Rob's Rundown - Week of April 27 - May 1, 2015

Press Release

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), along with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), joined President Obama in the Oval Office for the signing ceremony of their bipartisan legislation, The Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015. This is the first energy bill to be signed into law this Congress. Text of the legislation can be foundhere.

"I'm pleased the President has signed my bill into law because it is good for the economy and good for the environment," said Portman. "This is an important part of our energy plan for America that can help bring jobs back, help make our manufacturers more competitive, and actually help to protect the environment. I'll continue to work for passage of my larger bill and a national energy strategy that boosts American workers while protecting the environment at the same time."

Portman is continuing to work for passage of his Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, which he discussed at a hearing in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources yesterday. Video can be found here.

Also yesterday, Portman and Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), wrote Attorney General Loretta Lynch concerning monitoring of multibillion-dollar settlements entered into between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bank of America, Citigroup, and JPMorgan Chase arising out of the sale of mortgage backed securities before the financial crisis of 2008. With approximately $13 billion in settlement funds slated to go to third parties, Portman and McCaskill urged the adoption of effective oversight to ensure the settlements are used to help those hurt by the housing market downturn, and not misdirected to inappropriate purposes. The letter asks for details regarding the banks' compliance with the consumer relief provisions of the settlements and safeguards to ensure the settlement funds are well-spent.

"Ohio was hard hit by the housing crisis, and many homeowners and communities continue to struggle with its effects--including the blight caused by abandoned properties," Portman said. "The Department of Justice has a duty to ensure that funds secured through these settlements are used to address genuine, high-priority needs, such as land-banking and foreclosure relief in Ohio, rather than being diverted for inappropriate uses."

In addition to billions of dollars in direct fines and payments to governmental entities, the financial crisis settlements call for the banks to provide several billion dollars in direct and indirect consumer relief. Third party organizations are eligible to receive a significant share of these settlement dollars.

Portman and McCaskill note that with such large sums at stake, there is a need for effective oversight to ensure those funds are used to help homeowners and neighborhoods hurt by the housing crisis, but the oversight framework appears to be deficient. The Department of Justice has told Congress that specially-appointed monitors -- generally, private law firms -- are responsible for ensuring that settlement funds are allocated and spent appropriately. But the monitors' own public reports regarding the Citigroup, Bank of America, and JPMorgan settlements suggest that the monitors' role is more limited. According to those reports, the monitors are responsible for reviewing whether the banks have paid out funds or forgiven debt in accordance with the terms of their settlement agreements. They make no mention, however, of any responsibility for overseeing how third parties actually deploy resources received through the settlements.

On Monday, Portman, co-chair of the Senate Caucus to End Human Trafficking,commended The University of Toledo on the opening of the Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute, which will serve as an on-campus home for research on human trafficking.

"Human trafficking is a heinous crime, and UT is leading the way to find better ways to protect the vulnerable among us," Portman stated. "It's critical that we're working together on all levels of government, as well as in our local communities, to address this issue. I was pleased last week when my measures allowing us to improve the way we find missing children, strengthen the prosecution against buyers of sex acts from trafficking victims, rightly define victims of child sex trafficking as victims of child abuse and ensure that children who are sex trafficked or sexually exploited are treated as victims, not criminals, passed the Senate, but there is more work to be done. I commend UT on their important work and look forward to continuing my efforts with the Toledo community to end this form of modern-day slavery."

Last week, Portman announced that the Senate passed two of his bills to combat human trafficking, the Bringing Missing Children Home Act and the Ensuring a Better Response for Victims of Child Sex Trafficking. The Senate also passed key provisions of his Combat Human Trafficking Act. These passed the Senate as part of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, a bipartisan and comprehensive trafficking bill.

On Tuesday, Portman, co-chair of the Senate Ukraine caucus, met with Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine. Portman and Klitschko discussed the continued Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine and ways to help Ukraine cope with some of the social consequences of the conflict such as difficulties in caring for veterans recently discharged from service. Portman reiterated his continued support for the Ukrainian people.

"I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Mayor Klitschko and reiterate my support for the Ukrainian people as they continue to defend themselves against Russian aggression," said Portman. "During my recent visit to Ukraine, I had the chance to see firsthand the severity of the situation and gain insight into the long-term consequences of the conflict such as the large number of recently-discharged Ukrainian veterans transitioning to civilian life. Mayor Klitschko and I discussed the U.S. technical assistance for the Ukrainian government's initiative to provide effective care and rehabilitation services for veterans, an issue I'm familiar with due to my work with U.S. servicemembers. I look forward working with Mayor Klitschko on this and other issues important to the U.S.-Ukrainian relationship."

Recently, Portman traveled to Ukraine to meet with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and other government officials. Portman has repeatedly called for increased U.S. military assistance to Ukraine as they continue to face Russian aggression.

Also on Tuesday, Portman and Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Go To High School, Go To College Act, which will increase college access for low-income students by incentivizing them to earn college credits in high school through the Pell Grant program. By providing students the opportunity to simultaneously pursue a high school diploma while earning college credits tuition-free up to an associate's degree, this bill will maximize the efficiency of federal student aid and therefore improve secondary and postsecondary outcomes for students. U.S. Representatives Marcia Fudge (D-OH-11) and Chris Gibson (R-NY-19) introduced an identical version of this legislation in the House.

