Rob’s Rundown: Week of 22 – March 26, 2021

Senator Portman was back in Washington this week, where he delivered remarks on the Senate floor Monday highlighting his recent trip to the border in El Paso, Texas, during which he witnessed firsthand the ongoing migrant and unaccompanied children crisis. 

During a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, Portman pressed Deanne Criswell, the nominee to be Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), on the request for FEMA to provide disaster assistance to address the surge of migrants at our southern border despite the fact that President Biden has not issued an emergency declaration. 

On Wednesday, Portman joined FOX Business’ Kudlow to discuss the need to pass his legislation to permanently ban earmarks. This comes as Democrats in the House and Senate have pledged to revive earmarks. Portman also expressed concerns about the stimulus checks included in the Democrats’ $1.9 trillion spending package, which passed earlier this month, not actually stimulating the economy.

On Thursday, Portman introduced the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) 3.0 to increase the funding authorization levels for the Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act (CARA) programs enacted in 2016 and put in place additional policy reforms to help combat the opioid epidemic that has worsened during the coronavirus pandemic.

Finally, Portman introduced the Israel Relations Normalization Act of 2021 -- bipartisan legislation that aims to build upon the success of the Abraham Accords, the peace and normalization agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, by stating U.S. policy is to strengthen and expand these normalization agreements.

For a more detailed look at Senator Portman’s week, please see the following:

Monday, March 22, 2021

On Senate Floor, Portman Discusses Recent Trip to U.S. Southern Border to See Migrant Crisis Firsthand

Senator Portman, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, discussed his recent trip to the southern border in El Paso, Texas, where he witnessed firsthand the ongoing migrant and unaccompanied children crisis.

Senator Portman has made it clear that the Biden administration’s border crisis of unaccompanied children being detained at overcrowded Border Patrol stations is a direct result of its dismantling of the previous administration’s policies with no consideration of the ramifications of removing those policies and how it would incentivize migration. Portman urged the administration to change course soon and put in place smart policies that address the need for legal and orderly processes for migration and reduce the pull factors that encourage these migrant and young children to make the treacherous journey north, while also securing our borders and protecting the American people.

A transcript of his remarks can be found here and a video can be found here.

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Portman Announces $8.8 Million FEMA Grant to the State of Ohio to Provide COVID-19 Protective Measures

Portman applauded the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for awarding a $8.8 million grant to help the State of Ohio’s Emergency Management Agency with costs associated with continuing to provide COVID-19 emergency protective measures through a mass vaccination site in Cleveland. FEMA awarded this grant from replenished funds accessible thanks to the bipartisan CARES Act, which Senator Portman supported and was signed into law by former President Trump.   

“The $8.8 million FEMA grant is good news for the State of Ohio and Greater Cleveland because it will continue to provide the protective measures Ohioans desperately need during this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, this funding will help fund the operation at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center Vaccination Site,” said Portman. “Widespread vaccination is the key to defeating this virus and restoring our way of life. I will continue to work with my bipartisan colleagues in Congress to ensure that Ohio has the necessary resources during these uncertain times.”   

Portman, Stabenow Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral RECYCLE Act to Improve Nation’s Recycling Programs

Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Representatives David Joyce (R-OH) and Dean Phillips (D-MN) introduced legislation, the RECYCLE Act, to create a new federal grant program through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help educate households and consumers about their residential and community recycling programs. U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Todd Young (R-IN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Susan Collins (R-ME) are original cosponsors of this legislation. 

Reports indicate consumer confusion on how to properly recycle is one of the top recycling challenges. Through education and outreach, the RECYCLE Act will help increase recycling rates and reduce contamination in the recycling stream. 

According to the EPA, the recycling rate in the U.S. is 32.1 percent, which presents an opportunity to improve our nation’s recycling systems. Recycling offers numerous benefits, including diverting materials from landfills, using less energy to reprocess recycled material, which reduces emissions, and supporting the economy. EPA’s 2020 Recycling Economic Information (REI) Report found that recycling supports more than 681,000 jobs and generates $5.5 billion annually in tax revenues. 

“Education and outreach are key to improving recycling rates and reducing contamination in our recycling stream,” said Senator Portman. “One third of materials that households put into their recycling bins end up in landfills and are not actually recycled. This is partly due to confusion about what can actually be recycled. Education is a key component to both increasing the amount of material that is being recycled and ensuring that the material being put into community and residential recycling programs is actually being recycled. I am pleased to be introducing the RECYCLE Act and look forward to working with my colleagues to get it across the finish line.”

