Source: United States Senator for Ohio Rob Portman
December 16, 2022 | Rob’s Rundown
Senator Portman was back in Washington this week where he spoke on the Senate floor for the 28th consecutive session week regarding the situation in Ukraine. Portman discussed why it is so important that the United States continue economic, military, and humanitarian aid to our ally, Ukraine. Portman also talked about his trips to the region, including to the town of Bakhmut in 2018, which has now turned into a grinding battlefield of attrition. He commended the administration for the Patriot missile defense systems the United States is reportedly going to send Ukraine, and he urged the administration to provide fourth-generation fighter jets, Abrams main battle tanks, and long-range missiles to enable Ukraine to liberate more of its territory.
On Tuesday, Portman, a cosponsor of The Respect for Marriage Act and key supporter of the legislation, released a statement after attending the signing ceremony for the bipartisan bill at the White House.
On Thursday, Portman praised the passage of the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and announced that 12 of his initiatives have been included in the final legislation.
Portman also announced that 16 of his key priorities as Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee were included in the FY 2023 NDAA. He also voted for an amendment that would make several important improvements to the federal permitting processes for energy projects and expand the role of the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, which he created with his colleague, former Senator Claire McCaskill, in 2015.
In addition, Portman announced that the House has passed his bipartisan Countering Human Trafficking Act to enhance our nation’s ability to combat human trafficking. The bill would make permanent and strengthen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT). The legislation passed the Senate in April and now moves to the president to be signed into law.
For a more detailed look at Senator Portman’s week, please see the following:
Monday, December 12, 2022
Portman, Markey Applaud Passage of Legislation Awarding Congressional Gold Medal to Heroes Doherty, Woods, Stevens, and Smith Killed in 2012 Benghazi Consulate Attack
U.S. Senators Rob Portman and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) applauded the passage of their bipartisan and bicameral legislation awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith in recognition of their service to defend the United States of America. Doherty, Woods, Stevens, and Smith were killed in the September 2012 attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Representative Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) introduced companion legislation in the House that successfully passed in July.
“The 2012 Benghazi Consulate Attack was a tragic moment in our nation’s history, claiming the lives of many brave Americans. I am pleased the Senate has passed legislation to honor the life and sacrifice of Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith. These four individuals paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country and it is only fitting that they be recognized with the highest honor given by Congress,” said Senator Portman. “We owe these men a great debt of gratitude, so I am pleased this important legislation is now heading to the President’s desk for signature.”
“Our nation will always remember the names Doherty, Woods, Smith, and Stevens – the brave American heroes who laid down their lives to protect their country,” said Senator Markey. “These patriots deserve the highest recognition that Congress can bestow to honor their legacy and heroism for generations to come. I am proud to have led the effort to award these four Americans the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of their brave and enduring sacrifice.”
The legislation honors Doherty, Woods, Stevens, and Smith for risking their lives to defend U.S. diplomats and the Consulate against an armed attack in Benghazi. Doherty, a former combat-decorated Navy SEAL, was a native of Winchester Massachusetts. Woods, a native of Portland, Oregon, was also a former combat-decorated Navy SEAL. Stevens was a member of the Career Foreign Service who served as U.S. Ambassador to Libya during the attack. Smith, a native of San Diego, served in the Air Force and was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Portman Praises The Respect for Marriage Act Becoming Law
Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman, a cosponsor of The Respect for Marriage Act and key supporter of the legislation, commented on the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act being signed into law after attending the signing ceremony at the White House:
“This is a momentous day for our country and so many families I represent. I am proud of my colleagues who reached across the aisle and worked hard to ensure this legislation passed in the House and Senate. The majority of the American people want this issue settled, and now that this bill is law, millions of married couples will get the certainty and peace of mind they deserve by having their marriage protected.
“The Supreme Court acknowledged same-sex marriage as a constitutional right in 2015, yet current law allows states and the federal government to refuse to recognize valid same-sex marriages. The Respect for Marriage Act simply guarantees that valid same-sex marriages from one state will be recognized by the federal government and other states. It ensures that valid marriages between two individuals are given full faith and credit, regardless of the couple’s sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.
“Throughout this process, I listened to the concerns raised by religious organizations and worked with my colleagues to include substantial new religious liberty protections in the bill while still preserving the rights of same-sex married couples.