"Too many low-income students face obstacles when deciding whether to pursue a college education," Portman stated. "Our legislation will allow these students to get a head start on college courses in high school, therefore improving their chances of completing a college degree. It also provides more flexibility within the Pell Grant program, allowing more students to graduate from college. I'm pleased to introduce this legislation and look forward to continuing my work to increase access to and affordability of college."

More than 300 early college high schools across the country have improved college readiness and college completion rates of low-income students who have traditionally been underrepresented in postsecondary education. These schools provide students the opportunity to simultaneously pursue a high school diploma while earning college credits up to an associate's degree, tuition-free. A 2013 American Institutes for Research evaluation of early college high schools found significant increases in college enrollment and completion among early college students. Specifically, the study found that 81 percent of early college students enrolled in college, compared with 72 percent of comparison students. During the evaluation period, 25 percent of early college students earned an associate's degree, as compared with only 5 percent of comparison students.

Expanding access to early college high schools will increase college completion rates and ultimately reduce the time and cost of earning a college degree. Growth of early colleges has been stifled by rising tuition costs that are unaffordable for students and too great to be assumed by sponsoring high school and college partners. The federal government should allow greater flexibility within the need-based Pell grant program to increase opportunities for students to earn college credits and degrees.

On Wednesday, Portman announced that bipartisan legislation he cosponsored to strengthen 529 college savings plans has passed the Senate Finance Committee. This legislation modernizes an important savings tool for college education by allowing plan funds to be spent on computers and related expenses, by reducing the paperwork burden for such plans, and by allowing beneficiaries who receive a refund from an educational institution to contribute the refund back to the plan without penalty. Portman is a cosponsor of this legislation which was introduced by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

"I'm pleased to support this commonsense legislation that will make college more affordable and accessible for students," Portman stated. "Ohio has a strong College Advantage program, yet in talking to families across the state, it is clear that more can and should be done. By modernizing this section of the tax code, we can help expand educational opportunities while letting young people just starting out keep more of their own hard-earned money."

Over the past 40 years, college tuition rates have been consistently increasing at two to three times the rate of inflation each year. Ohio's 529 college savings program, College Advantage, is the fifth largest of any state, supporting over 640,000 beneficiaries. A recent College Savings Plan Network study found that 70% of 529 college savings accounts are held by households with income below $150,000. Concerned by the mounting financial strain placed on young professionals, states began to develop programs designed to help families and students save for their college education. This legislation would modify the tax treatment of college savings plans authorized under section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. The House of Representatives passed an identical measure on February 25, 2015, by a bipartisan, veto-proof majority of 401-20.

Also on Wednesday, Portman applauded a U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling protecting Ohio steel manufacturers and the jobs they support. The senators worked closely on two related OCTG cases on 2014 that resulted in important victories for Ohio workers. Yesterday's unanimous ITC ruling maintains the current duties on Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) imports from China.

"I'm pleased with this unanimous ruling reaffirming that American manufacturing workers deserve to compete on a level playing field," Portman stated. "Ohio pipe and tube workers are among the best in the world, but we must stand up to foreign competitors who break trade rules at the expense of Ohio workers."

Oil Country Tubular Goods are used for domestic oil exploration, especially shale. Steel produced for the U.S. energy market, such as OCTG, accounts for approximately 10 percent of domestic steel production and nearly 8,000 American jobs nationwide. U.S. producers, however, are increasingly losing sales to foreign competitors because imports of OCTG have doubled since 2008 and increased by 61 percent thus far in 2014 compared to 2013. By some accounts, OCTG imports represent 50 percent of the pipes used for gas and oil drilling in the United States.

Portman has led the fight on supporting OCTG workers from illegal imports and has visited several Ohio steel manufacturers including U.S. Steel Lorain, Vallourec Star in Youngstown, and TMK IPSCO in Brookfield, Ohio.

President Obama signs Sen. Rob Portman's energy-efficiency bill

Measures to improve the country's energy efficiency got a boost this afternoon with President Barack Obama signing a bill that could reduce energy use in commercial buildings and government offices.

U.S. Sens. Rob Portman, an Ohio Republican, and Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, sponsored the bill. It was a pared down version of a broader measure that Portman has pursued for four years. He said he still intends to push the other provisions.

None of the provisions in today's bill force the private sector to do a thing, Portman said. But the bill will establish a voluntary "Tenant Star" program, similar to the Energy Star label for appliances, for commercial buildings that reduce their energy consumption.

That could create an incentive for businesses looking to lease space, as building owners and tenants become more conservation-minded, Portman said.

"Based on the studies that have been done, we believe this is going to have a large impact on energy efficiency, because one of the great areas for savings is in the commercial buildings, many of which are not properly insulated" or lack other efficiencies, Portman said. "And so this will result in a lot of upgrades and improvements to commercial buildings, which will then get the Tenant Star designation, which will then be more attractive to tenants."

