[mpen-dayton] FW: Scaramucci Prompts Search Of ‘Scaramouch’ & "Trump COLLAPSES" & "Do you think healthcare is a human right?" and more

FYI. Best, Munsup

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• FW: Scaramucci Prompts Search Of 'Scaramouch'
• FW: Today's Headlines: Trump Tries to Regroup as the West Wing Battles Itself
• FW: FOCUS: The Anthony Scaramucci Era Will Be Freakish, Embarrassing and All Too Short
• FW: Trump COLLAPSES (read this!)
• FW: Congress must act before Trump fires Mueller
• FW: Vietnam Home-from-War War Stories: Myth, Media & the Ken Burns Vietnam Series
• FW: Do you think healthcare is a human right?
• FW: Bernie and You?
• FW: Thank Sen. Brown for fighting for our health care
• FW: Single Payer; The Fall of Empire; History of Full Employment & Civil Rights
• FW: "Politricks" This Week About Healthcare
• FW: Rob's Rundown: Week of July 24-28, 2017

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From: Eric Kramer
Subject: Scaramucci Prompts Search Of 'Scaramouch'

From WikePedia: Scaramuccia (literally "little skirmisher"), also known as Scaramouche or Scaramouch, is a stock clown character of the Italian commedia dell'arte (comic theatrical arts). The role combined characteristics of the zanni (servant) and the Capitano (masked henchman). Usually attired in black Spanish dress and burlesquing a don, he was often beaten by Harlequin for his boasting and cowardice.

And on HuffingtonPost: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/merriam-webster-scaramouch-anthony-scaramucci_us_5972bb08e4b09e5f6ccf78b4?52

Anthony Scaramucci Prompts Search Of 'Scaramouch' And People Can't Handle The Definition

Merriam-Webster said on Friday that lookups for scaramouch were up 8,185 percent.

By Carla Herreria

Anthony Scaramucci is the new White House communications director who spoke confidently during a press briefing on Friday, then blew a kiss to reporters.

Scaramucci is not "scaramouch," a word defined in Merriam-Wesbter as the name of a boastful and cowardly character from the Italian commedia dell'arte. He is often depicted as a clown.
. . . (Read more here!)

 

 

From:
Subject: NYT Today's Headline: Trump Tries to Regroup as the West Wing Battles Itself

Trump Tries to Regroup as the West Wing Battles Itself

By PETER BAKER

President Trump faces hurdles after a staff shake-up and rising defiance by his own party.

 

 

From: Eric Kramer
Subject: FOCUS: The Anthony Scaramucci Era Will Be Freakish, Embarrassing and All Too Short

A positively priceless assessment of the 'current administration's' new Director of Communications!  😂

http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/44936-focus-the-anthony-scaramucci-era-will-be-freakish-embarrassing-and-all-too-short

 

 

From: [1-click] Trump Approval Poll -- BOLD Democrats
Subject: Trump COLLAPSES (read this!)

CNN: Trump's approval is underwater in 11 states he won in November^[1]

OMG! Trump is COLLAPSING -- even his own voters are turning against him!!
This is unprecedented! We need to know what you think right away:

Do you approve of President Trump?

YES >>

NO >>

---

We've had enough of Trump's backwards agenda -- not to mention his deceit and LIES.

And it's not just Democrats. Trump's OWN voter base is turning against him!!
  

This is crazy!! Trump's approval rating has plummeted to an abysmal 35%.

We need to know right away if you agree with the majority of Americans:

Do you approve of Trump?
  

YES >>

NO >>

http://go.boldpac.com/Trump-Approval-Collapse

 

---

[1] CNN | Trump's approval is underwater in 11 states he won in November | 7.26.17

PAID FOR BY CHC BOLD PAC AND NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE'S COMMITTEE.

 

 

From: Murshed Zaheed;  Political Director, CREDO Action from Working Assets
Subject: Congress must act before Trump fires Mueller