Portman, Klobuchar Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Address Nationwide Housing Shortage

Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced the Housing Supply and Affordability Act to create a new grant program that would provide funding to help localities develop and implement comprehensive housing policy plans. This program will provide technical assistance to help states, localities, and regional coalitions increase housing supply, improve housing affordability, and reduce barriers to new housing development while avoiding the displacement of current residents. Companion legislation in the House of Representatives is led by Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Jaime Herrera Beutler (D-WA), and Joyce Beatty (D-OH). 

“The economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic has increased the cost of housing in Ohio and cities across the nation. To truly address this issue, we need to look closely at what’s happening at the local level, and that is exactly what this bill does,” said Portman. “This bipartisan piece of legislation will provide localities and municipalities with resources to expand the supply of housing and increase affordability. As we turn the corner on the coronavirus pandemic, let’s make sure that housing affordability and availability is at the center of our economic recovery efforts.”

Portman Presses Federal Witness on Census Data Delay Impacting Legislative Redistricting

Senator Portman, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, pressed the Acting Director of the United States Census Bureau Ron Jarmin on the ongoing 2020 Census data delay that will impact legislative redistricting in Ohio and across the country. 

Excerpts of the hearing can be found here and a video can be found here.

On CNN, Portman Calls on Biden Administration to Address Ongoing Migrant Crisis at Southern Border

On CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper, Senator Portman discussed his recent trip to the southern border in El Paso, Texas, where he witnessed firsthand the ongoing migrant and unaccompanied children crisis. 

Portman has made it clear that the Biden administration’s border crisis of unaccompanied children being detained at overcrowded Border Patrol stations is a direct result of its dismantling of the previous administration’s policies with no consideration of the ramifications of removing those policies and how it would incentivize migration. Portman urged the administration to change course soon and put in place smart policies that address the need for legal and orderly processes for migration and reduce the pull factors that encourage these migrant and young children to make the treacherous journey north, while also securing our borders and protecting the American people. He has proposed immediate adjudications for asylum claims for migrants at the border, allowing these unaccompanied children to apply for asylum in their home countries or safe third countries, and finally making the E-Verify system mandatory for all employers to address the economic magnet that pulls many migrants here. 

Excerpts on the interview can be found here and a video can be found here.

Portman Questions Nominee to be Administrator of US Agency for International Development on Worsening Border Crisis

Portman questioned Ambassador Samantha Power, nominee to serve as Administrator to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), on the Biden Administration’s response to the worsening crisis on America’s border. Senator Portman has made it clear that the Biden Administration’s border crisis of unaccompanied children being detained at overcrowded Border Patrol stations is a direct result of its dismantling of the previous administration’s policies with no consideration of the ramifications of removing those policies and how it would incentivize migration. Portman urged Ambassador Power to implement sound aid policies that will reduce the push factors that encourage these migrants and young children to make the treacherous journey north. 

A transcript of the exchange can be found here and a video can be found here.

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Portman Announces Open Application Period for Up to $20 Million in Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grants

Rob Portman, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) program will distribute up to $20 million in federal grants to establish or enhance capabilities to prevent targeted violence and terrorism. The final FY 2021 bipartisan funding package doubled investment in sustainable and innovative prevention programming to $20 million. The TVTP grant program prioritizes preventing domestic violent extremism; enhancing local threat assessment and management capabilities; implementing innovative solutions for preventing targeted violence and terrorism; and, for the first time, challenging online violence mobilization narratives. 

The FY 2021 TVTP grants are available to all state, local, tribal, territorial governments; non-profit organizations; and institutions of higher education. Any interested applicants should consult the Notice of Funding Opportunity for application information. The TVTP grant program application period will close on May 25, 2021. Portman released the following statement: 

“Domestic extremism and targeted violence have no place in our country. I was pleased to support this $20 million for the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention grant program to develop innovative solutions for preventing and countering terrorism and targeted violence in communities across the country. I encourage organizations across Ohio to apply for these funds and I look forward to seeing the best practices and capabilities developed through this grant program.”

Portman and House Colleagues Send Letter to Treasury in Support of Ohio Townships

Rob Portman (R-OH) along with Ohio Representatives Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Brad R. Wenstrup, D.P.M. (R-OH), Jim Jordan (R-OH), Robert E. Latta (R-OH), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Michael R. Turner (R-OH), Troy Balderson (R-OH), David P. Joyce (R-OH), and Steve Stivers (R-OH) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urging clarification on funding eligibility for townships in the State of Ohio under the recently-enacted $1.9 trillion stimulus plan. 

On March 8th, 2021, Senate Democrats passed their $1.9 trillion spending package with no Republican support. Rushed changes by Senate Democrats prior to the bill’s final passage have brought into question whether Ohio townships are eligible for state and local funding.

