Sen. Portman visits high-tech Mason company

“Portman said one of the results of his visit will be to return to Washington, D.C., and encourage the administration to clarify its direction and make a more efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

“NASA and the administration and Congress haven’t always been on the same page the past couple of years so one thing they’re looking for here is certainty,” he said. “They need to know what direction we’re going so they can be sure to retain the expertise, the engineers and the significant taxpayer investment into the technology.”

“When you turn programs on, turn them off and turn them back on again...it’s pretty disruptive and pretty expensive.”  (“Sen. Portman visits high-tech Mason company,” Dayton Daily News, Eric Schwartzberg, 01/18/11)

Portman tours Euclid manufacturer, pines for jobs

"We need jobs. We need them here. We've got the best workers and we've got the best technology here, and we've got the facilities," Portman said, "and I'm going to do everything in my power to ensure that we can use all these resources to really maximize the chances to create jobs and opportunities here in Euclid and Northeast Ohio, and our state."

“Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenik said he is confident in the relationship between the city and the senator…

“Portman has visited several different facilities, including the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. He will visit more in the coming days as he becomes more familiar with Ohio's energy advancements, and determines where jobs can be created.

"I'm going to continue to focus on what I think is the most pressing need right now in Ohio, which is to make sure that we begin to bring back the opportunities and the jobs," Portman said. (“Portman tours Euclid manufacturer, pines for jobs,” The News-Herald, Caitlin Fertal, 01/20/11)

Portman: Government's emphasis should be on jobs, economy

“A new health care law, more international trade agreements, and fewer new regulations will help pull the U.S. out of a persistent jobless recovery, new U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio) said Thursday during his first trip back to northwest Ohio since being elected…

“Mr. Portman called on the Obama administration and Congress to approve trade deals with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama. He said Ohio manufacturers Chrysler and Whirlpool ship 25 percent of their Jeep wranglers and Whirlpool washing machines to foreign markets.

“Quoting statistics from the Obama administration, Mr. Portman said the agreement with South Korea would increase annual exports of American goods by up to $11 billion and support at least 70,000 American jobs." (“Portman: Government's emphasis should be on jobs, economy,” Toledo Blade, Blade staff, 1/20/11)

Senator Rob Portman & Whirlpool Chairman and CEO Jeff Fettig Visit Whirlpool Washing Machine Plant in Clyde, Ohio

“We're delighted to welcome Senator Portman to our Clyde facility," said Jeff M. Fettig, chairman and chief executive officer, Whirlpool Corporation.  "Whirlpool is celebrating 100 years of operation in 2011, and we are proud to be the global leader in the appliance industry. We're even more proud of our U.S. heritage.  We are confident in, and continue to invest in the U.S. market.  In fact, we're making investments in our U.S. footprint totaling $1 billion over five years, including $250 million invested in our Ohio plants in the last three years.   We look forward to working with Senator Portman to help ensure we can remain competitive while retaining U.S. manufacturing jobs." 

"Washington has, unfortunately, been making it harder, not easier, for companies of all sizes here in Ohio to grow and create jobs," said U.S. Senator Rob Portman.  "We need to turn that around and pass pro-job growth legislation.  I'm optimistic that we'll be able to come together on a bipartisan basis to ratify pending export agreements, agreements that would provide opportunity here in Clyde and across Ohio, benefitting Ohio companies and their employees." (“Senator Rob Portman & Whirlpool Chairman and CEO Jeff Fettig Visit Whirlpool Washing Machine Plant in Clyde, Ohio,” Whirlpool Press Release, 1/20/11)

Portman visits Toledo, tours Jeep

“U.S. Senator Rob Portman was the keynote speaker Thursday at the Toledo Chamber's annual meeting at Gladieux Meadows.

“His main focus was to talk about job growth in the state of Ohio…

“Sen. Portman, who won the seat after Sen. George Voinovich retired, talked with Fiat and union workers at Jeep. He admitted he's excited about the progress at the Jeep plant.

"That's an opportunity for us to not only keep the good jobs that are there but expand 25-percent of the Wranglers they're making today at that plant are being sold overseas," Sen. Portman said. "So we have to increase our exports because that creates jobs here in Toledo.” (“Portman visits Toledo, tours Jeep,” FOX Toledo, 1/21/11)

As a reminder, Rob released the following statement regarding the House’s vote to repeal the Democrats’ health care law:

“With its new health care law, Washington missed an opportunity last year to truly reduce health care costs and improve the system for Ohio families and small businesses.  That’s why I support replacing the current law with a more sensible approach.  We can do better.  I will push for the opportunity in the U.S. Senate to pull back from the $2.6 trillion health care law and truly reform the system to reduce costs and help create jobs.”

Rob will be in Washington, D.C. next week as the Senate returns to session.  As you know, the State of the Union will be on Tuesday evening, Senator Portman will be attending.  We’ll be in touch early next week with an update on Rob’s week and any legislative issues that might be of interest.

As always, please don’t hesitate to be in touch with any questions and remember to follow the Portman Press Office on Twitter for timely updates about Senator Rob Portman.