url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/10tv-congresswoman-beattys-ceremonial-community-swearing-in,10TV: Congresswoman Beatty's Ceremonial Community Swearing-in,2018-12-28,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"On Friday, December 28, 2018, 10TV was on hand to cover all the action surronding Congresswoman Beatty's Ceremonial Community Swearing-in event at the Columbus Metropolitan Library. An archived recordinng can be viewed on Beatty's official YouTube page.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/nbc4-congresswoman-beattys-ceremonial-community-swearing-in,NBC4: Congresswoman Beatty's Ceremonial Community Swearing-in,2018-12-28,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"471 East Broad Street, Suite 1100 Columbus, Ohio 43215 Phone: 614-220-0003 Fax: 614-220-5640 Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/browns-bipartisan-bill-to-help-ohio-communities-support-jobs-clean-up-lakes-and-rivers-set-to-become-law,"Brown’s Bipartisan Bill to Help Ohio Communities Support Jobs, Clean up Lakes and Rivers Set to Become Law",2018-12-23,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senate, House Passed Brown's Bill, Headed to President's Desk to be Signed into Law Sunday, December 23, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. The House and Senate have both passed legislation based on U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown's (D-OH) bipartisan Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act that would provide local communities with increased flexibility when complying with Clean Water Act requirements for updates to sewer systems. The Senate passed the final version of the bill yesterday, and the bill now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. The bill would also encourage cost-saving green infrastructure and give communities more autonomy as they prioritize and plan for wastewater and storm water investments. Red tape shouldn't force communities to spread their resources thin just to meet an arbitrary timeline, said Brown. Let's be smarter and work with communities so they can prioritize their wastewater investments while reducing pollution. This bipartisan bill will help support jobs and protect local drinking water. My sincere thanks to Senator Brown for his leadership in securing the Senate's unanimous approval of the legislation transforming Integrated Planning from just policy to actual law. This change will allow cities to achieve the nation's clean water goals in affordable and sustainable ways, said Mayor David Berger. Many state and local governments face difficulties meeting Clean Water Act requirements for critical storm water and wastewater updates. The U.S. Conference of Mayors found, on average, municipalities spend between 6 to 7 cents of every tax dollar on water and sewer systems. This makes water infrastructure the third-largest expense for cities, after education and emergency personnel. The Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act would: Provide communities with flexibility to prioritize investments in wastewater and storm water projects needed for CWA compliance. Establish an Office of Municipal Ombudsman at EPA to assist cities in complying with federal environmental laws. Compel the EPA to promote ""green infrastructure,"" which uses or mimics natural processes to infiltrate or reuse storm water runoff beneficially on-site where it is generated. The U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Counties, and the National League of Cities have endorsed Brown's legislation. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/19-women-in-congress-reveal-the-subtle-and-overt-sexism-they-ve-dealt,19 Women In Congress Reveal The Subtle (And Overt) Sexism Theyve Dealt With On Capitol Hill,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"A record number of women are headed to Congress in January, a significant accomplishment on the path toward gender parity. In light of this landmark achievement, Bustle spoke to women in Congress about the sexism they faced when they were first elected to office at both local and federal levels, as well as about what they've seen change over the years since. In speaking to current representatives and senators, as well as several congresswomen-elects, several patterns emerged. Women in Congress shared stories of being mistaken for spouses and in one representative's case, as waitstaff. They also detailed their journeys vying for positions on top congressional committees, and grappling with how to balance family commitments with their new duties to their constituents. One common sentiment that many of the women expressed was that while progress has been made, there is still a long way to go. Congress is not the boys' club it was 30, 15, or even five years ago, many said, but its culture and even its physical architecture is still designed with men in mind. As more women have been elected to both the House and the Senate, many are rallying together to make those changes a reality. Baby changing tables were recently installed in congressional bathrooms, for example, and one group of congressional mothers is organizing to make the congressional schedule more hospitable for working parents. Still, significantly more women need to be elected to Congress if true gender parity is to exist on Capitol Hill. And while changes have been made over the years, it's clear from these women's stories that there's still a lot of work to be done. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) Hassan says she's seen an increasing number of women thrive in leadership positions in her state. But, she says, gender discrimination can still be an issue. ""On a smaller scale, oftentimes when I would go to national events with my husband Tom, people would introduce themselves to him, thinking that he was the governor,"" she says. ""Other times, people would ask when the governor was arriving even though I was already there because they were expecting a man. But what we have learned in New Hampshire is that having women in elected leadership sets a powerful example for our younger generation."" As far as her work in the Senate is concerned, Hassan says that regularly getting together with other women senators has made an impact on how women in that chamber interact with each other. ""Since there are still only 23 of us, it's a particularly important opportunity for us to get to know each other so that we can better support one another and work together in a world in which we are still a significant minority,"" she says. ""There is far more work to do to balance the gender dynamics in Congress and until we do so, we won't be fully able to be a government body that truly represents the American citizenry."" Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA) ""I'm shocked by the old stereotypes that are still around in Congress from the turn of the century,"" Torres says. ""I'm stunned by how often I'm interrupted by male colleagues and referred to as 'mister.' It's a challenge I also faced as a local elected official and the reason my husband stopped attending events with me people would automatically assume that he was the member, and I was the supporting spouse. I thought Congress was above that."" Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) Wasserman Schultz recalls when she hired her predecessor's scheduler, who, she says, was great at her job. ""But I overheard hermaking an excuse for why I couldn't come to something, rather than just saying what the real reason was which was that I had to do something with my kids,"" Wasserman Schultz says. ""So I called her in... I called her in and I talked to her and I said listen, when we can't make something because I need to be a mother, then we need to be honest and share that."" Being upfront about the fact that she is both a mother and a congresswoman, Wasserman Schultz says, is important to her. ""So I said if we can't go because I've got something to do with my family, that's what we should tell them,"" she adds. ""And that's how I've always handled scheduling, just being very transparent that I won't shirk my responsibility as a parent, and I certainly won't shirk my responsibility as a member of Congress."" Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) ""During my time in Congress, I have certainly experienced instances of gender-based discrimination,"" McCollum says. ""From small things, like being directed toward the 'spouse' area instead of the 'Member of Congress' area, to bigger things, like being harassed by a colleague to the point where I had to roll up my newspaper and swat him away. These kinds of slights and unwanted advances are something that nearly every woman has had to deal with whether it be in the halls of Congress, working in an office, or just walking down the street."" But from McCollum's perspective, things are improving. ""We now have a historic number of women serving in Congress, and with that kind of representation comes a more inclusive environment and camaraderie between female legislators,"" she says. ""With all that has happened with the #MeToo movement, women all over the world are using their voices to combat sexism and promote equality in the workplace."" Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH) ""Looking back on my public service career, there are several instances I can recall where I faced unique challenges as a woman especially a woman of color,"" Beatty tells Bustle. ""The one experience that always comes to mind is when I was hosting my first 'big' meeting as director of Montgomery County's (OH) Department of Community Human Services."" Beatty says that she arrived early to set up the event and greet people as they arrived. ""As I welcomed my fellow executives all of whom were men one individual, assuming I was a member of the wait staff, instructed me how he 'took his coffee,'"" she says. ""A lot of things were swirling in my head at that moment, as you may imagine, but I ultimately decided to get him that cup of coffee. You can only imagine the look on his face when I then took the head seat and formally kicked off the planning meeting."" A lot has changed in the last three decades, Beatty adds, ""no better illustrated than in the makeup of the upcoming 116th Congress."" Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) ""During my second term in Congress, Congresswoman Pat Schroeder came over to me one late night on the House floor and said, 'We need a New York woman to get the women out of the basement,'"" Maloney tells Bustle. ""I had no idea what she was talking about, but that conversation would spur a exhausting fight to give some women the important recognition they deserved."" Maloney explains that the Portrait Monument, which is a statue of suffragists Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and Susan B. Anthony, had been placed in the Capitol basement for years. ""And so began a fight to move the statue to its rightful place, in the literal center of our nation's government,"" Maloney says. ""After hearing all of the excuses in the book as to why we couldn't move the statue, we finally got our resolution through, and then one more excuse was thrown at us; the statue was 'too ugly.' I couldn't believe my ears. Per usual, Rep. Schroeder, as sharp as tack, replied: 'Have you looked at Lincoln?'"" On Mother's Day of 1997, Maloney says, the Portrait Monument was placed in the Rotunda ""among other heroes for all those who visit the Capitol to see."" Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) ""When I first came to the Senate two years ago, it was clear that the office buildings were not built with women in mind women's restrooms were few and far between, they lacked changing tables for mothers, and infants were banned from the Senate floor,"" Cortez Masto says. ""Some may view these as minor inconveniences, but they represent the historic exclusion of women from American politics."" Being on the Senate Rules Committee, she adds, ""revealed instances of gender bias within the institution."" ""I've reviewed so many outdated Senate guidelines, most from a time when this institution had only one perspective that of white men,"" Cortez Masto says. ""It's been my privilege as the first Latina senator in U.S. history to bring my own unique perspective to this process and to be part of a generation of women lawmakers who are working hard to change the balance of power in Washington, not just by making changes to our office buildings, but by crafting policies that recognize the unique challenges and viewpoints of women across the country. I look forward to more women running for office, and I'm encouraged to see Congress slowly but surely reflecting the diversity of the people we serve."" Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) ""Coming in from a special election mid-year in 2012, my start in Congress was a whirlwind,"" Bonamici tells Bustle. ""From the very beginning I knew I wanted to empower other women, regardless of their stage in life."" Bonamici recalls that she hired awoman who recently gave birth as she was the most qualified person to be her district director. That person moved to Washington, D.C. with her baby. ""People in D.C. didn't know how to react and some questioned the decision, but we created an environment where my district director could bring her baby into work if needed,"" she says. ""I'm happy to report that we've kept that up."" ""We've had many senior meetings where a new mom was holding their baby,"" she adds. ""If a baby happens to cry it isn't a big deal it just blends with the other background noise of a bustling House office. When I talk with others in D.C. about what we do, I get the feedback that it doesn't seem possible to support new moms like this. But I have seen how it puts these great women in a better position to succeed, and allows us to benefit from their talents and expertise."" Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) ""Going up against the Old Boys Club has been a part of my experience in politics since my days running for the California Assembly,"" Chu says. ""But, thanks to the support of strong women like Hilda Solis, I won then. And I've taken that same fight against the glass ceiling to Washington, as well."" Chu says that she knew she wanted to be a member of the Ways and Means Committee when she first came to Congress in 2009. ""I had to fight my way to get onto this committee. In fact, it took eight long years, but it finally happened at the start of this Congress 2016 that I became one of the four Democratic women on the committee and the first Asian American woman to serve in history,"" she recalls. ""Unlike our male peers, it's not enough for us to aspire to be in leadership or powerful positions. We have to fight for it in ways they never had to."" Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-MA) ""When I first arrived in Washington after winning a special election in 2007, I was the first woman to be elected to Congress from Massachusetts in 25 years,"" Tsongas says. ""I often tell a story that when I went to the House floor for the first time to vote, it felt like going from the playing field to the locker room; the only thing missing was the snapping of towels."" At the time, Tsongas says that only about 15 percent of House members were women. ""As I've said time and again, women can't win elected office if women don't run,"" she says. ""When the 116th Congress is sworn in in January, over 100 women (over 25 percent in the House and nearly 25 percent in the Senate) will be serving in Congress for the first time in our history, including 4 women from Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren, Katherine Clark, Lori Trahan, and Ayanna Pressley. It is my hope that as more women run and win more women and girls will be encouraged to get involved in the process, changing our democracy for the better."" Rep.-elect Kendra Horn (D-OK) ""There are so many women in this class, it's changed the conversation,"" Horn, who will be sworn in to Congress in January with a record number of women, says. ""There's definitely heightened awareness and a sense that things will operate differently. It highlights the strength of women, but also historical inequities. Not only is it the largest class of women, it's diverse single moms, mothers of young children, working professionals it represents and reflects the contributions women make every day in a new way."" Rep.-elect Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL) ""My perspective coming in as a new member, I think, has been mostly from a mom's perspective,"" Mucarsel-Powell tells Bustle. She says that she has school-aged children, and that many of her fellow incoming freshman are also parents. When it comes to transitioning into her new role, she says, opportunities to include her family were important to her. ""The first week of orientation they did invite our spouses, and it really makes such a huge difference to take your kids with you through the process so that they understand what's about to happen,"" she says. ""It's a drastic change for a lot of us as moms. I've always been the hands-on mom that has been here for the kids, helping them with homework, picking them up from school, taking them to activities. It's going to be a very drastic change."" That's why she believes it's important to have a Congress that adapts to incoming members who have kids and not just moms, but dads, too. ""A lot of new members who are young dads, and that's changing also,"" she says. ""Men are more and more involved in their children's lives now and it's definitely a perspective that Congress is lacking. They're not really thinking of how to adapt to a changing Congress, which includes parents of young children."" Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) ""I was not well-known to leadership in my party or to many Members from my area when I first came into Congress, so establishing myself was a challenge,"" Napolitano tells Bustle. Thankfully, she says, she was ""embraced by a colleague from the other side of the aisle who represented a nearby district, former Rep. David Dreier, who welcomed me."" Napolitano describes her experience as one of a handful of women of color in Congress as ""overwhelming."" ""The assumption was, 'Who are you? What are you doing here? You don't have the brains to be here,'"" she recalls. ""I paid little attention to that, though. I came in with the expectation I was going to do my job. I was elected to represent my constituency, and that has always been my focus."" Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) Lee recalls moving to Washington with her two sons to work as a staffer for Rep. Ron Dellums. ""I was one of the only single mothers, and women of color, working in a senior staff position on the Hill. I had to work harder to prove myself,"" she says. ""I remember being ignored in meetings made up almost entirely of white men. But Congressman Dellums supported me and encouraged me to keep pushing forward."" ""Congress has gotten better but the problem still exists,"" she says. ""The House is a microcosm of our larger society racism and sexism are present in many forms."" Lee thinks the ""uphill battle"" she's experienced in Congress has a lot to do with the legislature not being ""fully representative of the American people we are elected to serve."" While there have been some changes (she points to a day care center for children of staff), she hopes that Congress will ""keep changing for the better."" Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH) ""Since I was elected to Congress in 2012, I've been heartened to see more and more opportunities for women in leadership,"" Kuster says. ""We've made important progress as a body in being more representative of the American population as a whole. We have a long way to go, but I'm excited about the many new voices joining our caucus who will continue to build on this progress."" Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) Rep. Jackie Speier tells Bustle that she thought the sexism she experienced in the California Legislature had prepared her for joining Congress. ""My experiences in the state legislature included missing an opportunity to pass a bill by one vote when I was pregnant,"" she says. ""I was trying to get to my Republican colleague who supported the bill to change his vote and got stuck between a desk and a barrel chair on the Assembly floor. I was very pregnant. I was also forced to wear a bulletproof vest and move my two young children into a hotel with a security detail when a man vowed to kill me for my legislation to hold deadbeat dads accountable for overdue child support and alimony payments."" Still, Speier says she was ""surprised to see the depth of misogyny that persisted in our federal government, particularly in the area of military sexual assault."" Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) Murray recalls that her first speech on the Senate floor was during a debate on the Family Medical Leave Act. ""I used a good portion of my time to share a story of a friend who was sick and would be impacted by the bill,"" she says. ""When I left the Senate floor, a male senator pulled me aside to let me know that telling personal stories wasn't supposed to happen on the Senate floor."" Her male colleague, she says, told her that was ""inappropriate,"" and that ""we were supposed to limit ourselves to serious debate about policy issues."" ""I told him that I thought he was absolutely wrong, that I was elected to be a voice for moms and to share the stories of ordinary families, and that I wasn't going to stop,"" she says. ""A few years later he actually apologized to me and told me that he realized how wrong he was and how important it is to highlight the real world impact of the policies we are debating."" Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL) Cheri Bustos has one word on the brain: ""shoes."" ""We wear heels. Men wear flats,"" she says. ""And walking all over the marble floors of Congress, it can be a real killer."" ""But in all sincerity,"" she tells Bustle, ""although it's been said 'If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog,' I have made some of my closest girlfriends since being elected to Congress. I am fortunate to have several very close friends that often get together over dinner to talk and share stories about not only our work, but our family and friends. It is without a doubt that having amazing friends out here has helped me overcome any challenges that have come my way."" Rep.-elect Katie Hill (D-CA) ""As women, we're used to our appearances being scrutinized,"" Hill says. ""But it wasn't until New Member Orientation that I realized, along with a lot of other newly elected women, that this culture continues, even when we're elected members of Congress."" Specifically, she points to stringent wardrobe requirements. But that, Hill says, is only part of the issue. ""Simply, the amount of time and energy it takes for women to be camera ready and 'appropriate' far surpasses what our male colleagues spend maintaining their appearance time that could be spent actually doing our jobs,"" she adds. Many of the changes that have made Congress more hospitable toward women were only possible because women fought for it. Given the influx of women heading to Washington in January, more growth and change may soon be on the horizon. But in order to sustain that progress, women in Congress will need to grow their numbers. And that, as ever, will require supporting and empowering women to run for public office. This article was originally published by Bustle on December 21, 2018.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-trumps-temper-tantrum-hurts-americans,Brown: Trump’s Temper Tantrum Hurts Americans,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senator: President's Actions Threaten Pay for Border Agents, Harm Farmers, Food Banks and Working Americans Friday, December 21, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) issued the following statement after the President went back on his word and irresponsibly reversed his support for a government funding measure that would keep the government open until February. Earlier this week, the White House indicated it would support a short-term spending measure to fund the government. On Wednesday, the Senate unanimously passed that clean funding measure, which Brown supported. President Trump then abruptly changed course, withdrew his support for the measure and now puts government funding in jeopardy. Earlier this month, President Trump said he would be proud' to shut down the government. While the Senate did its job and unanimously passed a bill to keep the government open, President Trump instead chose to throw a temper tantrum, said Brown. The President says he wants border security yet he's forcing border agents to work without pay over the holidays, he's harming farmers who need FSA offices and food banks that rely on USDA over the holidays, and he's hurting working Americans who expect elected leaders to do their jobs. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/icymi-president-signs-final-farm-bill-with-key-brown-provisions,ICYMI: President Signs Final Farm Bill with Key Brown Provisions,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Friday, December 21, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. In case you missed it, President Trump signed the final 2018 Farm Bill into law yesterday, which includes several provisions U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) fought to include. As a member of the committee tasked with reconciling the differences between the House and Senate versions of the 2018 Farm Bill, Brown fought for provisions that were important to Ohio farmers. Brown, the first Ohioan to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in more than 50 years, held roundtables around Ohio to hear from Ohio farmers and rural communities about what they wanted to see in the bill. Learn more about Brown's work and theAgriculture Improvement Act of 2018,here. Here's what Ohio Stakeholders are saying about Brown's work and the 2018 Farm Bill: Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association OEFFA is very pleased to see permanent, mandatory funding to support a next generation of farmers and programs that will increase access to healthy food choices, build strong communities, and create jobs, said Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) Policy Director Amalie Lipstreu. We truly appreciate Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown's hard work and leadership for farmers and all Ohioans. Ohio Farm Bureau Federation It is a big responsibility to help formulate policy to provide more food security for our communities and a strong safety net for our farm families. As a member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Sherrod Brown and his staff spent countless hours traveling our great state to hear directly from farmers and those impacted from farm policy. We applaud Senator Brown for listening to those concerns and then helping to lead the effort to implement an important Farm Bill that is crucial to our members and all Ohioans, said Frank Burkett III, President, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association The Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association commends Senator Brown and his congressional colleagues who took the time to listen to the needs of farmers and community members to craft a new, and overwhelmingly, bi-partisan Farm Bill. They have protected the farm safety-net, secured trade promotion programs, advanced environmental conservation efforts, and have boosted an expanding malting barley market all of which will advance Ohio's farm families for years to come, said Tadd Nicholson, Executive Director, Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association. Rural Action Rural Action wishes to thank Sen. Sherrod Brown for championing The Local Farms Act' in the 2018 Farm Bill. This provision creates the Local Agriculture Marketing Program which provides 50 million dollars in yearly funding to advance local food systems--essential to maintaining food access and supporting local economies. We also applaud the continuation of SNAP funding at current levels without the addition of work requirements. The SNAP program creates a needed safety net in Appalachian Ohio, and helps to spur local economic activity for grocery stores in low-income rural areas. In communities where up 20% of the population depends on food assistance this spending power helps to keep grocery stores open, allowing broader access to healthy food choices, said Debbie Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Rural Action. The Nature Conservancy in Ohio The new Farm Bill is a victory for the conservation, stewardship, and sustainable use of Ohio's farms and forests, said Bill Stanley, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy in Ohio. We applaud the efforts of Senator Sherrod Brown to establish bipartisan support for the new Clean Lakes, Estuaries, and Rivers (CLEAR) program which will bring much-needed attention and resources to address the water quality challenges in Lake Erie and encourage conservation on our vitally important agricultural lands. Ohio Dairy Producers Association Senator Brown has been a strong advocate for Ohio dairy farmers, first as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and now playing a key role in the final negotiations as a conferee on the Farm Bill. We are pleased that the final bill includes critical enhancements to the dairy safety net, making coverage more effective and more affordable for Ohio dairy farmers. The bill also contains important investments in land and water conservation, which are critical to continued improvements to Lake Erie and Ohio's water resources. We are grateful for Senator Brown's effective advocacy for these provisions of importance to Ohio's farmers and communities, and the many people who benefit from the nutrient rich foods made from milk, said Scott Higgins, CEO of the Ohio Dairy Producers Association. Ohio Association of Foodbanks So many Ohioans are so grateful to have a strong, bipartisan Farm Bill that protects nutrition programs in place as we turn the page to 2019. The 1.4 million Ohioans that receive SNAP are grateful for help feeding their families when limited incomes don't stretch far enough. Everyone along the food supply chain - from local farmers to local grocery stores - are grateful to know that 700,000 Ohio households can still afford to purchase their products. Our statewide hunger relief network is grateful because we know we could never make up the gap left by a weakened SNAP program. We applaud Congress for reaching this compromise, and especially thank the Senate Agriculture Committee, including Senator Brown, for leading the way, said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, Executive Director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. Central State University The passage of the H.R.2 Farm Bill is a monumental achievement that ensures support for many American constituencies, said Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond, President of Central State University. Through the continuous commitment and diligence of our Ohio bi-partisan congressional delegation, Central State University will be made whole as an 1890 Land Grant Institution. Representatives Beatty and Turner initiated support language and Senators Brown and Portman secured the amendment to stabilize funding for Central State and all 1890 Land Grants. This funding will allow CSU to be an agent of change in Ohio communities working with farmers and impacting positively the quality of life for Ohio citizens! Deeply appreciative to the Ohio Congressional delegates! They are Game Changers! ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/president-signs-bipartisan-criminal-justice-reform-bill-that-includes-reauthorization-of-browns-second-chance-act,President Signs Bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Bill That Includes Reauthorization of Brown’s Second Chance Act,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Bill Is Not a Complete Solution but Takes Important Steps toward Sentencing and Prison Reform Friday, December 21, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, President Trump signed the First Step Act, which includes reauthorization of provisions from Brown's 2008 Second Chance Act. Brown's bill expands federal grant programs that provide substance abuse treatment, housing, and employment assistance services for formerly incarcerated individuals to help them successfully re-enter their communities. Many of these programs have already been successful in Ohio, reducing recidivism and costs for state and local governments. The First Step Act will also make sentencing and prison reforms to the U.S. Criminal Justice System, including corrections to ensure no person is sitting in prison serving more time than what they would get for the same offense today, while also allowing judges some discretion to issue sentences below the mandatory minimums for qualified low-level, non-violent drug offenders. Additionally, the First Step Act makes critical investments to improve prison conditions, including providing feminine healthcare products. This bill is a good first step, but just a first step, said Brown. There is still more work to be done to fix the inequities in our justice system. Our criminal justice system should be tough, but fair. And it should work to help prepare people to reintegrate back into society. Enacted in 2008, the Second Chance Act has provided funding for programs that have proven to reduce recidivism, help former inmates reintegrate successfully into society, and save prison costs for states. In 2011, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Brown fought to reinstate funding for the Second Chance Act after it had been eliminated earlier in the federal appropriations process. Brown successfully negotiated with members of the Conference Committee, which resulted in a final funding level of $63 million for Second Chance programs. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/defense-secretary-james-mattis-resignation-stuns-concerns-lawmakers-he,"Defense Secretary James Mattis' resignation 'stuns,' concerns lawmakers: 'He will not be easy to replace'",2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Defense Secretary James Mattis gave President Trump his notice on Thursday a move that has given lawmakers across both sides of the aisle some cause for concern. In a signed resignation letter, which was released by the Pentagon, Mattis said he would remain in the role through Feb. 28, closing out a 2-year working relationship with Trump. The announcement came a day after Trump surprised U.S. allies and members of Congress by announcing the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Syria, and as he continues to consider shrinking the American deployment in Afghanistan. In a lengthy letter to the president, Mattis alluded to potential disagreements with Trump. In particular, Mattis said the U.S. should be cautious when communication with countries that are ""increasingly in tension with ours,"" citing Russia and China. ""It is clear that China and Russia, for example, want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model - gaining veto authority over other nations' economic, diplomatic, and security decisions - to promote their own interests at the expense of their neighbors, America and our allies. That is why we must use all the tools of American power to provide for the common defense,"" Mattis wrote, in part. In conclusion, Mattis said Trump had the right to work with a defense secretary ""whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects,"" adding that stepping down from his post is the ""right"" thing to do. News of Mattis' upcoming departure shocked some politicians, who scrambled to decipher the reasoning behind it. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., praised Mattis' work ethic, admitting ""he will not be easy to replace."" ""For the sake of our national security I hope his decision to resign was motivated solely by a desire to enjoy a well deserved retirement,"" he added in a tweet. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., called the announcement ""scary."" ""Secretary Mattis has been an island of stability amidst the chaos of the Trump administration. As we've seen with the President's haphazard approach to Syria, our national defense is too important to be subjected to the President's erratic whims,"" Warner wrote on Twitter, sharing a copy of Mattis' resignation letter. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, thanked Mattis for his lifetime of service, which, he said we've ""benefitted immensely"" from. ""As #SecDef, he has led efforts to rebuild our military, defeat #ISIS & keep the American people safe. He is a patriot and I thank him for his service,"" he said. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., said Mattis was truly an ""American hero."" After reading Mattis' letter to the president, Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., emphasized Mattis' words. ""In his resignation letter, Mattis wrote that Trump has the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on issues including 'treating allies with respect,'"" Beyer repeated, calling the letter a ""stunning rebuke."" Sen. Lindsey Graham, R- S.C., announced Mattis' departure in ""sadness"" Thursday, calling him one of the country's greatest military leaders. ""General Mattis is a combination of intellect and integrity. He has been in the fight against radical Islam for decades and provided sound and ethical military advice to President Trump. He is a role model for the concept of Duty, Honor, Country,"" Graham added. Graham recently blasted Trump for his decision to pull troops out of Syria, calling it an ""Obama-like decision."" In return, Trump fired back at the politician who has voiced his support for the administration in the past in a tweet, saying it was difficult to understand why Graham would be against saving countless lives. ""So hard to believe that Lindsey Graham would be against saving soldier lives & billions of $$$. Why are we fighting for our enemy, Syria, by staying & killing ISIS for them, Russia, Iran & other locals? Time to focus on our Country & bring our youth back home where they belong!"" Trump tweeted. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, suggested it was ""safe to assume"" Mattis disagrees with Trump's withdrawal of troops from Syria. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, credited Mattis for rebuilding the nation's military and his commitment to making the world safer. ""Our military has been rebuilt under Secretary Mattis's leadership. He has been a strong partner in working with Congress as a force of reason to robustly support our troops in grave and perilous times,"" Turner tweeted. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., used the announcement to fire at Trump. ""Old Marines never die, but they do resign after the President ignores their advice, betrays our allies, rewards our enemies, and puts the nation's security at risk. Turn out the lights when Mattis leaves; we will not see his like again while Trump remains in office,"" he tweeted, sharing Trump's tweet announcing Mattis' departure. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., pointed to potential fallout from Mattis stepping down. ""Just imagine the morale crisis at the Department of Defense right now, having sustained the 1-2 punch of the Syria reversal and Mattis resignation. Devastating,"" he wrote. Murphy also called it a ""security crisis."" Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said Congress is ""indebted"" to Mattis for his service. ""With our country's defense in his hands, we have become a safer America at home, and a more commanding force abroad. His patriotism and grit are matched only by his humility and graciousness,"" Ryan tweeted. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in a statement said he thinks its critical for the country to ""maintain and strengthen the post-World War II alliances,"" while also acknowledging who our ""friends and foes"" are, adding that Russia is ""among the latter."" So I was sorry to learn that Secretary Mattis, who shares those clear principles, will soon depart the administration. But I am particularly distressed that he is resigning due to sharp differences with the president on these and other key aspects of America's global leadership,"" McConnell said. He went on to encourage the president to choose a replacement ""who shares Secretary Mattis's understanding of these vital principles and his total commitment to America's servicemembers."" House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi described Mattis as being ""a comfort"" to those who were worried ""about the path the Trump Admin would choose to take."" ""His resignation letter is defined by statements of principle principles that drove him to leave the Administration,"" she tweeted. ""All of us should be concerned at this time."" Former Vice President Joe Biden said on Twitter that while he and Mattis have had different opinions in the past, they always agreed ""that respect for our allies and a commitment to the most important and effective alliances in history made America safer."" ""It is clear this administration has abandoned those core American beliefs,"" he continued. ""Secretary Mattis' presence and his voice of reason and experience will be missed in the Pentagon and the Situation Room."" Trump said Thursday that Mattis' replacement ""would be named shortly."" ""During Jim's tenure, tremendous progress has been made, especially with respect to the purchase of new fighting equipment,"" Trump tweeted. ""General Mattis was a great help to me in getting allies and other countries to pay their share of military obligations. A new Secretary of Defense will be named shortly. I greatly thank Jim for his service!"" This article was originally published by Fox News on December 20, 2018.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=1976,House Democrats Introduce Bill To Stop Research Agency Reorganization and Relocation,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Marcia Fudge,F000455,fudge.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Democrats Introduce Bill To Stop Research Agency Reorganization and Relocation WASHINGTON - Today Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH) joined Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and Mark Pocan (D-WI) in introducing the Agriculture Research Integrity Act. The bill blocks the reorganization and relocation of federal agriculture research agencies. USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue has proposed moving the National Institutes of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and Economic Research Service (ERS) out of the Washington, D.C., area, in addition to shifting authority of ERS from the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics to the Office of the Secretary. HR 7330, the Agriculture Research Integrity Act (ARIA), would both require the USDA to keep the agencies within the capital area and keep ERS within the purview of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics so it can remain free of politicization.Bill text is available here. In the face of rising economic and environmental challenges the nation must be able to rely on sound, objective agricultural research to address these concerns, said Congresswoman Fudge. Keeping both agencies in place and the Economic Research Service free from political influence will ensure just that. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Economic Research Service are already doing great work to support American farmers and consumers right where they are. Uprooting these key agencies is absolutely unnecessary and risks weakening them when our nation's food system and agricultural economy need them most, Congresswoman Pingree said. My colleagues and I have repeatedly sent this message to the Secretary. Since he's forging ahead regardless of our feedbackor the concerns of the nation's agriculture research scientiststhis bill is a necessary step. All Democratic members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture have signed onto the billReps. Bishop, DeLauro, Pingree, and Pocanas well as House Agriculture Committee members Reps. Fudge, Kuster, McGovern, and Panetta. Reps. Hoyer and Norton represent constituents in the capital area. I am pleased to join my colleagues in introducing legislation that would ensure the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Economic Research Service can continue to effectively carry out their vital research missions, said Congressman Bishop. NIFA and ERS work closely with research institutions around the country and collaborate with numerous other federal agencies in the Washington, D.C. area. Abruptly relocating these agencies and politicizing their leadership will disrupt the important work they are doing, and could cause an unnecessary loss in valuable expertise through staffing losses. None of this would be helpful at a time when our farmers are facing retaliatory tariffs and years of declining commodity prices. The proposal to move the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture is yet another attack on science by the Trump Administration, said Congresswoman DeLauro. For years, both agencies have been invaluable resources on research and support for the food and agricultural community. This shocking proposed moveincluding the sham application process for the relocation of ERS and NIFAthreatens to politicize these agencies and undermines their ability to carry out their important missions. Congress must step up and pass this bill to prevent the Trump Administration from evading Congressional oversight authority. The Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture generate vital information that assists farmers across America, said Congressman McGovern (D-MA). It's deeply concerning to me that the Department of Agriculture's proposed restructuring and relocation of these agencies could have a dramatic impact on their effectivenessand appears to overstep the authority granted to the USDA by Congress. The proposed relocation of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture is unnecessary and could disrupt the critical research and program development that is currently taking place, said Rep. Kuster. This attempt to downsize the important role of NIFA and the Economic Research Service will hamstring our nation's ability to conduct cutting-edge research at a time when American agriculture must accelerate productivity. The Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture provide producers, policymakers, and academic institutions valuable data and programmatic support, said Congressman Panetta. Plans to dislocate them from key federal partners is a disservice to those requiring timely, impartial information. The Administration should strengthen budgets and address staffing shortages within these agencies, not force disruptive relocations and reorganizations. Relocating the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture would be extremely disruptive to the mission of the USDA and impact hundreds of federal employees, said Congressman Hoyer. I join in thanking Congresswoman Pingree for introducing this important legislation. The Trump administration's proposal to reorganize and relocate two USDA agencies would threaten their independence and hinder their mission to provide critical research, said Congresswoman Norton. The Trump administration bypassed normal procedures and ignored required considerations when announcing these moves. These agencies should stay in the National Capital Region, where they belong, so federal researchers can continue to do their jobs. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=1977,Congresswoman Fudge Statement on USDA's Proposed Rule on SNAP: Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Marcia Fudge,F000455,fudge.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Fudge Statement on USDA's Proposed Rule on SNAP: Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents WASHINGTON Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service published the proposed rule Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents: It is clear this Administration is trying to enact a policy that directly contradicts the will of Congress. The House and Senate worked in good faith and in a bipartisan manner to pass a Farm Bill that works for everyone. Now the administration is trying to circumvent the law of the land in cruel, deceitful, and underhanded ways to target the poor. The Administration couldn't get policies denying food assistance in the Farm Bill. So they are pursuing these harmful changes on their own, contrary to the will of the elected Congress. This isn't about helping hard working men and women find employment. This is about taking food away from people struggling to find steady, good paying jobs and feeding their families. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-passage-landmark-criminal-justice-reform,Congressman Tim Ryan on the Passage of Landmark Criminal Justice Reform,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) released the following statement on the passage of the FIRST STEP Act. Congressman Ryan voted in favor of the bill, which will make some needed sentencing and prison reforms to the federal prison system. The legislation creates a system of incentives to encourage prisoners to participate in recidivism reduction programs, bans the shackling of pregnant women, requires prisoners to be placed in facilities within 500 miles of home, and gives judges some discretion to issue sentences below the mandatory minimum for low-level, non-violent drug offenders. As the name suggests, this legislation is just the first step in what absolutely must be a broad, deliberate, and comprehensive approach to reforming how criminal justice is handled in the United States. For too long our justice system has disproportionately targeted people of color and trapped low-income Americans into a cycle of debt and incarceration. Unrigging this system will take time, but we must fight every day to ensure it takes as little time as possible. Fair and impartial justice is a moral imperative and the great unfinished work of achieving full civil rights for every citizen. I was proud to vote in favor of this legislation today to advance the cause of justice, said Congressman Ryan.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-slams-trump-administration-proposal-to-pull-rug-out-from-under-hungry-ohioans,Brown Slams Trump Administration Proposal to Pull Rug Out From Under Hungry Ohioans,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Proposal Would Force Ohioans to Jump through Bureaucratic Hoops to Put Food on the Table Thursday, December 20, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) issued the following statement in response to a new Trump Administration proposal that punishes Ohioans who live in areas of high unemployment or who aren't paid enough for their work by making it harder for them to put food on the table. Congress recently passed a Farm Bill that helps feed families across Ohio, protects working families in need and made commonsense reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Administration's proposal directly contradicts Congress and the SNAP protections lawmakers included in the 2018 Farm Bill. It's despicable that President Trump would pull the rug out from under hungry Americans right before the holidays even after Congress made clear in the Farm Bill that these families shouldn't be forced to jump through additional bureaucratic hoops to put food on the table, said Brown, a conferee on the 2018 Farm Bill conference committee. If President Trump really wants to save taxpayer money, he should roll back the giveaways to Wall Street and millionaires in his tax law. Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new proposal that would put stricter limitations on states' abilities to administer the SNAP program and creates more bureaucratic hoops for Ohioans to jump through to feed themselves. In the Farm Bill, set to be signed into law, Brown secured provisions thatprotectsSNAP for hungry families in Ohio, while protecting families in need. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/president-signs-final-farm-bill-with-key-brown-provisions-,President Signs Final Farm Bill with Key Brown Provisions,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Brown Fought to Secure Several Ohio-Specific Provisions in Bipartisan Bill after Meeting with Ohio Farmers and Stakeholders around the State Thursday, December 20, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, President Trump signed the final 2018 Farm Bill into law, which includes several provisions U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) fought to include. As a member of the committee tasked with reconciling the differences between the House and Senate versions of the 2018 Farm Bill, Brown fought for provisions that were important to Ohio farmers. Brown, the first Ohioan to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in more than 50 years, held roundtables around Ohio to hear from Ohio farmers and rural communities about what they wanted to see in the bill. At the beginning of the year, I pledged to get the Farm Bill done, so that we could provide Ohio farmers with the certainty they deserve, said Brown. And I'm proud that this bipartisan bill will do that. We secured important wins for Ohio dairy farmers, as well as soybean and corn farmers. This final bill protects funding for critical nutrition programs that feed Ohio families, makes historic investments in local foods, and continues to invest in programs to improve water quality in Lake Erie and across the state. Brown worked to include several Ohio priorities in the 2018 Farm Bill, including: After passing a Farm Bill that helps feed families across Ohio, Brown today slammed a new Trump Administration proposal that punishes Ohioans who live in areas of high unemployment or who aren't paid enough for their work by making it harder for them to put food on the table. The Administration's proposal directly contradicts Congress and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) protections lawmakers included in the 2018 Farm Bill. Brown will keep working to support farmers, protect Ohio water quality, and feed Ohio families. Learn more about Brown's work and the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/beatty-blasts-ruling-on-republican-lawsuit-against-insuring-pre-existing,Beatty Blasts Ruling on Republican Lawsuit Against Insuring Pre-Existing Conditions and the Affordable Care Act,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Over the weekend, a federal judge in the Northern District of Texas struck down the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA), ruling that the ACA's individual mandate is unconstitutional, and the entire law cannot stand without it. The decision, handed down by George W. Bush-appointee Judge Reed O'Connor, was a result of a lawsuit filed this year by a group of Republican governors and state attorneys generalwith the support of President Trump and his administration. Reacting to the decision, Trump said it was a great ruling for our country, despite the fact that the healthcare of 20 million newly-insured Americans and 129 million individuals with pre-existing conditions is at risk as a result. For more than seven years, Congressional Republicans fought tooth and nail to dismantle and destroy the ACA. Now, they finally got their wish, at the expense of millions of Americans, hardworking families, individuals with pre-existing conditions, and young adults under the age of 26, Beatty said. However, all hope is not lost. Beatty continued, This short-sighted and misguided decision will be appealed, and House Democrats will move swiftly to uphold life-saving protections for those with pre-existing conditions, as well as strengthen the ACA, even more when we assume the majority in the House for the 116th Congress. Democratic defendants have indicated that they will appeal the ruling in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans. Ultimately, the lawsuit may end up before the Supreme Court for a final decision.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-joyce-bonamici-and-mast-lead-bipartisan-group-letter-trump-budget,"Kaptur, Joyce, Bonamici and Mast lead bipartisan group in letter to Trump budget office on Harmful Algal Blooms",2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14), Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) wrote a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney urging the Trump Administration to fully fund all programs related to addressing harmful algal blooms in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2020 budget. We write to respectfully request that you allocate robust funding in the President's Fiscal Year 2020 budget request for programs that address a widespread and ever-increasing problem: toxic algal blooms, also called harmful algal blooms (HABs), the Members wrote. Toxic algae affect marine, coastal, estuarine, and freshwater systems in all 50 states and all U.S. territories. A strong investment in programs that address toxic algae will help protect economic activity, the health of millions of Americans, and our environment. The letter was signed by a bipartisan group of 61 members. To make the necessary progress toward understanding and addressing the significant and expanding threats that toxic algae pose to human health and our national economy, we ask that you prioritize a strong and coordinated federal response in this year's budget request by including robust funding to support multi-investigator research programs for HAB-related work, the Members concluded. Read the entire letter here: 12.15.18 FY20 Harmful Algal Bloom funding ltr to OMB.pdf ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-statement-continuing-resolution-temporarily-fund-government,Kaptur statement on continuing resolution to temporarily fund government agencies,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Dean of the Ohio Delegation and senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on news that Republican leadership in the Senate would move forward with a continuing resolution that would provide short-term funding to nine cabinet agencies and several smaller departments through February 8, 2019. In the final stretch, with both parties and both chambers of Congress within striking distance of an agreement that would provide long-term stability to the remaining unfunded government agencies, the Republican Majority has decided to shirk its responsibilities again, said Kaptur. Funding the government is one of Congress's primary responsibilities and instead of abdicating this responsibility with a stop-gap measure that stretches the calendar out and kicks the can down the road, Congress should do its job for the American people. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/multimedia/watch/brown-honors-congresswoman-marcia-fudge-for-10-years-of-service,Brown Honors Congresswoman Marcia Fudge for 10 Years of Service,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-vows-to-fight-for-ohioans-whose-healthcare-is-threatened-,Brown Vows to Fight for Ohioans Whose Healthcare is Threatened,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Following Texas Ruling Threating Health Insurance Coverage for Millions, Brown Continues to Fight for Healthcare Protections Wednesday, December 19, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today,U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown(D-OH) hosted a news conference call as he continues fighting to protect healthcare coverage for thousands of Ohioans, following a ruling by a Texas judge that threatens to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The judge issued his ruling after Republicans slipped a provision into their tax legislation last year that opened the door to repealing the law. Brown has laid out what's at stake if this dangerous decision is upheld including pre-existing condition protections, Medicaid expansion, and a ban on annual and lifetime coverage limits. All the efforts to take away these protections have failed before, because Americans fought back, and shared their stories, said Brown. Those are the stories that have allowed us to fight every single partisan attempt to take away Ohioans' health care. And it's those stories that we need to hear again. Brown was joined on the call by John Corlett, President and Executive Director of the Center for Community Solutions in Cleveland. Judge Reed O'Connor's ruling shows a sweeping disregard for the damage his decision would do to Americans, and specifically Ohioans, by invalidating the Medicaid expansion that currently provides health care coverage for approximately 640,000 people in our state. Expansion cut Ohio's uninsured rate in half. O'Connor's decision would reverse that progress overnight, and would disproportionately hurt both rural areas and urban communities in Ohio, said Corlett. Brown is encouraging Ohioans to speak out and share their stories of what losing healthcare coverage would mean for their families. Ohioans can share their stories by visiting Brown's website HERE. In 2017, Brown joined Ohioans in beating back Congressional efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Brown joined Ohio patients and patient advocates in cities around Ohio to underscore the importance of the Affordable Care Act. Brown has called for Republicans and Democrats to work together following failed efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, repeal would have raised premiums and kicked millions of Americans off of their insurance. Brown has also offered legislation to make improvements to the Affordable Care Act by adding a public option to the individual marketplaces so all consumers can access an affordable plan no matter where they live, while adding competition and lowering costs. He also introduced a package of proposals to bring down the skyrocketing price of prescription drugs, one of the majorcost drivers in the healthcare system, including a bill to crack down on pharmaceutical companies who spike prices overnight. Brown's proposals have been called, just about every policy idea drug lobbyists hate. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/president-signs-brown-bipartisan-bill-to-expand-maternal-care-in-underserved-rural-communities-,"President Signs Brown Bipartisan Bill to Expand Maternal Care in Underserved, Rural Communities",2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Brown's Bill Would Identify Areas Lacking Maternal Health Professionals, While Providing Incentives for Providers to Practice in Those Areas; Brown's Bill Signed into Law After Recent Report Finds Number of Black Infant Deaths Continues to Rise in Ohio Wednesday, December 19, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. This week, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown's(D-OH) bill to expand maternal care in underserved and rural communities was signed into law. Brown's bill, the Improving Access to Maternity Care Act, will work to identify areas lacking maternal health care professionals and provide incentives for providers practicing in those areas, to help ensure women have access to timely, high-quality maternity care. Brown's bill becomes law after a recent Ohio Department of Health report found the number of black infant deaths continued to rise last year. The Improving Access to Maternity Care Act is also sponsored by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and endorsed by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), the March of Dimes, and the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). Healthy pregnancies lead to healthy babies, and no mother-to-be should go without the care she needs, said Brown. This bill will allow us to target maternity care resources where they're most needed, and help ensure healthier pregnancies, healthier mothers, and healthier babies. The Improving Access to Maternity Care Act directs the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to identify and designate maternity care shortage areas so that the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) can then assign maternity care professionals to those areas. Ob-gyns are currently recognized under the primary care shortage designation, which fails to adequately address shortages in maternity care. According to ACOG, babies born to mothers who received no prenatal care are three times more likely to be low birth weight, and five times more likely to die than babies whose mothers received care. Ohio is ranked among some of the worst in the nation for African American infant mortality. In 2017, 982 black infants died before their first birthday. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senate-passes-bipartisan-criminal-justice-reform-bill-that-includes-reauthorization-of-browns-second-chance-act,Senate Passes Bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Bill that Includes Reauthorization of Brown’s Second Chance Act,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Bill Is Not a Complete Solution but Takes Important Steps toward Sentencing and Prison Reform; The Bill Is Set for Final House Passage, Then Heads to President's Desk to Be Signed into Law Wednesday, December 19, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) applauded the Senate passage of the First Step Act, which includes provisions from Brown's 2008 Second Chance Act. Brown's bill expands federal grant programs that provide substance abuse treatment, housing, and employment assistance services for formerly incarcerated individuals to help them successfully re-enter their communities. Many of these programs have already been successful in Ohio, reducing recidivism and costs for state and local governments. The First Step Act will also make modest sentencing and prison reforms to the U.S. Criminal Justice System, including corrections to ensure no person is sitting in prison serving more time than what they would get for the same offense today, while also allowing judges some discretion to issue sentences below the mandatory minimums for qualified low-level, non-violent drug offenders. The bill is expected to pass the House, then head to the President's desk for final signature. Additionally, the First Step Act makes critical investments to improve prison conditions, including providing feminine healthcare products. This bill is a good first step, but just a first step, said Brown. There is still more work to be done to fix the inequities in our justice system. Our criminal justice system should be tough, but fair. And it should work to help prepare people to reintegrate back into society. Enacted in 2008, the Second Chance Act has provided funding for programs that have proven to reduce recidivism, help former inmates reintegrate successfully into society, and save prison costs for states. In 2011, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Brown fought to reinstate funding for the Second Chance Act after it had been eliminated earlier in the federal appropriations process. Brown successfully negotiated with members of the Conference Committee, which resulted in a final funding level of $63 million for Second Chance programs. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/reps-beatty-balderson-split-on-possible-impeachment-of-pres-trump,"Reps. Beatty, Balderson split on possible impeachment of Pres. Trump following Cohen sentencing",2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"President Donald Trump's long-time attorney and fixer, Michael Cohen, found out last week that he will spend three years in jail after admitting to campaign finance violations and lying to Congress. Cohen admitted to paying two women for their silence about alleged affairs with Trump. He said he made the payments to influence the election and protect then-candidate Trump, and court filings indicate Trump himself was part of the cover-up. NBC4's Colleen Marshall spoke with central Ohio Congress members Joyce Beatty (D) and Troy Balderson (R) about a possible impeachment of the president. Beatty said she and her colleagues want oversight and investigation and that she is absolutely convinced a crime was committed. We want justice, we want fairness, but most importantly we want the American people to know what happened and that we're going to bring resolve to it, she said. When you look at the things that have happened now, we have witnesses, people who are related to the president, work for the president and they're all now saying that either they lied or they withheld information. And yes, a crime has been committed. For his part, Balderson said there is not enough information right now to discuss impeachment. I don't want to speculate on something I have no idea what's being investigated yet for sure, he said. We are aware of some of the things out there, but for me I want to make sure what I'm doing and what I'm going to be voting for before I would do anything. This article was originally published by NBC4 on December 18, 2018.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/-president-signs-brown-portman-bill-honoring-baseball-legend-and-civil-rights-pioneer-larry-doby-with-congressional-gold-medal-,"President Signs Brown, Portman Bill Honoring Baseball Legend and Civil Rights Pioneer Larry Doby with Congressional Gold Medal",2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Doby Was the First African-American to Play in the American League, Effectively Integrating All of Professional Baseball Tuesday, December 18, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Yesterday, President Trump signed into law U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman's (R-OH) bill honoring Larry Doby, the first African-American to play in the American League, with the Congressional Gold Medal for his career and contributions to the American civil rights movement. Last week, the bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent. In joining the American League, Doby effectively integrated all of professional baseball. Larry Doby seldom receives credit for his role in integrating all of professional baseball and its past time to honor his contributions to both civil rights and America's game, said Brown, who displays in his Washington, D.C. office a replica of the statue of Doby that stands at Progressive Field. Doby's heroism surpasses his remarkable skill he overcame discrimination and hostility to break barriers, leading Cleveland to victory and moving our country in the right direction."" As the first African American player in the American League, Larry Doby broke down barriers with his remarkable skill and competitive spirit and forever changed the game of baseball, said Portman. Through sheer determination, Doby became a symbol for the fight for equality in our country and encouraged thousands of Ohioans and kids across our country to push the boundaries of what they thought possible. I'd like to thank my colleagues in the Senate for their work to make this happen and especially my colleague Jim Renacci for his leadership to get this bill done in the House. Lawrence Eugene Larry Doby joined the Cleveland Indians in July 1947, becoming the first African-American to play in the American League. During his 13-year career in the American League, Doby tallied 1,533 games, batting .283, with 253 home runs and 970 runs batted in. He played in two World Series, leading the 1948 Cleveland Indians to a World Championship over the Boston Braves. He was the first African-American player to hit a home run in a World Series game, led the American League in home runs twice, and was voted to seven All-Star teams. In 1978, the Chicago White Sox hired Doby as their manager and he became the second African-American manager in Major League history. He later served as Director of Community Relations for the New Jersey Nets of the National Basketball Association. He was inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2013. Doby was born in Camden, South Carolina in 1923 and moved to Paterson, New Jersey in 1938, where he became a standout athlete at Paterson Eastside High School. He attended Long Island University on a basketball scholarship before enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was discharged in 1946 and went on to play baseball in the Negro National League for the Newark Eagles. Doby passed away in 2003. Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum support the bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-congratulates-limas-jsmc-on-announcement-of-new-tank-prototype-production-,Brown Congratulates Lima’s JSMC on Announcement of New Tank Prototype Production,2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senator Has Worked to Secure Investment in JSMC, Championed Importance of JSMC Plant to Top Defense Officials Tuesday, December 18, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) applauded the announcement that the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Lima will develop a new prototype Mobile Protected Firepower (MFP) tank. JSMC's workforce will help assemble a portion of the MFP prototypes as well as turret structures for the tank. The Army will select a final prototype for the MFP tank in fiscal year 2022 after demonstration and evaluation. Today's announcement is good news for workers at the JSMC plant and the Lima community, said Brown. JSMC workers have proven they are more than up to the task of producing the best quality products that keep our troops and our country safe. Brown has worked to secure investment in JSMC Lima, including more than $1.79 billion to protect critical manufacturing jobs at Lima's Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in the FY 2019 defense appropriations bill. Brown previously fought tosecure program authorizationin theNational Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and then fought toinclude funding in the defense committee bill.The final bill included $265.2 million to continue Stryker vehicle upgrades, and more than $1.5 billion for upgrades to the Abrams Tanks. In March 2017, Brown met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis to highlight the importance of continued funding for the Abrams Tank and the Stryker Vehicle. In May 2017, Brown wrote to his Senate Armed Services and Appropriations Committee colleagues to support inclusion of the Abrams Tank and Stryker Vehicle in both the NDAA and the Defense Appropriations bill. In October 2016, Brown and U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) brought Under Secretary of the Army Patrick J. Murphy to Lima for a tour of the JSMC. Brown and Portman have been longtime champions of the JSMC and have worked over the years with the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) leadership to promote the work done in Lima. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/browns-bipartisan-bill-to-help-victims-of-human-trafficking-headed-to-presidents-desk,Brown’s Bipartisan Bill to Help Victims of Human Trafficking Headed to President’s Desk,2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Bill Includes Senator's Provision to Create Human Trafficking Coordinator in Federal Judicial Districts Nationwide Tuesday, December 18, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. The House and Senate have both passed U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown's (D-OH) bill to support survivors of human trafficking, which is now headed to the President's desk to be signed into law. Brown's bill will also help local, state, and national law enforcement on the front lines of the fight against human trafficking. We've seen the devastating effects that human trafficking has on communities in Ohio and across the country,said Sen. Brown.We must do more to protect Ohioans from the most heinous of crimes and to provide justice, restitution, and healing for trafficking survivors. The Abolish Human Trafficking Act includes a provision based on a bill Brown introduced earlier this year that would create aHuman Trafficking Coordinatorin each of the country's federal judicial districts and a National Human Trafficking Coordinator at the Department of Justice to help the Department better coordinate its efforts to prevent and prosecute human trafficking cases. This would help improve public outreach to raise awareness of human trafficking; ensure that data on human trafficking is properly collected; and collect restitution for survivors. The bill would also enhance and expand theJustice for Victims of Trafficking Act, a 2015 law that increased the resources and tools available for combatting human trafficking in the United States.The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Actensures that American law enforcement is equipped to fight this crime, while helping victims rebuild their lives by using fines and penalties against their exploiters to fund restorative services and compensation. Brown's Abolish Human Trafficking Act would: Support funding for victims' services and law enforcement:The bill extendsthe life of DOJ's Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund, which is financed through fines on convicted human traffickers and sexual predators, and through an annual allotment from the Community Health Centers Fund. The DOJ fund was used to provide nearly $5 million to victims' services last year. Authorize key Trafficking Victims Protection Act programs.These programs are used to fund restorative services for victims and law enforcement anti-trafficking operations. Empower victims in the fight against trafficking:The bill authorizes the Human Trafficking Advisory Council, through which human trafficking survivors make annual recommendations to combat and prevent this crime.The legislation also requires mandatory restitution for victims of commercial sexual exploitation offenses. Help law enforcement fight human traffickers:The bill gives law enforcement additional tools and resources to target criminal street gangs involved in organized human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Increase awareness and prevention:The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to develop specialized screening protocols for implementation across federal, state, and local law enforcement anti-trafficking task forces to ensure agencies nationwide are trained to recognize victims and refer them to services instead of arresting or prosecuting them.It also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to continue a pilot program to provide training to health care providers on human trafficking. Enhance reporting on human trafficking crimes:The legislation ensures that regular reporting on the number of human trafficking crimes is separated from reports on the particular form of the offense for the use of the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program and requires the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking to provide an annual report on the use of data received from the national human trafficking hotline.It also requires the National Institute of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct a landmark study on the long-term physical and psychological effects of the commercial sex trade. The Abolish Human Trafficking Act is also sponsored by U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/portman-brown-fox-business-op-ed-gm-dont-walk-out-on-lordstown-,"Portman-Brown Fox Business Op-Ed: “GM, Don’t Walk Out On Lordstown”",2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Tuesday, December 18, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) penned an op-ed in Fox Business calling on General Motors to change course on its decision to shut down production at its Lordstown plant, which just this year was ranked by J.D. Power as the GM's best plant in the United States, Canada, and Mexico for quality. The senators have continually urged GM to invest in this highly-productive facility rather than shutter its doors. Brown and Portmanmet with GM CEO Marry Barratwo weeks ago to press her to reconsider shutting down the plant and instead bring new production to Lordstown, and they sent a letter to GM last week demanding answers on the potential job and supply chain impacts should GM decide to pursue its disastrous decision to close the plant. In the op-ed, Portman and Brown wrote: We want answers, but the people of Lordstown deserve more than that. They deserve the opportunity to once again show what they can do. They deserve the chance to continue making cars in the community many of them have called home for their entire lives, and to be treated with the respect and dignity they have earned through the region's decades-long commitment to GM. Excerpts of the op-ed can be found below and the full op-ed can be found at thislink. GM, Don't Walk out on Lordstown By Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown Fox Business December 18, 2018 Ohio has stood by General Motors. Now General Motors needs to stand by Ohio. As Ohio's senators, we know that our autoworkers are some of the best in the world. And if you love this country, you fight for the people who make it workpeople like the workers at Lordstown. The first GM cars rolled off the assembly lines at Lordstown more than 50 years ago. Since that time, GM has become ingrained in the Mahoning Valley, where the resiliency of the workforce is as strong as the steel the region is known for. From bull market through the Great Recession, Lordstown has stood by GM. Now GM, Trumbull County's single largest employer, is about to walk out on Lordstown. That would be a huge mistake and the wrong decision for GM. Just this year, J.D. Power ranked the Lordstown plant as GM's best plant in the United States, Canada and Mexico for quality. That's a testament to the hard work and dedication of these world-class employees. That's what we recently met to discuss with GM CEO Mary Barra in Washington, D.C. We had a very candid discussion where, among other things, we urged her to bring a new product or other products to the plant. In the end, Mary Barra said that while she doesn't want to raise expectations, she will keep an open mind about the future of the plant. We remain frustrated with GM's handling of this decision and disappointed with how the hardworking employees, who by sweat and toil have made GM what it is today, have been treated throughout this process. We want answers, but the people of Lordstown deserve more than that. They deserve the opportunity to once again show what they can do. They deserve the chance to continue making cars in the community many of them have called home for their entire lives, and to be treated with the respect and dignity they have earned through the region's decades-long commitment to GM. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-tim-ryan-d-oh-and-derek-kilmer-d-wa-place-friendly-bet-rose-bowl-game,Reps. Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) Place Friendly Bet on Rose Bowl Game,2018-12-17,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Representatives Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) today made a friendly wager on the 2019 Rose Bowl Game: The Ohio State University Buckeyes vs The University of Washington Huskies. If the Huskies win, Ryan agreed to give Kilmer Buckeyes from Gorant Chocolatier and gourmet popcorn from Metropolis Popcorn; and, if The Ohio State University wins the game, Kilmer agreed to give Ryan candy apples from Amy's Decadent Chocolate, Almond Roca, and smoked salmon. I have no doubt that we will see The Ohio State Buckeyes claim victory over the Washington Huskies in the 2019 Rose Bowl. The Big Ten Champion Buckeyes have been firing on all cylinders and is being led by one of Ohio State's most talented quarterbacks, Dwayne Haskins a Heisman finalist who has led the country in both passing yards and touchdown passes. We will be starting the New Year with a W' and some Washington candy apples, Almond Roca, and smoked salmon to top it all off, said Congressman Ryan. The forecast in Ohio's 13th Congressional District is calling for Purple Reign, Congressman Kilmer said. Myles Gaskin and Jake Browning are an unstoppable combo. And, Ohio State's offenses no match for the nation's leading tackler Ben Burr-Kirven and the stout Husky defense. I'm looking forward to eating some buckeyes after the Huskies beat Ohio State. Go Dawgs. This matchup will be the first time in the College Football Playoff era that the Rose Bowl has its traditional matchup, the Pac-12 champion against the Big Ten champion.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-1890-land-grant-hbcu-presidents-applaud-historic-investments-in-2018-farm-bill-,"Brown, 1890 Land-Grant HBCU Presidents Applaud Historic Investments in 2018 Farm Bill",2018-12-17,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Farm Bill Includes Several Wins Brown Secured for 1890 Land-Grant Institutions; Bill is Headed to President's Desk for Final Signature Monday, December 17, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and a number of Presidents from Historically Black Land-Grant Institutions founded in 1890 (1890s) applauded investments secured in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, more commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill. As a member of the conference committee tasked with reconciling the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, Brown authored and fought to secure investments that will ensure the 1890s can expand their research capacity and outreachin the coming years. 1890 Land-Grant HBCUs have fostered generations of African American students, farmers, and scientists who would have otherwise been denied opportunities due to segregation, said Brown. The key investments we made in this Farm Bill will ensure these institutions, that have anchored our communities for years, can continue training the next generation of leaders in agriculture. The passage of the H.R.2 Farm Bill is a monumental achievement that ensures support for many American constituencies, said Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond, President of Central State University. Through the continuous commitment and diligence of our Ohio bi-partisan congressional delegation, Central State University will be made whole as an 1890 Land Grant Institution. Representatives Beatty and Turner initiated support language and Senators Brown and Portman secured the amendment to stabilize funding for Central State and all 1890 Land Grants. This funding will allow CSU to be an agent of change in Ohio communities working with farmers and impacting positively the quality of life for Ohio citizens! Deeply appreciative to the Ohio Congressional delegates! They are Game Changers! We are thrilled with the important investments that were included in this year's Farm Bill for our 1890 Universities, said Dr. Kent Smith, Jr., Chair, Council of 1890 Universities and President of Langston University. We thank Senator Brown, the Farm Bill conferees and all of the Members of Congress and their incredible staff who have met with and worked closely with our 1890 Presidents and Ag Deans over the past several years on our legislative priorities. These investments will benefit our students and our country for years to come, concluded President Smith. The formal establishment by Congress of these Centers of Excellence is a significant achievement, said Dr. Mortimer Neufville, President of the 1890 Universities Foundation. Senator Brown and Rep. Alma Adams' leadership in helping make these Centers a reality is commendable and will better position our 1890 Universities to continue building on the cutting-edge research the world will need in the 21st Centuryto make agricultural advances. Brown helped secure the following provisions for 1890 Land-Grant institutions in the 2018 Farm Bill: Creation of Six Centers of Excellence Brown's provision to create six Centers for Excellence and Leadership, on campuses like Central State University, was included in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. Brown's amendment was based on the bipartisan REAL Opportunity Act, which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) and Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO). The designated lead universities at each center would be required to develop public-private partnerships, to ensure that their research activities provide increased access and economic returns to farmers and rural communities, and to contribute to poverty reduction, and reduce health disparities and economic vulnerability of local communities. Additionally, this legislation would authorize $20 million in federal funding over five years to be divided evenly between the centers. Increased Research Funding for Central State University For more than 100 years, Central State University was denied 1890 Land-Grant status, meaning it was ineligible for funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its innovative scientific research. Brown secured a provision that corrects the oversight and increases the amount of formula funding that Central State will be able to receive from USDA, while not jeopardizing the funding of any other 1890 Land-Grant institution. Financial Flexibility for Local Land-Grant Universities Brown was able to include a provision from his Carryover Equity Act, which will fix a provision that prohibits 1890 Land-Grant Universities from carrying over more than 20 percent of their equity from one fiscal year to the next. This arbitrary provision limits the ability of these universities to use their funds as they see fit and notably diverges from policies that govern other similar Department of Agriculture programs. Brown's bipartisan legislation would benefit 19 institutions, including Central State University. Funds for Agricultural Scholarships For the first time, the Farm Bill includes provisions to create a scholarship program for students attending 1890 Land-Grant Universities, who are pursuing a career in the agriculture industry Learn more about the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-portman-turner-bill-to-rename-dayton-federal-building-in-honor-of-judge-walter-rice-signed-into-law,"Brown, Portman, Turner Bill to Rename Dayton Federal Building in Honor of Judge Walter Rice Signed Into Law",2018-12-17,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Monday, December 17, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, President Trump signed into law U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman's (R-OH) bill to rename the federal building and courthouse on West 2nd Street in downtown Dayton after Senior United States District Court Judge