“Ohio has more than 1,300 townships throughout the state that provide critical support for their residents similar to cities, including police and fire protection, maintenance of roads, emergency medical services, solid waste disposal, and zoning,” the Members wrote in the letter to Secretary Yellen. “Since cities and other municipalities of similar size are eligible for funding under the legislation, it seems only appropriate that townships should also qualify.”

“The Ohio Township Association is immensely grateful for the support our townships have received from members of Congress,” said Heidi M. Fought, OTA Executive Director. “All of Ohio’s forms of local government are in need of this funding – Ohio townships are no exception. Being determined ineligible for this funding would leave townships and their communities struggling to recover from the pandemic’s effects, while other local governments would benefit from the ARP’s financial boost.” 

A PDF of the letter is available here.

At Committee Meeting, Portman Highlights Effectiveness of Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Program

At a Senate Foreign Relations Committee business meeting, U.S. Senator Rob Portman touted the effectiveness of the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act. This program, known as a debt-for-nature-swap, allows developing countries that meet certain criteria to be relieved of debt owed to the United States in exchange for protecting and preserving tropical forests and coral reefs. 

Earlier this year, Portman introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act for five years, from fiscal year 2022 through fiscal year 2026, at $20 million per year. The bill was voted out of Committee with an overwhelming bipartisan majority. 

A transcript of his remarks can be found here and a video can be found here.

On FOX Business, Portman Discusses Need to Permanently Ban Earmarks

On FOX Business’ Kudlow, Senator Portman discussed the need to pass legislation he introduced earlier this month to permanently ban earmarks following the decision by Democrats to reinstate them. 

Portman also expressed concerns about the stimulus checks included in the Democrats’ $1.9 trillion spending package, which passed earlier this month, not actually stimulating the economy. Portman pointed to a study showing that higher-income individuals who received these checks tend not to spend them, showing the need to make these kinds of direct payments more targeted to those who need them most. 

Excerpts of the interview can be found here and a video can be found here.

On The Scott Sands Show, Portman Discusses Seeing Ongoing Migrant Crisis Firsthand at Southern Border

On Tuesday, on WSPD Toledo’s The Scott Sands Show, Senator Portman discussed his recent trip to the southern border in El Paso, Texas, where he witnessed firsthand the ongoing migrant and unaccompanied children crisis. 

Portman has made it clear that the Biden administration’s border crisis of unaccompanied children being detained at overcrowded Border Patrol stations is a direct result of its dismantling of the previous administration’s policies with no consideration of the ramifications of removing those policies and how it would incentivize migration. Portman urged the administration to change course soon and put in place smart policies that address the need for legal and orderly processes for migration and reduce the pull factors that encourage these migrant and young children to make the treacherous journey north, while also securing our borders and protecting the American people. He has proposed immediate adjudications for asylum claims for migrants at the border, allowing these unaccompanied children to apply for asylum in their home countries or safe third countries, and finally making the E-Verify system mandatory for all employers to address the economic magnet that pulls many migrants here. 

Excerpts on the interview can be found here and you can listen here.  

Portman Delivers Opening Remarks at HSGAC Hearing on FEMA Administrator Nominee

Rob Portman, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, delivered opening remarks at the hearing on the nomination of Deanne Criswell to be Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Portman highlighted the important role of the FEMA Administrator in handling not only natural disaster emergencies, but also the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic response. 

Portman also discussed FEMA’s role in the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which provides grants to faith-based and other nonprofit organizations to help secure their facilities against potential terrorist attacks and acts of hate. Portman helped double the amount of funding available for the NSGP in the FY 2021 bipartisan funding agreement that was signed into law last year. Senator Portman and Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, also led the bipartisan legislation, now law, which authorizes $75 million annually for five years, from FYs 2020-2024, for NSGP. Under the legislation, funding may be used for target-hardening activities, training for personnel, and any other appropriate activity defined by the FEMA Administrator. 

A transcript of his opening statement can be found here and a video can be found here.

At Hearing, Portman Presses FEMA Administrator Nominee on Surge of Migrants at Southern Border

During a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, Ranking Member Rob Portman (R-OH), pressed Deanne Criswell, the nominee to be Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), on the request for FEMA to provide disaster assistance to address the surge of migrants at our southern border when President Biden has not issued an emergency declaration. Portman recently traveled to the southern border in El Paso, Texas, where he witnessed firsthand the ongoing migrant and unaccompanied children crisis, including situations where children were held in close quarters and unable to adhere to CDC distancing guidelines. 

