Portman comments on TPP Executive Order, abortion funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) issued the following statement on President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP):

“One in four Ohio manufacturing jobs depends on exports, and one in three acres of Ohio farmland is planted for export. Growing exports is critical to our economy. But at the same time, we shouldn’t allow countries like China to violate trade laws with unfair imports. We can and should crack down on those who cheat and insist on a level playing field.

“For more than two years, I expressed concern that any final TPP agreement needed to address currency manipulation, provide a level playing field for American automobile manufacturers, and protect U.S. biologics. Unfortunately, the Obama administration moved forward without addressing these concerns, and that is why I opposed the TPP.”

Portman, in 2015, voted in favor of fast-track legislation for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which allowed Obama to send the final trade deal to Congress for a vote, with no opportunity for amendments.

“We can do better,” Portman said today, “and I look forward to working with the Trump administration and engaging our allies on better trade agreements that open markets for ‘Made in the U.S.A. products’ and protect American workers.

“Lastly, during the campaign last year, I also made clear that NAFTA should be updated. I stand ready to help the Trump administration update the agreement to help our local businesses that export Ohio-made products and to better protect Ohio jobs.”

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Portman 29 senators in introducing bill to
permanently prohibit federal funding of abortion

• Today, during March for Life week and on the same day that President Trump reinstated the Mexico City Policy – stopping taxpayer funding of abortion overseas – Sen. Portman joined with a group of 29 other senators in introducing the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (S. 184) to permanently prohibit federal funding of abortion.

Currently, the legal protections that prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used for abortion are temporary, attached to annual spending bills that must be passed again every year and do not apply to the Affordable Care Act.

President Trump’s Mexico City policy Executive Order could be undone by an Executive Order of his successor. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act would make these protections permanent and take taxpayer funding of abortion completely off the table, something President Trump has stated he supports.

“I believe in the sanctity of every human life – especially the most vulnerable, like the unemployed or the drug addicted or the unborn. Every life is valuable and deserves to be protected by law,” said Portman.

“Ohioans work hard. We don’t want our tax dollars spent on a practice that takes an innocent life and goes against the consciences of half of the country. Now that President Trump has stopped funding for abortions overseas, we should finish the job and permanently ban it at home and abroad.”

The bill is supported by the National Right to Life, the Family Research Council, the Susan B. Anthony List, Americans United for Life, March for Life, and U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, among others.

In the last Congress, Portman voted for H.R. 36, the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would have banned abortion six months after conception, when science has shown that the unborn baby can feel pain. He also voted for S. 1881, which would have redirected federal funds from Planned Parenthood to community health centers across the country that provide women with access to quality healthcare. Portman has also introduced the Child Custody Protection Act, to prohibit transporting a minor across state lines for abortion to get around state parental consent laws.

NOTE: Senators joining Portman in introducing this legislation include Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Roger Wicker (R-MS), John Barrasso, (R-WY), Roy Blunt (R-MO); John Boozman, (R-AR), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Thad Cochran (R-MS), John Cornyn (R-TX), Bob Corker (R-TN), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), John McCain (R-AZ) Jerry Moran (R-KS), Rand Paul (R-KY), Jim Risch (R-ID), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Richard Shelby (R-AL), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).