Rob Portman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rob Portman
Official portrait, 2018
United States Senator from Ohio
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by	George Voinovich
Succeeded by	JD Vance
Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee
In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Gary Peters
Succeeded by	Rand Paul
35th Director of the Office of Management and Budget
In office May 29, 2006 – June 19, 2007
President	George W. Bush
Deputy	Steve McMillin
Preceded by	Joshua Bolten
Succeeded by	Jim Nussle
14th United States Trade Representative
In office May 17, 2005 – May 29, 2006
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Robert Zoellick
Succeeded by	Susan Schwab
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 2nd district
In office May 4, 1993 – April 29, 2005
Preceded by	Bill Gradison
Succeeded by	Jean Schmidt
White House Director of Legislative Affairs
In office September 25, 1989 – April 12, 1991
President	George H. W. Bush
Preceded by	Gordon Wheeler
Succeeded by	Stephen Hart
Personal details
Born	Robert Jones Portman (1955-12-19) December 19, 1955 (age 69) Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Jane Dudley ​ (m. 1986)​
Children	3
Education	Dartmouth College (BA) University of Michigan (JD)
Signature

Robert Jones Portman (born December 19, 1955) is an American lawyer and politician. He served as a U.S. Senator for Ohio from 2011 to 2023. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Before becoming a Senator, Portman held several important roles. He was the 35th Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from 2006 to 2007. He also served as the 14th United States trade representative from 2005 to 2006. From 1993 to 2005, he was a U.S. representative for Ohio's 2nd district.

In 1993, Portman won a special election to join the United States House of Representatives. He was reelected six times. He left the House in 2005 when President George W. Bush appointed him as the U.S. Trade Representative. In this role, Portman worked on trade agreements with other countries. In 2006, Bush appointed him to lead the Office of Management and Budget.

In 2010, Portman ran for the U.S. Senate and won. He was reelected in 2016. On January 25, 2021, he announced he would not seek a third term. After leaving office in 2023, Portman started The Portman Center for Policy Solutions at the University of Cincinnati. He also works as a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and is a director at Procter & Gamble.

Early Life and Family

Rob Portman was born in 1955 in Cincinnati, Ohio. His parents were Joan and William C. "Bill" Portman II. His family was Presbyterian. His great-grandfather came from Switzerland. Portman also has Scots-Irish, English, and German roots.

The Golden Lamb Inn, Ohio's oldest continually operating restaurant and inn, is owned by the Portman family

Portman with President George H. W. Bush in 1990

In 1926, Portman's grandfather, Robert Jones, bought the Golden Lamb Inn in Lebanon, Ohio. He and his wife, Virginia Kunkle Jones, fixed it up. They decorated it with old collectibles and Shaker items. They ran the inn until 1969.

When Portman was young, his father started the Portman Equipment Company. It was a forklift dealership. Rob and his siblings worked there as they grew up. From his mother, Joan, who was a liberal Republican, Portman learned to support the Republican Party.

Education and Early Career

Portman graduated from Cincinnati Country Day School in 1974. He then went to Dartmouth College. There, he studied anthropology and earned a bachelor's degree in 1978. In Cincinnati, Portman helped with Bill Gradison's campaign for Congress. Gradison later became a mentor to him.

Portman then went to the University of Michigan Law School. He earned his law degree in 1984. While in law school, he traveled across China by kayak and hiking. He met Jane Dudley, whom he married in 1986. After law school, Portman worked for law firms in Washington, D.C., and Cincinnati.

In 1989, Portman started working in government. He was an associate White House Counsel for President George H. W. Bush. From 1989 to 1991, he was Bush's deputy assistant. He also directed the White House Office of Legislative Affairs. During this time, Portman visited several countries, including China, Egypt, and Kuwait.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives: 1993–2005

In 1993, Portman ran in a special election to fill a vacant seat in the United States House of Representatives for Ohio's 2nd congressional district. He won the election and began his service in Congress.

Portman was reelected six times, serving until 2005. He was known for working well with members of both political parties.

Key Work in the House

Rob Portman testifying before the Senate Budget Committee in 1998

One of Portman's first votes in Congress was for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1993. This agreement aimed to reduce trade barriers between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

He also played a key role in the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, which gave taxpayers more rights. Portman was known for his ability to work with Democrats to pass important laws. He supported the Iraq War Resolution in 2002.

Portman has said he was most proud of helping pass the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act, which reformed welfare.

Working for President George W. Bush: 2005–2007

United States Trade Representative

On March 17, 2005, President Bush nominated Portman to be the United States Trade Representative. This role involves negotiating trade agreements with other countries. Portman was confirmed and sworn in on May 17, 2005.

As Trade Representative, Portman worked on trade agreements with many countries. He also helped pass the Central American Free Trade Agreement, which aimed to remove trade barriers between the U.S. and several Central American countries.

Portman nominated for OMB Director and Schwab nominated for USTR, 2006

Portman also addressed trade issues with China. He pushed for fair trade practices and challenged China on certain trade policies through the World Trade Organization.