“My colleagues and I developed an amendment with religious organizations that ensures religious convictions are protected. A group of constitutional scholars and advocates for religious liberty analyzed the bill and tour amendment and concluded that it does not pose new litigation risks to faith-based groups, but instead contains important new protections that will now be enshrined into the law.
“The legislation demonstrates that the rights of same-sex couples can coexist with religious freedom protections and that the rights of both groups can be advanced when people come together and work in good faith.
“I commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who came together to get this bill across the finish line.”
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Portman Announces $8 Million for Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
Funding Made Available through Portman’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman applauded the announcement by the U.S. Department of Transportation that it awarded the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority an $8 million grant through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) FY 2022 All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP). ASAP is a competitive grant program created by Portman’s bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that aims to improve America’s oldest transit systems nationwide so they are accessible for all passengers.
“This is great news for the Greater Cleveland area,” said Portman. “The All Stations Accessibility Program will help cities all over Ohio and the country update aging and outdated transit systems so that all Americans can access them more easily. This is just one more resource that will strengthen our nation’s infrastructure that is made possible by my bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.”
NOTE: In August 2022, Senator Portman sent a letter of support to Federal Transit Administration’s Administrator Nuria L. Fernandez on behalf of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority.
On Senate Floor, Portman Urges Continued Support for Ukraine & Discusses Russian War Crimes,
Commends Administration for Further Military Aid
This evening, U.S. Senator Rob Portman spoke on the Senate floor for the 28th consecutive week while the Senate has been in session as Russia continues its brutal, illegal, and unprovoked war on Ukraine, and discussed why it is so important that the United States continue economic, military, and humanitarian aid to our ally. Portman noted the attacks on civilians, noncombatants, and energy infrastructure, causing blackouts and forcing Ukrainians to endure an especially harsh winter. Portman also talked about his trips to the region, including to the town of Bakhmut in 2018, which has now turned into a grinding battlefield of attrition. He commended the administration for the Patriot missile defense systems the United States is reportedly going to send Ukraine, and he urged the administration to provide fourth-generation fighter jets, Abrams main battle tanks, and long-range missiles to enable Ukraine to liberate more of its territory.
Senator Portman is a co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Ukraine Caucus and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He has long been a vocal supporter of Ukraine’s fight for freedom and western values over tyranny and Russian aggression. Portman has now gone to Kyiv twice since Russia invaded Ukraine, and 10 times since the Euromaidan, or “Revolution of Dignity,” in 2014. He urged his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and those newly elected, to continue to support Ukraine from Russia’s brutal onslaught against an innocent democratic nation that just wants to live in peace with their neighbors.
A video can be found here.
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Portman, Whitehouse Lauds Proposed Rule to Continue Telehealth Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Calls for Passage of TREATS Act to Ensure Opioid Treatment Guidelines Become Law
Today, U.S. Senators Rob Portman and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) issued the following statements today in response to the announcement by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that it released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to continue Public Health Emergency related telehealth provisions, update opioid treatment program guidelines, and reduce barriers for providers and patients, which is consistent with the bipartisan TREATS Act that Portman has introduced with Senator Whitehouse:
“I am pleased to see that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released their proposed rule which would continue to allow treatment for opioid use disorder via telehealth. This continuation is nearly identical to our bipartisan TREATS Act. I look forward to seeing The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) action to ensure that controlled substances like buprenorphine can continue to be prescribed via telehealth,” said Portman. “Throughout the pandemic, this telehealth flexibility has saved lives. I continue to urge Congress to pass the TREATS Act to ensure that this is not just a federal rule that can be rescinded but permanent federal law and thank Senator Sheldon Whitehouse who has been an outspoken advocate with me on this issue for many years.
“I am also pleased to see that this proposed rule seeks to increase access by reducing barriers for both treatment providers and patients needing treatment for opioid addiction.”
“The opioid epidemic has taken a heartbreaking toll on Rhode Island families from every walk of life. While pandemic isolation brought new challenges for people on the noble path of recovery, the expansion of telehealth treatment for substance use disorder was one bright spot. This proposed rule would allow that flexibility to continue in line with our bipartisan TREATS Act. We still need the DEA to act to ensure medication-assisted treatment continues to be available via telehealth,” said Senator Whitehouse. “Senator Portman has been my trusted partner across the aisle on this issue for many years, and I will work to carry on his legacy in the new Congress.”