In addition, Senator Portman highlighted the importance of expanding FEMA assistance to schools that reopened safely in 2020 under the new COVID-19 protocols. Currently, only schools that have or will reopen in 2021 are eligible to receive reimbursements from FEMA.  Portman is a strong proponent of safely reopening schools and believes every school that has reopened should receive federal assistance to ensure they have all the safety and personal protective gear they need to operate safely. 

A transcript of the exchange can be found here and a video can be found here.

Portman, Peters, Blunt, Klobuchar Statement on Continued Bipartisan Efforts to Investigate January 6th Capitol Attack

Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member and Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member and Chairwoman of the Committee on Rules and Administration, released the following statement on their ongoing bipartisan efforts to investigate intelligence, planning, response and security failures related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6th: 

“The January 6th attack on the Capitol marked an unprecedented assault on our democracy, and we are continuing our joint bipartisan efforts to get to the bottom of security and intelligence breakdowns that allowed a breach of the Capitol and to make needed reforms to prevent an attack like this from ever happening again. 

“Our two productive bipartisan oversight hearings helped provide many answers and accountability for the failures around this attack. Moving forward, we continue to investigate, collect, and review materials, as well as speak with current and former officials to conduct a thorough examination of the preparation and response failures surrounding January 6th. The Committees expect to release a bipartisan report on our investigation in the coming months. We are committed to providing the American people, including those who work in the Capitol, with the answers they deserve as well as recommendations to ensure this never happens again.”

Portman, Whitehouse, Capito, Klobuchar, Shaheen Introduce CARA 3.0 to Increase Access to Treatment, Prevention & Bolster Fight Against Addiction Epidemic

Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) 3.0 to increase the funding authorization levels for the Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act (CARA) programs enacted in 2016 and put in place additional policy reforms to help combat the opioid epidemic that has worsened during the coronavirus pandemic. CARA was a bipartisan, national effort designed to ensure that federal resources were devoted to evidence-based education, treatment and recovery programs that work. In FY 2021, CARA programs were funded at $782 million. Several key provisions of CARA 2.0 were enacted as part of the SUPPORT Act on October 24, 2018. CARA 3.0 builds on these efforts by increasing the funding authorization levels and laying out new policy reforms to strengthen the federal government’s response to this crisis. The CARA 3.0 bill text is here, section-by-section here, and a summary here. 

“In recent years we have made progress in fighting the scourge of addiction thanks to resources from the bipartisan CARA law, in addition to other bipartisan efforts in Congress. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges and we are now seeing another heartbreaking surge in overdose deaths. That is why we must redouble our efforts to combat addiction and help those who are suffering during this crisis,” said Portman. “In the new Congress, we have a unique opportunity to work together in a bipartisan way and I believe that CARA 3.0 can help us make a real difference in combating this epidemic. I want to thank Senators Whitehouse and Klobuchar for their leadership and partnership on this important national effort.”

Portman, Booker, Young, and Cardin Introduce Israel Relations Normalization Act of 2021

Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Todd Young (R-IN), and Ben Cardin (D-MD), all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the Israel Relations Normalization Act of 2021. The bill builds upon the success of the Abraham Accords, the peace and normalization agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco, by stating U.S. policy is to strengthen and expand these normalization agreements while requiring coordination throughout the Administration, specifically the Department of State (State), the Department of Defense, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). They are joined on this bill by: Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jim Risch (R-ID), Chris Coons (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ben Sasse (R-NE), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), John Boozman (R-AR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Josh Hawley (R-MO). 

“In my visits to the Middle East, I’ve seen the deep and abiding friendships that exist, and the potential for long-term peace and stability,” said Portman. “This bill will encourage normalization of relations between Israel and other countries in the region, which will help build on the success of the Abraham Accords, support our ally Israel and enshrine the longstanding U.S. policy that encourages Arab League states to normalize relations with Israel. Finally, Congress has an opportunity to act in a bipartisan way with this bill, which would send an important signal of unity and solidarity to the international community at a critical time.”

At Committee Hearing, Portman Touts Benefits of Tax Reform, Stresses Importance of American Competitiveness Around the World

At a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Portman explained how provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) bolstered the competitiveness of U.S companies operating in the global marketplace, benefiting the U.S. economy and American workers alike. In 2015, Portman co-chaired the International Tax working group, which examined the international tax system and proposed a bipartisan framework, which was the basis for TCJA. 

Democrats have proposed dramatically increasing the corporate tax rate and dismantling a number of provisions from TCJA that have successfully put U.S. companies on a level playing field with their foreign competitors and encouraged investment in the U.S. In addition, Portman questioned the witnesses on the allegations that TCJA resulted in off-shoring, and the witness confirmed that TCJA does not off-shore jobs, but instead makes the U.S. an attractive place to do business and ultimately helps American workers. 