Director of the Office of Management and Budget

On April 18, 2006, Bush nominated Portman to be the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The OMB director helps create the federal government's budget and oversees how money is spent. Portman was confirmed by the Senate in May 2006.

As OMB director from May 2006 to August 2007, Portman helped create the $2.9 trillion budget for 2008. He was a strong supporter of balancing the budget and controlling government spending.

On June 19, 2007, Portman resigned from the OMB, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.

U.S. Senator for Ohio: 2011–2023

Map detailing the Ohio counties that Portman received pluralities within (shown in red) during the 2010 U.S. Senate election

Map detailing the Ohio counties that Portman received pluralities within (shown in red) during the 2016 U.S. Senate election

Senate Elections

In 2009, Portman announced he would run for the open U.S. Senate seat in Ohio. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary. He focused his campaign on creating jobs and economic growth.

Portman won the 2010 election with 57% of the vote. He won in 82 of Ohio's 88 counties.

In 2016, Portman ran for reelection. He faced former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. Portman won the election with 58% of the vote. .....

Time in the Senate

Portman's portrait during the
112th Congress

Portman speaks at the memorial of Neil Armstrong, 2012.

Portman was known for being a very bipartisan (working with both parties) member of the Senate. He was ranked as one of the most bipartisan senators. He often worked with Democrats to find common ground on issues.

In 2011, Portman was chosen to be part of a special committee to reduce the national debt. He worked closely with other senators on this committee.

Portman gave the eulogy at the funeral of astronaut Neil Armstrong in 2012. He also gave the commencement speech at the University of Cincinnati's graduation ceremony that year.

On January 25, 2021, Portman announced he would not run for a third term in 2022. He stated that he wanted to focus on passing laws rather than fundraising and campaigning. He noted that many of his bills were signed into law by both President Trump and President Obama.

Committee Work

During his time in the Senate, Portman served on several important committees:

• United States Senate Committee on Finance
• United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
• United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
• United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

He also belonged to several groups of senators called caucuses, including the International Conservation Caucus and the Senate Ukraine Caucus.

Political Views

Portman greeting President Donald Trump in 2019

Portman is generally seen as a moderate-to-conservative Republican. He often voted with his party's leaders. However, he sometimes disagreed with them on certain issues. He was known for focusing on getting things done rather than just campaigning.

According to FiveThirtyEight, Portman voted with President Trump's positions about 90.4% of the time. As of October 2022, he voted with President Biden's positions about 61.8% of the time.

2012 Presidential Election

Portman was considered a possible choice for Vice President in 2012. He was on the list for Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Experts thought his experience in both the executive and legislative branches made him a good candidate.

After Romney chose Paul Ryan as his running mate, Portman spoke at the 2012 Republican National Convention. He talked about trade and his family business. Portman also helped Romney prepare for debates by pretending to be President Obama.

2016 Presidential Campaign

In 2014, some thought Portman might run for president in 2016. However, he announced in December 2014 that he would not run. He decided to seek a second term in the Senate instead.

Portman first supported Ohio Governor John Kasich in the Republican primaries. After Kasich dropped out, Portman endorsed Donald Trump. However, after some controversial audio recordings of Trump came out, Portman withdrew his endorsement. He said he would write in a vote for Trump's running mate, Mike Pence.

2020 Campaign and Capitol Attack

In the 2020 presidential election, Portman supported Trump. He was the Ohio state co-chair for Trump's re-election campaign. During Trump's first impeachment proceedings, Portman said Trump's actions were "wrong and inappropriate." However, he did not think they were serious enough for impeachment. He voted to acquit Trump.

After Joe Biden won the 2020 election, Portman initially did not recognize Biden as the winner. But he later said that there was no evidence of fraud that would change the election outcome. He accepted the election results after the Electoral College vote.

Portman opposed Trump's efforts to overturn the election results. He did not support the attempt by some Republicans to object to the counting of electoral votes. He said he could not support Congress going against the will of the voters. After the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, Portman said Trump "bears some responsibility" for the violence. He later voted to acquit Trump in his second impeachment trial.

Investigating Capitol Attack

In May 2021, Portman voted to create a bipartisan commission. This group would investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. However, the vote failed because it did not get enough support.

Veterans' Healthcare

In July 2022, Portman voted for the SFC Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. This law provides healthcare for veterans who got sick from burn pit exposure overseas. He initially supported it, but later voted against a final version of the bill.

Budget and Economy

Portman strongly supports a balanced budget amendment. He worked with Democratic Senator Jon Tester to try and prevent government shutdowns. He also worked with Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill to look into government spending on public relations.

Portman has suggested a "balanced approach to the deficit." This would involve making government programs more efficient. He is known for working with both parties on financial issues. In August 2021, he was one of 19 Republican senators who voted for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This bill provided funding for roads, bridges, and other projects.