The rule can be read here.
Portman Statement on Permitting Reform Vote in National Defense Authorization Bill
U.S. Senator Rob Portman issued the following statement tonight regarding his vote in support of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin’s (D-WV) permitting reform bill as an amendment to the fiscal year (FY) 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):
“This amendment is far from perfect but would make several important improvements to our federal permitting processes for energy projects and expand the role of the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, which I created with my colleague, former Senator Claire McCaskill, in 2015.
“Ohio is an energy producing state – from coal to oil and natural gas to renewable energy – and having an efficient permitting process for the continued development of Ohio’s natural resources is important for our economy and national security. This amendment also requires federal agencies to issue all approvals and permits necessary for the construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, and estimates show that a quarter of the natural gas flowing through this pipeline would come from Ohio once completed.
“At a time of high inflation and record energy costs, we should be doing all we can to help secure our energy supplies and lower costs for hardworking families in Ohio and across the nation.”
Portman Applauds Senate Passage of FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act
FY 2023 NDAA Includes 12 Key Portman Initiatives
Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) applauded the Senate passage of the fiscal year (FY) 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The final bill, which passed the House of Representatives last week, authorizes a historic $858 billion for national defense. Within the broader legislation contain six Portman priorities and six pieces of Portman legislation.
“I am pleased that the Senate has passed the FY 2023 NDAA, historic funding critical to strengthening this country’s national defense and supporting our troops all around the world,” said Portman. “I fought to include a number of key priorities, including legislation to further support Ukraine in its fight for freedom, counter North Korea’s repressive regime, benefit the state of Ohio by improving the Lake Erie ecosystem and supporting the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima – just to name a few. I look forward to the president signing this important legislation into law.”
NOTE: Portman initiatives in the FY 2023 NDAA include:
- Otto Warmbier Countering North Korean Censorship and Surveillance Act – bipartisan legislation authorizing $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.
- Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative – the FY 2023 NDAA authorizes $800 million in funding. 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.
- Abrams Tanks, Stryker Vehicles, and Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense – the FY 2023 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. The bill also includes $891.2 million for upgrading Stryker Vehicles and $410.8 million to produce Stryker chassis to support the Army’s Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) program.
- Prohibition of using funds to recognize Russian sovereignty over Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, or Donetsk Oblasts – Amends the longstanding prohibition on the use of funds to recognize Russian sovereignty over Crimea to also include the territories that Russia illegally attempted to annex in September of this year.
- National Space Intelligence Center (NSIC) – Includes a reporting requirement that will describe the impact of NSIC not being properly designated as a field operating agency.
- Rickenbacker Small Arms Range – Authorizes $8 million for a new small arms range at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base.
- Christian Ward Act – Includes a bipartisan amendment authored with Senator Brown to, when the property of a deceased servicemember is lost, damaged, or destroyed, permits the Secretary of Defense to reimburse the family (or designated recipient) for the fair market value of the property, and also permit the Secretary to pursue a claim against the third party.
- Tropical Forest Conservation Act – bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the TFCA program through FY 2027 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.
- Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt (END) Wildlife Trafficking Reauthorization and Improvements Act – bipartisan legislation to combat international wildlife trafficking and strengthen interagency efforts to tackle the issue. This legislation would reauthorize the END Wildlife Trafficking Act, which was signed into law in 2016, as well as expand the duties of the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking and related reports on major wildlife trafficking countries.
- Lake Erie Water Quality Protection Act – bipartisan legislation directing the Army Corps to prioritize the development of dredge material management plans for Ohio’s eight harbors along Lake Erie that adhere to the State of Ohio’s water quality laws.
- Aquatic Invasive Species Control Act – bipartisan legislation to expand the Army Corps’ Aquatic Plant Control Program to include the Lake Erie Basin and the Ohio River Basin, and directs the Corps to prioritize hydrilla projects.
- Fighting Emerging Narcotics through Additional Nations to Yield Lasting (FENTANYL) Results Act – bipartisan legislation to 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.
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