Tell Congress: Trump investigation must be truly independent Petition to Congress: "Ensure the independence of criminal investigations and protect the rule of law. Protect special prosecutor Mueller from Trump's abuse of power and restore the independent counsel statute as enacted in the Ethics in Government Act of 1978." Add your name:   It increasingly seems like a question of when – not if – Donald Trump will fire Robert Mueller, the special prosecutor investigating his ties to Russia and likely obstruction of justice. Trump has openly mused about firing Mueller in public interviews, and his team is digging up dirt on the special prosecutor. It appears that as soon as Mueller digs too deep, Trump will try to stymie the investigation yet again.1 The White House is falling into chaos amidst deep disagreement on how to handle the Mueller investigation, with some reports claiming Trump fired Chief of Staff Reince Priebus with a tweet. But as we proved recently by blocking Trumpcare in the Senate for now, intense and unyielding public pressure can sway even Republicans to resist Trump. Congress must immediately pass a law that would protect an independent counsel like Mueller from Trump's abuse of power and prevent this dangerous and out-of-control occupant of the White House from triggering a constitutional crisis by firing Mueller. Tell Congress: Trump investigation must be truly independent. Protect special counsel Mueller from Trump's abuse of power. Click here to sign the petition. Not long ago, a post-Watergate law was in place that protected the rule of law from presidential overreach. The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 set up a system to ensure that special prosecutors would be totally independent officials that a group of judges would appoint and no president could fire. But in the 1990s, Republicans and Democrats teamed up to let the independent counsel statute expire.2 Mueller, by contrast, owes his current post to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who picked him after Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself. Unlike the independent counsels of the 1980s, Mueller is a special prosecutor serving at the whim of Trump's own Department of Justice.3 That means that Trump could order Rosenstein to fire Mueller, sparking a constitutional firestorm with the executive branch seeking to crush the rule of law to protect its grip on power. Congress can prevent this nightmare scenario – but we cannot afford to wait until after it happens. Instead, legislators must make it clear that they will force the White House to obey the law by protecting Mueller's investigation and keeping it independent of Trump overreach.. Tell Congress: Trump investigation must be truly independent. Protect special counsel Mueller from Trump's abuse of power. Click here to sign the petition. Democratic Sen. Cory Booker and Republican Lindsey Graham are working on a bipartisan bill that would prevent Mueller from being fired without a judicial review.4 But with an illegitimate autocrat occupying the White House, our system of laws needs the strongest possible defense – so Congress should restore the original post-Watergate rules, as well. We need to send a message that no White House is above the law. Congress must step up now to make sure we have a truly independent investigation of Trump. Tell Congress: Trump investigation must be truly independent. Protect special counsel Mueller from Trump's abuse of power. Click below to sign the petition: https://act.credoaction.com/sign/trump_mueller_independent?t=8&akid=24293%2E1004336%2EOE8_Ur Add your name: References: Image: Brooks Kraft/Getty Images David Graham, "When Will President Trump Fire Robert Mueller?" The Atlantic, July 21, 2017. Phil Helsel, "'Special Counsel' Less Independent Than Under Expired Watergate-Era Law," NBC News, May 17, 2017. Erwin Chemerinsky and Eric Freedman, "Naming Robert Mueller as special counsel isn't enough – because Trump can get rid of him," Los Angeles Times, May 17, 2017. Darren Samuelsohn, "Graham: Firing Mueller would be 'beginning of the end' of Trump's presidency," POLITICO, July 27, 2017.

 

 

From: Daytonians Against War Now (DAWN) On Behalf Of Logan Martinez
Subject: [DAWN] Vietnam Home-from-War War Stories: Myth, Media & the Ken Burns Vietnam Series

Home-from-War War Stories: Myth, Media & the Ken Burns Vietnam Series

Jerry Lembcke on July 26, 2017, Common Dreams

Stories of Vietnam veterans treated badly by war protesters proliferated in the years surrounding the Persian Gulf War of 1991. They were the inspiration for the "yellow ribbon campaign" intended to signal that Gulf War veterans would be treated differently. My book inquiring into the origins and veracity of the stories about disparaged Vietnam veterans came out in 1998. Little did I imagine at the time that, 20 years later, versions of the same stories would be figuring in remembrances appearing upon the 50th anniversaries of some important dates of the war in Vietnam.

The stories have reappeared, prominently, in the June 20 New York Times and the July 16 Washington Post.  The Times piece was written by veteran Bill Reynolds who recounted his experience as an infantryman in a bloody Mekong Delta battle in 1967. Reynolds ended the account with the claim that he, "came home through San Francisco's airport to throngs of hippies harassing me." The Post story reported on a preview screening Ken Burns' forthcoming documentary on the war in Vietnam. Following the screening, veteran David Hagerman told Associated Press reporter Holly Ramer that his reception at the Seattle airport was so negative that he "walked into the nearest men's room, took off my uniform, and threw it in the trash."