LGBT Rights

Until 2013, Portman did not support LGBT rights. In 1996, he supported the Defense of Marriage Act. This law banned federal recognition of same-sex marriage.

On March 14, 2013, Portman announced he had changed his mind. He now supported legalizing gay marriage. He was the first sitting Republican U.S. senator to do so. This change happened two years after his son told him he was gay.

In November 2013, Portman was one of 10 Republican senators who voted for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). This bill aimed to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation.

In July 2022, Portman co-sponsored the Respect for Marriage Act. This bill aims to protect gay marriage rights nationwide.

Women's Rights

Portman voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act in 2013. This law helps protect women from violence.

Environment

Portman has voted to limit the government's power to control greenhouse gas emissions. In 2015, he voted to block the Clean Power Plan. This plan aimed to reduce carbon pollution from power plants. He also supported more oil drilling on public lands.

In 2013, Portman helped create a bill to reauthorize the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act. This law helps deal with harmful algal blooms and low-oxygen areas in water.

Portman also co-sponsored an amendment to the 2017 Energy Bill. This amendment recognized that climate change is real. It also stated that human activity contributes to the problem.

Foreign Policy

Portman with George W. Bush

Portman is against the U.S. joining the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

In March 2016, Portman worked with Democratic Senator Chris Murphy on a bill. It was called the Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act. This law aimed to fight foreign propaganda. After the 2016 election, there were concerns about Russian propaganda on social media. This law authorized funding to help the U.S. State Department fight such propaganda.

Israel

In 2018, Portman and Senator Ben Cardin wrote the Israel Anti-Boycott Act. This bill would make it illegal for companies to participate in boycotts against Israel.

Trade

Portman has always supported free trade agreements. He supported agreements with countries like Australia, Chile, and Singapore. He was praised by President Bush for being a "champion of free and fair trade."

Portman has also supported laws to address currency manipulation by other countries. He wanted to impose duties on Chinese imports if China did not stop this practice. In 2016, he opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. He felt it did not address currency manipulation.

In January 2018, Portman was one of 36 Republican senators who asked Trump to keep the North American Free Trade Agreement. In November 2018, he asked Trump to submit the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement to Congress quickly.

Gun Laws

Portman has a high rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA). The NRA has supported him in past elections.

In 2019, Portman co-sponsored a bill called the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. This bill would allow people with concealed carry permits in their home state to carry concealed weapons in other states.

In 2022, Portman was one of ten Republican senators to support a bipartisan agreement on gun control. This agreement included measures like stronger background checks for young buyers. It also provided funding for school safety.

Health Care

Portman has worked to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. In 2017, he voted to repeal it. He supported proposed cuts to Medicaid.

Portman and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tour the CHS Trail House. This facility cares for children before they are placed with family.

Immigration

In June 2018, Portman was one of 13 Republican senators who asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions to pause the Trump administration family separation policy. They wanted Congress to draft new laws. In March 2019, he voted against Trump's use of an emergency declaration to build a border wall.

Portman opposed Trump's Muslim travel ban. He said the order was not "properly vetted." He supported the federal judges who blocked its implementation.

Jobs

In 2014, Portman voted against extending long-term unemployment benefits. He was concerned about a part of the bill that would let companies contribute less to employee pension funds. However, in April 2014, he voted to extend federal funding for unemployment benefits.

In 2014, Portman opposed the Minimum Wage Fairness Act. This bill aimed to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour.

In 2015, Portman voted for an amendment. This amendment would create a fund to allow employees to earn paid sick time.

Judiciary

Portman and Brett Kavanaugh in July 2018

In September 2018, Portman supported Trump's nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. He called Kavanaugh "a man of integrity and humility."

In September 2020, Portman supported a vote on Trump's nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court. This was to fill the vacancy left by the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Biden Administration

When Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, Portman was one of the few Republicans to say he would certify the electoral college vote. During Trump's second impeachment trial, Portman said he would keep an open mind. He ultimately voted not guilty. However, he said Trump's comments before the Capitol attack were partly responsible for the violence.

Portman was a key senator in creating the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan. This plan passed the Senate in August 2021.

Personal Life

Throughout his career, Portman and his family have resided in Terrace Park, Ohio.

Portman married Jane Dudley in July 1986. They have three children. The Portmans attend the United Methodist Church.

Portman still owns the Golden Lamb Inn with his brother and sister. He is an avid kayaker, speaks Spanish, and enjoys bike rides. In 2004, Portman co-authored a book about the 19th-century Shaker community in Ohio called Wisdom's Paradise: The Forgotten Shakers of Union Village.

Awards and Honors

Portman has received many awards for his public service. In 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded Portman the Order of Merit, first class, for his support of Ukraine. He has also received awards from organizations like the National Retail Federation, the American Bar Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Foreign Award for Fighting Military Aggression

• Ukraine
  • Honorary Diploma of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (2024) – Awarded by Ukrainian Parliament; presented by Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada.

See also

In Spanish: Rob Portman para niños