Surveillance Act has been successfully included in the FY 2023 NDAA,” said Portman. “Otto Warmbier was the best of America, the Midwest, and Cincinnati. This legislation will help ensure that his memory lives on and that the brutal regime responsible for his unjust death is held accountable for this and it’s myriad of other human rights abuses. With the five year anniversary of Otto’s unjust death earlier this year, I look forward to this legislation becoming law very soon.”
“The inhumane treatment of Otto Warmbier by North Korean authorities that ended in his death was a tragic reminder of Kim Jong Un’s brutal regime,” said Brown. “Including the Otto Warmbier Countering North Korea Censorship and Surveillance Act in the FY2023 NDAA is an important step to reaffirm our commitment to combat North Korea’s human rights violations against its own people and against those who have been held captive and to counter North Korean surveillance, censorship, and repression.”
“The treatment and death of Otto Warmbier is a harrowing reminder of North Korea’s brutal, repressive regime and its disregard for human rights,” said Senator Coons, co-chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus. “I am glad to see this legislation advance in the NDAA to honor Otto’s memory and reaffirm our pursuit of accountability and justice for all of those who have suffered under Kim Jung Un’s violent reign.”
Thursday, December 8, 2022
On Senate Floor, Portman Discusses Russia’s Continued Assault on Ukraine’s Infrastructure,
Urges More Aid to Ukraine
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) spoke on the Senate floor for the 27th consecutive week while the Senate has been in session as Russia continues its illegal and brutal war on Ukraine. Portman discussed the situation on the battlefield and Russian assaults on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing blackouts throughout the nation and forcing Ukrainians to endure brutal winter months. Portman also urged the administration to provide more aid to Ukraine, including fourth-generation fighter jets, Abrams main battle tanks, and long-range missiles.
Senator Portman also reflected on Ukraine’s wins on the battlefield, and how those victories have been made possible with the generous support of the American people and our allies. He spoke about the significant safeguards and transparency mechanisms that are in place for all U.S. assistance to Ukraine, and that there has been no documented instance of diversion of military aid. He also applauded the European Union’s ban on seaborne Russian oil sales but expressed skepticism that the European, G-7, and Australian “price cap” will make a significant impact on Russian oil revenues.
A co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Ukraine Caucus and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Portman has met with various Ukrainian officials and has long been a vocal supporter of Ukraine’s fight for freedom over tyranny. Portman has now gone to Ukraine three times since Russia invaded Ukraine, and 10 times since the Euromaidan, or “Revolution of Dignity. He will continue to ensure the United States supports Ukraine from the Kremlin’s brutal and costly invasion.
A video can be found here.
Portman Recognized for Years of Public Service at Final Senate Foreign Relations Committee Markup, Secures Passage of Key Legislative Priorities
During the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s final business meeting of the year, U.S. Senator Rob Portman was honored with a commemorative resolution in recognition of his many years of public service. After more than three decades of public service, including in both chambers of Congress, Portman will retire at the end of this year.
During the meeting, a number of Portman’s key legislative priorities were also passed favorably out of Committee:
Holodomor Resolution (S.Res.650)
Portman commended the Committee for passing his and Senator Tim Kaine’s resolution commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor, which was the Soviet Union’s manmade famine against the Ukrainian people from 1932 to 1933 which killed millions of innocent people.
“The Holodomor was a horrific crime committed by Joseph Stalin against the innocent people of Ukraine, and we must never forget this atrocity,” said Senator Portman. “And just as we look back and reflect on the 90th anniversary of this famine-genocide, Ukraine is again in crisis. Russia’s illegal and brutal assault has caused devastation to Ukraine’s agricultural sector, which many countries around the world rely on. I am pleased the Committee has passed this resolution commemorating the Holodomor, while once again condemning Russia’s unjustifiable actions.”
The resolution serves as a reminder of repressive Soviet policies against the people of Ukraine, and that Vladimir Putin’s illegal war against Ukraine has diminished Ukraine’s agricultural output, continuing to cause widespread destruction and strangling Ukraine’s ability to export much-needed wheat.
Ukraine Genocide Resolution (S.Res.713)
Senator Portman applauded the Committee’s passage of a resolution, of which he is an original cosponsor, recognizing Russian actions in Ukraine as genocide, which include forced deportations to Russia and the purposeful killing of Ukrainian civilians in mass atrocities, as constituting a genocide against the people of Ukraine.
“Since the beginning of Russia’s brutal assault on Ukraine, Russian forces have demonstrated a clear pattern of targeting and killing Ukrainian civilians en masse, while also deliberately shelling schools, maternity wards, hospitals, homes, apartment buildings, and other civilian infrastructure. They are also committing heinous acts of sexual violence and forcibly deporting hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia,” said Portman. “Combined with Russia’s consistent denial of the existence of Ukrainian nationhood and identity, these acts must be acknowledged for what they are – genocide – and it is important that the United States and the rest of the world recognize them as such.”
This resolution:
- Condemns Russia for committing acts of genocide against the people of Ukraine;
- Calls on the United States, along with NATO and EU allies, to support the government of Ukraine to prevent further acts of Russian genocide against the Ukrainian people; and
- Supports tribunals and international criminal investigations to hold Russian political leaders and military personnel accountable for a war of aggression, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
- Urges the president to use Global Magnitsky sanctions on those responsible or complicit in the Russian Federation’s genocide in Ukraine.
Black Sea Security Act of 2022 (S.4509)
Portman applauded the Committee passage of bipartisan legislation that he has cosponsored to direct the Biden administration to develop a strategy for the Black Sea region
“Especially in light on Russia’s ongoing brutal and unprovoked war against Ukraine, it is more critical than ever that the Biden administration develop a comprehensive strategy for the Black Sea region,” said Portman. “The United States must do what it can to increase cooperation and security with our many allies and partners in the region and Russia must know that any increased aggression in the region would be a grave mistake.”
The legislation:
- Calls for a more robust foreign policy toward the Black Sea region, including increased advocacy between U.S., NATO and EU and bolstering economic ties between the U.S. and the Black Sea region;
- Requires an interagency report from the administration to outline existing efforts to support democracy, security and economic prosperity in the Black Sea region, and ask for an outline of policy options for increased engagement;
- 360 days following passage of legislation, requires an interagency strategy to increase military assistance and coordination with NATO and the EU, deepen economic ties, strengthen democracy and economic security and enhance security assistance with Black Sea countries.
Friday, December 9, 2022
On Senate Floor, Portman Delivers Farewell Address, Highlights Successes & Urges Bipartisanship
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Rob Portman delivered his formal farewell speech on the Senate floor and reflected on his time in Washington, D.C. serving in the House of Representatives, Senate, and two Cabinet-level positions. Portman talked about his mission throughout his career of delivering bipartisan results through effective servant leadership and what he and his colleagues on both sides of the aisle have been able to accomplish. Portman discussed notable bipartisan legislation he’s worked on recently including the infrastructure bill, semiconductor manufacturing with the Chips + Science Act, and the Respect for Marriage Act just to name a few.
A member of various committees and bipartisan “gangs,” Senator Portman has been able to break through the gridlock in a deadlocked Congress to get results. An independent voice for the people of Ohio, Portman had 82 bills signed into law by President Trump, 68 under President Obama, and more than 40 thus far under President Biden.
Senator Portman thanked his colleagues, staff, friends and family, and Ohio for giving him the honor of serving the Buckeye State. Most importantly, he thanked his family and especially his wife Jane of 36 years. Portman stated he intends to stay involved in public service, and will always push for bipartisanship to move the ball forward for the American people.
A video can be found here.
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