Reynolds's story strains belief. Civilian airlines brought troops back from Vietnam but they landed at military airbases like Travis. And there are no news reports or photographs from the war years that document his memory that "throngs of hippies" greeted veterans. Hagerman's memory also raises eyebrows: the abandonment of military property—his uniform—was a serious offense. And despite the numerous versions of this story that circulate, there is no evidence such as photographs of bathroom trash cans draped with uniforms to support the claims. Military personnel had to be in uniform to fly home free making it additionally unlikely that uniforms were shed in the manner described.

Major news organizations have been taken to task before for giving voice to stories of denigrated veterans without tangible evidence. When the 25th anniversary of the war's end was marked in 2000, a spate of them garnered similar press attention. News critic Jack Shafer then editor of "The Fray" at Slate criticized the Times and U.S. News and World Report for their reports, respectively that Vietnam veterans had been spat on by protesters and had had to abandon their military clothing to avoid harassment.

When President Barak Obama spoke on Memorial Day, 2012 he recalled that Vietnam veterans had been "denigrated" upon their return home. "It was a national shame," he said, "that should have never happened." The President went on to pledge that the current generation of veterans would be treated better. The next day, Los Angeles Times editor Michael McGough criticized the president for having "ratified the meme of spat-upon veterans"—an edifying myth, McGough said, but still a myth.

The questionable accuracy of the hostile-homecoming stories is suggested by data from those times. A 1971 survey by Harris Associates conducted for the U.S. Senate reported 94% of the veterans polled saying their reception from their age-group peers was friendly.

The problem with repeating these stories of doubtful truth goes beyond the credibility of the journalism itself. It is rather, the power of the stories to displace the public memory of the war itself and the nature of the opposition to it. The response to Reynolds' article in the Times is a case in point: of the 159 online comments, 48 or 30% focused on just 13 of the 1,500 words that he had written: "I came home through San Francisco's airport to throngs of hippies harassing me." Many more of the comments were of the "thank you for your service" variety that are meaningful only with the backstory of supposedly hostile homecomings as context.

Most importantly, the war that Reynolds had written about, and we need to think about, was occluded by his veteran-as-victim anecdote, a storyline that readers could not resist.

The stories of Vietnam veterans defiled by activists has worked over the years to vilify the anti-war movement and even discredit the many veterans who joined the cause to end the war.  The stories fed a belief that the war had been lost on the home front; from the 1980s through the 2016 election, conservative politicians ran for office on a conviction that radicals on campuses and liberals in Congress had sapped American will to win in Vietnam; it is the wellspring of the resentfulness that Donald Trump tapped for his run to the White House.

President Obama's 2012 Memorial Day speech announcing Pentagon funding for a twelve-year series of Vietnam War anniversary commemorations renewed interest in the war and made the treatment of veterans the focus of that interest. Ken Burns' film due out in September will keep the war in our conversations.

News coverage of the commemorations and the film will magnify those interests. Let's hope that news coverage of the remembrances and reception to the film will temper the alluring but dubious reports of unfriendly veteran homecomings with references to more historically grounded research.

 

 

From: Response Requested (via Civic Action)
Subject: Do you think healthcare is a human right?

Do you support 'Medicare for All'?

YES >> NO >>

Access to quality healthcare shouldn't be a right reserved for the wealthy few.

That's what Lyndon Johnson believed when he created Medicare and Medicaid 52 years ago today:
   

We want to make Lyndon Johnson's vision of universal healthcare a reality for all Americans.

So we need to hear from you right now: You support 'Medicare for All'?
   

Do you support 'Medicare for All'? YES >> NO >>

The US is one of the only Western nations that doesn't provide universal health care for all of our citizens.

Now that the GOP's attempt to repeal Obamacare has failed, it's time for us to move forward with bold progressive policies like Medicare for All.

More Americans than ever believe that healthcare is a human right, not a privilege for the wealthy few.

That's why we need to hear from you. Do you support 'Medicare for All?

Take our quick poll now:

http://go.civicaction.com/Medicare-Anniversary

Paid for by Civic Action

 

 

From: Troublemakers Wanted (via The team at Civic Action)
Subject: Bernie and You?

Trumpcare was killed thanks to Troublemakers like you and Bernie Sanders.

Sign your name to thank Bernie Sanders >>

We couldn't agree more!

Trumpcare was killed thanks to thousands of Troublemakers like you (and Bernie!) taking action and making your voices heard.

One thing we love about Bernie here at Civic Action is that he does not apologize for his bold policy positions.

That is what Civic Action is all about: standing for big, progressive ideas, no matter what the opposition says.