Another provision will require the government to collect and disclose energy usage data for federally leased buildings.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with the Department of Energy, will start developing standards for the Tenant Star designation within 180 days, according to Portman's office and the bill's language.

("President Obama signs Sen. Rob Portman's energy-efficiency bill," Stephen Koff.Cleveland Plain Dealer. April 30, 2015.)

Ohio lawmakers help fight against trafficking

It's good to see the overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress for greater aid to human-trafficking victims, with the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act passing the Senate by unanimous vote on Wednesday.

This is another way to address a scourge that has been receiving more attention both locally and nationally in recent years.

The bill, which strengthens penalties against traffickers and provides funds to aid victims, now goes back to the House after being reworked by the Senate.

The legislation had strong backing from Ohio's congressional delegation, including U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman and Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown. The Senate measure incorporated two bills and an amendment advanced by Portman and included three amendments by Brown.

("Ohio lawmakers help fight against trafficking," Editorial. Columbus Dispatch. April 27, 2015.)

Promoting trade

Congress will vote as soon as this week whether to authorize President Obama to negotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership. That critical trade agreement would serve America's economic and political interests in Asia.

Lawmakers are proposing all sorts of amendments to the controversial deal, which opponents wrongly fear would harm American workers. But an amendment sponsored by Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio) aimed at curbing currency manipulation -- an anti-competitive practice by other countries that damages the U.S. economy -- deserves lawmakers' and the President's support.

Many nations have manipulated their exchange rates by deliberately buying up foreign currencies; that makes their own exports cheaper and enables them to sell more goods abroad. Historically, the U.S. dollar has been a particularly popular target of manipulators. Detroit automakers, who have been hit especially hard by Japanese currency intervention, voice strong support for curbing the practice.

Senator Portman's measure, like the proposed trade agreement's fair-labor, environmental, and copyright standards, would ensure that all parties to the deal play by the same rules, and that American firms can compete fairly abroad.

Mr. Portman, who served as U.S. trade representative in the George W. Bush administration, asserts that curbing currency manipulation would level the playing field for American firms. "All of the advances we would make in the [trade] agreement, opening up more markets for exports, would be devastated by currency manipulation that makes our exports more expensive," he told The Blade's editorial page last week.

The practice demonstrably harmed auto workers in Ohio and Michigan, and created much of the U.S. trade deficit with Japan. That deficit has narrowed in recent years, after Japan stopped devaluing its currency, but the trade deal should ensure it isn't allowed to do such things again.

Including the currency provision in the trade deal could help it gain support from Democratic lawmakers, Mr. Portman said. Many of the President's usual Democratic allies, including Sen. Sherrod Brown (D., Ohio), are reluctant to grant the White House fast-track authority -- which would allow Congress to approve or reject the trade agreement, but not to amend or filibuster it -- because union leaders oppose that mechanism.

A Senate committee narrowly defeated Mr. Portman's amendment last week. But he said he plans to submit it again when the trade bill reaches the Senate floor.

Free, fair trade arrangements arise not by accident, but as a result of deliberate regulation that limits anti-competitive practices while keeping markets open and reducing barriers to trade.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership and the proposed limits on currency manipulation would serve those goals. Both deserve bipartisan support.

Portman to meet Netanyahu in Israel to talk Iran nuclear deal

Sen. Rob Portman plans to meet this weekend with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials as he travels to Israel for the first time since the summer of 2012.

Portman, R-Ohio, said today the meetings will deal with the proposed deal between the Obama administration and Iran, which is designed to delay Tehran's plans to build a nuclear weapon.

Netanyahu has sharply objected to the proposed deal, while Portman has voiced concerns. The pact could be completed by the middle of the summer.

In particular, Portman said today that "it's very difficult to have the negotiations" with Iran limited to just "nuclear weapons. One of our grave concerns about Iran getting the nuclear weapon capability is the fact they are the No. 1 state sponsor of terrorism in the world."

Portman, who met with Netanyahu during his 2012 trip, will leave this afternoon and return to the United States Monday.

("Portman to meet Netanyahu in Israel to talk Iran nuclear deal," Jack Torry.Columbus Dispatch. April 30, 2015.)

Portman, Warner push Pell for early college credits

As Congress considers rewriting No Child Left Behind and the Higher Education Act, Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) are aiming at the intersection of the two: Today they'll unveil a new bill that would encourage high schools to offer college coursework to students by allowing them to fund it with Pell grants.

The bill, the Go to High School, Go to College Act, would allow Pell grant funds to flow to low-income high school students taking courses that earn them transferable college credits. The high schools would be reimbursed with Pell funds for the student's tuition and fees after the student completes the credit. Reps. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) and Chris Gibson (R-N.Y.) will introduce a companion measure in the House.

"This, in our view is, one way not just to get kids college-bound but to keep them in high school," Portman said. "For very little money, it's a lot of bang for the buck."

Portman and Warner hope the approach will encourage more so-called "early college" high schools by reducing the tuition and fees high schools often pick up when they offer such coursework. And students who attend some early college high schools have been shown to have better high school completion and college attendance rates. And they'd face fewer semesters in college if and when they do attend, giving them a leg-up on paying for a two- or four-year degree.

Source