A transcript of his remarks can be found here and a video can be found here.

Portman, Klobuchar Lead Colleagues in Urging VA to Combat Coronavirus Vaccine Misinformation Among Veterans

Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and colleagues urged the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to address vaccine hesitancy among veterans by combating misinformation. In a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, the senators cited recent reports on veterans’ concerns about the safety and efficacy of coronavirus vaccines, calling on the VA to take action to stop the spread of vaccine-related misinformation in conjunction with its ongoing vaccine distribution efforts. 

The senators wrote: “A recent poll by the Blue Star Families found that almost half of veteran families surveyed do not expect to receive a vaccine, with 75 percent of those families citing concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. Since the beginning of the pandemic, false information related to the coronavirus has spread rapidly. In order to save lives, we urge you to continue to address vaccine hesitancy by increasing educational efforts amongst VA recipients about vaccine misinformation.” 

This letter was also signed by Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bob Casey (D-PA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). 

Full text of the letter can be found here.

Portman, Hirono Praise Unanimous Senate Passage of Bipartisan Resolution to Designate April 2021 as “National Native Plant Month”

Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) praised unanimous Senate passage of their bipartisan resolution designating April 2021 as “National Native Plant Month.” This resolution recognizes the importance of native plants to environmental conservation and restoration, as well as in supporting a diversity of wildlife.  

“I am pleased with the passage of the bipartisan resolution designating April 2021 as National Native Plant Month,” said Portman. “From stabilizing soil and filtering air and water to providing shelter and food for wildlife, native plants play an indispensable role in supporting resilient ecosystems as well as in our everyday lives. This bipartisan resolution highlights the importance of native plants and celebrates our rich ecological heritage here in Ohio and across the nation.”

SOCIAL MEDIA

 

Sen. Portman pushes bill to address U.S. housing shortage

Republican U.S. Senator Rob Portman is co-sponsoring a bipartisan bill designed to address America’s housing shortage.

Portman, along with Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced the Housing Supply and Affordability Act to create a new grant program that would provide funding to help local communities develop and implement comprehensive housing policy plans.

Backers of the program say it would provide technical assistance to help states, localities, and regional coalitions increase housing supply, improve housing affordability, and reduce barriers to new housing development while avoiding the displacement of current residents. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House.

“The economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic has increased the cost of housing in Ohio and cities across the nation. To truly address this issue, we need to look closely at what’s happening at the local level, and that is exactly what this bill does,” said Portman. “This bipartisan piece of legislation will provide localities and municipalities with resources to expand the supply of housing and increase affordability.”

An estimated 2.5 million additional housing units are needed to match long-term housing demand, while the total inventory of homes for sale in December 2020 was the lowest on record.

The shortage of housing supply—and the inability of many housing markets to respond to local demand—decreases housing affordability for working families, restricts access to high-opportunity job markets, and raises the costs for housing assistance programs offered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The Housing Supply and Affordability Act will establish a $300 million per year grant program to award planning and implementation grants to states, localities, and regional coalitions of localities to support the development and implementation of comprehensive plans to expand the supply and affordability of housing, reduce barriers to new housing development, and avoid the displacement of current residents.

The bill also directs HUD to provide recommendations on strategies that states and localities should consider in developing and implementing these plans, including how to best inclusively engage with community members on housing reforms.

The bill requires routine reporting from applicants regarding the use of these grant funds, convenes a learning group of applicants and grantees to facilitate problem-solving regarding housing reforms, and requires a study from HUD describing the impact of the Program and outlining the most successful strategies in expanding the supply of housing.

The legislation has been endorsed by 100 national and local organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Up for Growth Action, NeighborWorks Association, Minnesota Housing Partnership, and American Planning Association.

Sen. Portman joins Secretary of Homeland Security in U.S.-Mexico border visit

Sen. Rob Portman was among a group of bipartisan senators who joined the Secretary of Homeland Security in a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border.

The group toured a local center for unaccompanied children and were shown procedures the center follows to process, shelter and transfer unaccompanied minors that arrive at the border.

Portman began his visit Thursday night, joining night operations with Border Patrol Agents to get an up-close look at security, according to the senator.

He claimed that Biden immigration policies are encouraging undocumented immigrants, especially children, to come across the border.

“One thing is certainly clear from my visit. The Biden administration’s dismantling of the previous admin’s policies with no consideration of the ramifications has incentivized migration, and increased Border Patrol manpower is critical,” said Portman on Twitter.

#