We've got to keep making trouble, by not just resisting Trumpcare, but by advocating for Medicare-For-All. That's how we're going to win back majorities throughout the country.

Sign your name to thank troublemakers like Bernie Sanders:
  

THANK BERNIE >>

http://go.civicaction.com/Thank-Bernie-Sanders


Paid for by Civic Action

 

 

From: Anna, Emma, Ben, Anne, and the rest of the team, MoveOn.org Civic Action
Subject: Thank Sen. Brown for fighting for our health care

Together, we just did something big.

Last night, once again, Republicans couldn't pass Trumpcare, because millions of Americans—MoveOn members and many others—rose up and stopped them.

By just one vote, the Senate rejected the latest version of Trumpcare, which would've stripped health care from 16 million people, raised premiums for millions more, and defunded Planned Parenthood. In the days leading up to this vote, MoveOn members made more than 100,000 calls to the Senate, staged emergency rallies around the country, and shared MoveOn-produced videos on health care that've now been seen over 10 million times—all following months of relentless grassroots organizing.

And as the Senate was preparing to vote, MoveOn members gathered at a rally outside the Capitol. Joined by allies, elected officials, and other Americans from all walks of life, we chanted so loudly that we could be heard inside the halls of the Capitol itself! Moments after the vote, at 1:30 a.m., Senate Democrats joined the electrified crowd—sharing spine-tingling words about the power of grassroots activism and the need to always keep up the fight. People at the rally, some of whom had been there for over seven hours and some of whom were mothers with sleeping children in strollers and carriers, stood up and shared their own stories of what this victory meant to them.

There is plenty of work to be done—to protect the Affordable Care Act from new versions of Trumpcare and sabotage by the administration, to build the campaign that asserts health care is a human right and creates a Medicare-for-All-style single-payer system, to bring this grassroots energy to so many other fronts. But for today, let's savor this win, which belongs to the grassroots.

And let's say thank you to the 51 senators who resisted McConnell and Trump and rejected Trumpcare.

Democrats were absolutely united in this fight—which was critical to last night's victory. Can you thank Senator Sherrod Brown by posting a message to his Facebook page or over Twitter, thanking him for fighting for our health care? You can say something like "Thank you for fighting for health care for all Americans and stopping Trumpcare! You've saved health care for tens of millions of us. KEEP FIGHTING—and let's work towards Medicare for All!"

Here are different ways to share that message:
   

• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherrod/
• Tweeting and using their handle: @SenSherrodBrown
• By giving them a call: Sherrod Brown (D) - (202) 224-2315

We know the big-money interests that bought off so many Republican votes won't rest, and they'll look for new ways to pursue their agenda. We won't rest either. This weekend, MoveOn members are participating in 250 "listening canvasses" around the country, talking to neighbors and learning what matters most to our communities, including how our neighbors are thinking about the need for affordable health care. And MoveOn members are participating in 140 "Lives on the Line" actions this weekend—rallies and speak-outs to stand for health care for all Americans and against any attempt to kick Americans off health care.

Join us at either of these events this weekend—click here for canvasses or click here for "Lives on the Line"—as we continue to thank the senators who stood for health care, shame those who vote to take health care from millions of Americans, and build on the momentum from last night's victory.

Want to support our work? The MoveOn community will work every moment, day by day and year by year, to resist Trump's agenda, contain the damage, defeat hate with love, and begin the process of swinging the nation's pendulum back toward sanity, decency, and the kind of future that we must never give up on. And to do it we need your ongoing support, now more than ever. Will you stand with us?

Donate monthly! Or make a one-time gift!

Contributions to MoveOn.org Civic Action are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. This email was sent to Munsup Seoh on July 28th, 2017. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

 

From: Thomas Scott
Subject: Single Payer; The Fall of Empire; History of Full Employment & Civil Rights

Single Payer, Meet All Payer: The Surprising State That Is Quietly Revolutionizing Health Care

Donald Trump and the Coming Fall of American Empire

The Incredible Lost History of How "Civil Rights Plus Full Employment Equals Freedom"

 

 

From: Thomas Scott
Subject: "Politricks" This Week

Dismantling of state's health reforms in 1993 may offer lessons for Obamacare repeal

3 Reasons Catholic Bishops Are Holding Their Tongues on GOP Health Care Debacle

The Hypocritical Messaging of the Democrats' "Better Deal"

 

 

From: Senator Rob Portman
Subject: Rob's Rundown: Week of July 24-28, 2017
   

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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