Walter H. Rice. U.S. Rep. Michael Turner (R-OH-10) introduced the companion legislation in the House. Judge Rice has spent his legal career in service to Montgomery County, and it is fitting that the Dayton Federal Building, where he has devoted nearly four decades of his life, bears his name, said Brown. I join Sen. Portman and Rep. Turner in gratitude for Judge Rice's service to Dayton as we work together to honor his legacy. For more than four decades, Judge Rice has been a tireless advocate for justice, the people of Dayton, and the state of Ohio, said Portman. This is a fitting tribute to his life's work, and I join Senator Brown and Rep. Turner in thanking him for his service. I assembled a panel to recommend who to honor in naming the federal building in downtown Dayton, and they unanimously chose Judge Walter Rice, said Congressman Turner. With the help of Senators Brown and Portman, we were able to get this bill across the finish line. Judge Rice is one of our community's most dedicated public servants and this is a fitting tribute and honor he wholly deserves. President Carter appointed Judge Rice to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in 1980. Judge Rice served as Chief Judge of the court from 1996 until 2003. Before joining the federal bench, he served Montgomery County as an Assistant County Prosecutor, a Municipal Court Judge, and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-slams-texas-ruling-that-threatens-healthcare-for-millions,Brown Slams Texas Ruling That Threatens Healthcare for Millions,2018-12-17,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senator Vows to Keep Fighting, Encourages Ohioans to Still Sign up Ahead of Tomorrow's Deadline Monday, December 17, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) issued the following statement in response to a ruling by a Texas judge that threatens to kick millions of Americans off of their health insurance. Brown encouraged Ohioans to still sign up for health insurance with Saturday's deadline approaching. This decision threatensthe health coverage of 20 million peopleandunderminespre-existing condition protections for all Americans.We cannot go back to the days when insurance companies could deny coverage for people who are sick. We will fight back, said Brown.Enrollment is still open through Saturday and no one should be intimidated by this ruling. You can still get coverage by going to www.healthcare.gov or calling 1-800-318-2596 by Saturday. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/columbus-state-receives-31-million-to-create-pathways-to-careers-in,Columbus State Receives $3.1 Million to Create Pathways to Careers in Health,2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Columbus State Community College has been awarded a $3.1 million U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration grant to increase the number of economically and educationally disadvantaged central Ohio high school students entering healthcare-related professions. The college's Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) has a goal within the next five years to place 1,125 students into allied health care education pathways serving students from Columbus City, South-Western City, and Whitehall City schools, as well as undergraduates and adult/nontraditional students, according to a press release. Students considered economically disadvantaged will come from a family with a low-income level. Participants considered educationally disadvantaged are first-generation college students or students in a high school with a low graduation rate. Columbus State staff and faculty were present at a special information session on Dec. 7, which gathered students, families, teachers, and community members at Columbus City Schools' Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center.Dr. Terrence Brown, Chairperson of Veterinary Imaging and Surgical Technology Programs and a former HCOP participant, welcomed attendees and announced the initiative had received an accolade from Congresswoman Joyce Beatty. Dr. Curt Laird, Dean of the Division of Health and Human Services at Columbus State, endorsed HCOP as a pipeline to success for students seeking to pursue health care-associated careers. Health care opportunities in [the region] are, to use a pun,healthyright now. You have plenty of job opportunities, and we have certain degree programs at Columbus State that, if you do what you're supposed to do and you graduate, I can tell you you'll have a job waiting, Laird said. It's a great time to be interested in Health and Human Services and in the HCOP program. The HCOP grant affords studentsaccess to mentoring, counseling, and pre-college assistance along with career, academic, and financial aid advising. Workshops will provide guidance on applying for federal financial aid, scholarships and essay writing. Rising high school seniors will be able to take part in an immersive HCOP Summer Camp at Ohio University. We have advisors, both in Health and Human Services and in HCOP they're going to help you through every stage of this process, Laird affirmed to the students present. They're going to answer your questions, support you along the way. You're never going to be alone in doing this. I think that's what we all need sometimes is a helping hand to show us the way. HCOP offers 13 associate degree programs in target programs that include dental hygiene, emergency medical services, mental health and addiction studies, exercise science, sterile processing technology, veterinary technology, and nutrition and dietetics. Grant partners include The Ohio State University's Department of Neuroscience, Otterbein University, Ohio University, YWCA Columbus, Faith Mission, Columbus City Schools, Whitehall City Schools, and South-Western City Schools. Nationwide Children's Hospital is an additional partner.Franklin County is home to 25 hospitals and nearly 4,000 healthcare and social assistance organizations. In addition, Central Ohio is home to Cardinal Health, one of the region's largest employers. These organizations will provide employment options for HCOP graduates. Dr. Rebecca Butler, Columbus State's Executive Vice-President, acknowledged the benefit of those institutional relationships, but emphasized the community impact prospective students could make as HCOP participants. You have heard already this morning a lot about Columbus State. You've heard a lot about the partnerships we have with Columbus City Schools and with Whitehall, with South-Western, and our other school districts. You've heard a lot about how we partner with Ohio State, with Ohio University, my alma mater, and Otterbein. We are very, very proud of this grant. But this isnot, for you, about that. This is about you and the fact that you have already made an incredibly important decision in your life, and that is you want to be a part of helping others. You want to live your life in service of others, and help others live their life to the best of their ability. This article was originally published by Columbus Underground on December 14, 2018.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-presses-federal-agencies-to-prioritize-studies-on-health-effects-of-firefighters-exposure-to-pfas-chemical,Brown Presses Federal Agencies to Prioritize Studies on Health Effects of Firefighters’ Exposure to PFAS Chemical,2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"As CDC, ATSDR Opt Not to Include Firefighters in National PFAS Study, Brown Joins Bipartisan Letter Pushing Agencies to Do More Friday, December 14, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today,U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown joined a group of bipartisan colleagues in a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), requesting that the agencies take additional steps to ensure that the health effects of occupational exposure to per-and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS), particularly in firefighters, are sufficiently studied. Brown's letter is in response to ATSDR Director Patrick Breysse's announcement that firefighters will not be included in an ATSDR study on the health impacts of PFAS. Firefighters, both military and civilian, work in environments that have higher exposure to PFAS, which are found in firefighting foam. Firefighters are a vital component of our nation's emergency response system and risk their lives to protect the communities they serve. There is a critical need to better understand how PFAS workplace exposure among firefighters may affect the health of these heroes and their families, wrote the Senators. ATSDR operates under the CDC. The PFAS health impact study allows for the agencies to investigate the human health effects of PFAS contamination through a number of exposure pathways, including those encountered by firefighters. However earlier this year, ATSDR announced that firefighters would not be included in the study. In their letter, the Senators request that the agencies ensure future studies investigating the potential health effects from PFAS exposure include firefighters and others who are more likely to come into contact with contamination in an occupational setting. The letter can be read in full here. In September, President Trump signed a spending package that included $1 million in funds for Brown'sFirefighter Cancer Registry Act,which requiresthe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to create and maintain a voluntary registry to collect data on cancer incidence among firefighters. The data collected by the registry will be used with existing state data to better assess and prevent cancer among firefighters. In addition to establishing the volunteer registry, Brown's bill requires the CDC to develop a strategy to maximize participation, develop guidance for state agencies, and encourage inclusion among participants and to seek feedback from nonfederal experts. The CDC would also be required to ensure the data collected is made public and accessible for research. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-sanders-urge-boeing-to-end-practice-of-firing-and-intimidating-workers-who-have-elected-to-unionize,"Brown, Sanders Urge Boeing to End Practice of Firing & Intimidating Workers Who Have Elected to Unionize",2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senators Previously Urged Boeing to Respect Workers' Rights to Unionize & Begin Collectively Bargaining with Them Friday, December 14, 2018 WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) today wrote a letter to Boeing in which they urged the company to stop any efforts to intimidate, harass, or terminate their employees as an effort to undermine their federally protected right to join a union. In June, Boeing flight readiness technicians in North Charleston, South Carolina elected to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), and proceeded to select representatives to ensure their voices are heard at the negotiating table. However, Boeing continues to challenge this election and has instead pursued a campaign of intimidation against the flight readiness technicians. In fact, six of the technicians have been terminated at the plant. It is alarming that instead of negotiating with the IAMAW, Boeing has instead pursued a campaign of intimidation against the flight readiness technicians. We understand that six of the technicians have been terminated at the plant. We understand further that all were involved in the successful effort of the flight readiness technicians to form a union and elect the IAMAW as their representative in collective bargaining. According to the union, terminations of flight readiness technicians are extremely rare. Before the recent terminations, only one had been fired since the plant opened in 2015. In contrast, the recent rash of firings has taken place in a two-month period, the Senators wrote in their letter. Brown and Sanders urged Boeing to drop these tactics, reinstate the six terminated workers, recognize their chosen representative in the IAMAW, and begin collective bargaining immediately. In August, Brown led a group of 23 Senators in urging Boeing to drop its appeal of the election where Boeing flight technicians in North Charleston successfully elected union leadership to represent their interests. In that letter, Brown called Boeing's attempt to appeal the election and undermine its results an attack on workers' rights to have their voices heard, and said Boeing should instead immediately begin its contract negotiations with workers through their elected representation. A copy of the Senators' letter to Boeing appears below and HERE. December 14, 2018 Dennis Muilenburg Chairman, President and CEO The Boeing Company 100 North Riverside Chicago, Illinois 60606 Dear Mr. Muilenburg: We write today to express our grave concern with the treatment of several workers at your North Charleston, South Carolina facility. We urge you to stop any efforts to intimidate, harass, or terminate your employees as an effort to undermine their federally protected right to join a union. We are disappointed that, despite widespread opposition among United States Senators, Boeing continues to challenge the May 31, 2018 election in which North Charleston flight readiness technicians and inspectors chose the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) to represent them and collectively bargain on their behalf. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) expressly permits the Board to decide that units smaller than plant-wide units are appropriate for bargaining (See 29 U.S.C. 159(b)). Even under the employer-friendly test for evaluating bargaining units articulated in PCC Structurals (365 NLRB No. 160, 2017), the unit consisting of flight readiness technicians and inspectors is clearly appropriate because those workers share a community of interest sufficiently distinct from other Boeing employees outside the unit. As we wrote in August, we urge the company to drop the appeal and begin collective bargaining with the workers' chosen representative. It is alarming that instead of negotiating with the IAMAW, Boeing has instead pursued a campaign of intimidation against the flight readiness technicians. We understand that six of the technicians have been terminated at the plant. We understand further that all were involved in the successful effort of the flight readiness technicians to form a union and elect the IAMAW as their representative in collective bargaining. According to the union, terminations of flight readiness technicians are extremely rare. Before the recent terminations, only one had been fired since the plant opened in 2015. In contrast, the recent rash of firings has taken place in a two-month period. In our view, it is no coincidence that all of the workers who were recently fired openly support the union, and we believe the IAMAW that the justifications for the firings are spurious. As you are well aware, it is illegal to harass, intimidate, or terminate workers for exercising their right to collectively bargain (See 29 U.S.C. 158(a)). We know the NLRB will consider the unfair labor practice charges filed by the union in response to these attacks. The flight technicians, however, should not have to wait throughout that process to be reinstated and to collectively bargain. We strongly urge you to drop these tactics, reinstate the six terminated workers, recognize their chosen representative in the IAMAW, and begin collective bargaining immediately. It is in Boeing's interest to invest in its workers instead of attacking them. Sincerely, Sherrod Brown U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders U.S. Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-thune-secure-improvements-to-agriculture-risk-coverage-program-in-2018-farm-bill,"Brown, Thune Secure Improvements to Agriculture Risk Coverage Program in 2018 Farm Bill",2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senators Worked to Make the ARC Program more Workable for Midwest Farmers Friday, December 14, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and John Thune (R-SD), both members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, announced that this week they secured bipartisan improvements to the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) Program in the 2018 Farm Bill. Ohio farmers need effective risk management tools particularly when facing several years of low commodity prices. These updates to the ARC program will better protect against both low prices or lower than expected yields, said Brown. The improvements in this bill will better protect Ohio soybean and corn growers from risks outside their control. This bipartisan bill builds on the reforms of the 2014 Farm Bill and is good for farmers and good for taxpayers. I'm glad the House and Senate came together to put the agriculture community ahead of politics and act on this important legislation. This pro-agriculture farm bill, which includes key improvements to the ARC program, will help give South Dakota farmers and ranchers greater economic certainty and will allow them to focus on what's most important in their line of work: growing crops and raising livestock, said Thune. The bill will improve the ARC Program by modifying the payment calculation and other parts of the program to improve its safety net potential. By providing more equitable support prices that are reflective of the actual market value for all crops and using a 10-year market price average as a cap on reference prices, the Brown-Thune provision would take an important step toward ensuring farm programs are more fiscally responsible for taxpayers. The bill would also ensure that payments are not being made for base acres on land that is no longer being planted with commodity crops. Beginning farmers would, for the first time since 2002, have a new opportunity, based on planting history, to become eligible for new or additional base acres on certain farms that were previously ineligible or only eligible for limited commodity program assistance. Specifically, the Brown-Thune bill will improve commodity program for Midwestern crops by doing the following: Using a trend yield adjustment factor to account for the improvement in yields over time; Increasing the plug yield used for the guarantee to 80% from 70%; Requiring ARC payments to be calculated using the physical location of each farm, instead of a farm's administrative county; Allowing farmers currently enrolled in ARC or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) to change enrollment beginning in 2021; and Maintaining the ARC individual option. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=1978,Congresswoman Fudge Statement on Proposed Changes to Ohio Early Voting Hours,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Marcia Fudge,F000455,fudge.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Fudge Statement on Proposed Changes to Ohio Early Voting Hours WASHINGTON Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) releases the following statement on proposed cutbacks to Ohio's early voting hours: It is deeply disappointing the Ohio State Legislature is once again considering restricting Ohioans' access to the ballot box. I strongly urge the legislature to keep the Monday before election day voting and increase weekend voting hours. The right to vote is not a commodity to be traded, it is a constitutional right. Early voting is essential to the diverse voting populations across the state that include students, the elderly, urban residents and communities of color. Ohio legislators should set an example for other states and increase opportunities for Americans to vote, not create additional obstacles to the ballot box. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ukraine-caucus-co-chairs-passage-ukraine-related-bills-house-face,Ukraine Caucus Co-Chairs on Passage of Ukraine Related Bills in House in Face of Escalating Russian Aggression,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressional Ukraine Caucus Chairs, Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Andy Harris (R-MD), Sander Levin (D-MI), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) issued a statement after the House of Representatives unanimously passed three Ukraine-related bills in the face of Russia's military escalation in the Kerch Strait. We applaud the passage of the H.Res. 1162, which condemns Russia's brazen aggression against Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait. This same week, the House unanimously passed, H.Res.931, which recognizes the grave crime of the Holodomor Famine-Genocide against the Ukrainian people. We also applaud the passage of H.Res. 1035, which expresses the House's unanimous opposition to Nord Stream II as a Russian ploy to weaponize energy against Ukraine. These bills send a clear, bipartisan message to the Ukrainian people that we stand in strong solidarity against Russian aggression. We thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their continued leadership on these critical issues. Tragically, Russian Dictator Vladimir Putin continues to test the resolve of NATO and the western alliance, and seeks to slowly but surely whittle away the Ukrainian people's sovereignty and its democratic progress. History shows us that appeasement only emboldens dictators. We urge the international community to raise the costs on Russia due to its escalation and aggression against the people of Ukraine. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/gallery/photos/sen-browns-constituent-coffee-12-13-18,Sen. Brown's Constituent Coffee 12-13-18,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=1974,Congresswoman Fudge Statement on Cleveland Clinic Raising Its Minimum Wage,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Marcia Fudge,F000455,fudge.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Fudge Statement on Cleveland Clinic Raising Its Minimum Wage WASHINGTON Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) releases the following statement after today's announcement regarding Cleveland Clinic's minimum wage increase to $15: Opponents of raising the minimum wage have not struggled to feed their family on $7.25 an hour. I applaud the Cleveland Clinic for recognizing the positive impact raising the minimum wage will have on the economic growth of our community. As one of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio, paying employees a livable wage shows a concern for others that stretches beyond the services the Cleveland Clinic provides to their patients every day. Raising wages to $15 shows a genuine appreciation for the more than 3,000 health care professionals and workers at their facility who provide medical care to Cleveland residents. I am thankful to the Cleveland Clinic for their commitment to helping families in our area rise above the poverty line and meet their basic needs."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=1975,Congresswoman Fudge Statement on House Passage of the Farm Bill,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Marcia Fudge,F000455,fudge.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Fudge Statement on House Passage of the Farm Bill WASHINGTON Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) released the following statement after the House voted today to approve the Conference Report on H.R. 2, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 known as the Farm Bill: The Farm Bill Conference report is a good bill, not a perfect bill, but certainly worthy of our support. I am pleased Members on both sides of the aisle and across the chamber were able to reach consensus and show the American people Congress can work together. It was the right decision to vote for legislation that prevents devastating cuts to SNAP (Food Stamps); increases access to healthy foods in underserved areas; and provides farmers additional tools and resources needed to own and operate successful businesses. This bill provides certainty and sound agricultural policies for America's producers and consumers. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-statement-house-passage-bipartisan-farm-bill,Kaptur statement on House passage of bipartisan Farm Bill,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Dean of the Ohio Delegation, released the following statement after the passage of the bipartisan Farm Bill by the U.S. House of Representatives. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 passed the Senate yesterday and it now heads to the President's desk. One of our government's most important duties is to ensure that our agriculture sector and our farmers have the resources they need to feed our nation, said Kaptur. I am pleased that a bipartisan agreement on the Farm Bill provides forward-thinking support for American producers through mandatory investments in research, urban agriculture and local and regional food systems. Kaptur has pushed for a comprehensive effort to invest in urban agriculture through her bill, the Urban Agriculture Production Act, and was instrumental in making sure urban agriculture was a priority in this Farm Bill. In the bill, innovative and high-tech production will be supported by a newly created Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. The office will serve as a policy and program development hub for non-traditional operations. Additionally, the agreement continues conservation programming, especially important in the Western Lake Erie Watershed where such programs have been used to address nutrient run-off and control erosion. Though this is a good step, we still have more work to do to improve water quality in Lake Erie and regional tributaries, Kaptur continued. Conservation programming remains a critical management tool as we work toward meeting our goals of healing Lake Erie. With this final bipartisan agreement Congress has provided stability to our farmers and businesses, fortifying our commitment to protecting our environment and making sure that families, and especially children who are struggling, don't go hungry, Kaptur concluded. Read more about the bill here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-announces-deal-term-limits-democratic-leadership,Congressman Tim Ryan Announces Deal for Term Limits on Democratic Leadership,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) today announced his support for an agreement with Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi ensuring the rise of a new generation of Democratic leaders. The deal would see Leader Pelosi agree to transition out of her leadership role by the end of the next Congress or--if she can obtain two-thirds support of the Democratic Caucus--at the end of the 117th Congress. Leader Pelosi also agreed to demands by Ryan and other Democrats who were witholding their vote for her that she support a change to Democratic Caucus rules to implement term-limits for the top three leaders of the Caucus. If the vote passes, the top three current Democratic leaders, all of whom have already served two terms in their current positions, would only be allowed to serve one more term in the upcoming 116th Congress unless they can secure two thirds of the caucus's support for an extra term in the 117th Congress. Leader Pelosi personally pledged to adhereto the framework for these term limits regardless of the outcome of the Caucus vote. As a result of this deal, Congressman Ryan plans to vote in support Leader Pelosi's bid for Speaker on the House Floor January 3rd. When I joined this effort four weeks ago I said our goal was to think seriously about transitioning our caucus leadership to a new generation of Democrats in the House. The agreement announced today is a historic step in that direction. I have also been clear from the start that this effort was never about one personbut our entire Democratic leadership team which has been in power for 16 years. As such, I intend to fight alongside my colleagues to make sure the entire leadership team and future leadership teams are bound by this deal. ""Leader Pelosi has been an honest partner throughout these negotiations, and I applaud her commitment to creating a system that will ensure the speedy rise of new leadership reflecting the diversity and energy of our caucus. ""I am very proud to have joined with my colleagues to make lasting positive change to our partychange that will ensure Democrats are in the best possible position to fight, and win, for hard working families,""said Congressman Ryan.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-votes-yes-new-farm-bill,Congressman Tim Ryan Votes Yes on New Farm Bill,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan today released this statement after voting yes on the Farm Bill conference report (H.R. 2, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018). The Farm Bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation in Congress. Agriculture is Ohio's largest industry. Now more than ever, Congress must seize every opportunity to fix the broken systems that work against children and families, pollute the environment, risk public health, and perpetuate systemic poverty and hunger. While far from perfect, this bipartisan legislation contains many provisions that made it worthy of passage. The 2018 Farm Bill protects funding for and access to SNAP, our nation's largest anti-hunger program, which feeds 1.5 million Ohioans. It preserves critical conservation programs that protect and improve water quality, soil health, and the Great Lakes. Importantly, the bill provides permanent funding for the tiny but mighty Farm Bill programs that are often overlooked. These programs fund local farmers markets and food programs, research the challenges facing organic farmers, support veteran and minority farmers, and train the next generation of Americans to work in agriculture. Perfect legislation does not exist, and I am disappointed the bill does not reform farm subsidies and adequately address climate change. Still, Congress has a responsibility to act, and the Farm Bill passed today will provide much-needed stability and certainty to Ohio farmers, families, and communities said Congressman Ryan. Congressman Ryan has been a longtime supporter of tiny but mighty programs that are now permanently funded in the Farm Bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-announces-28-million-for-berkshire-local-school-district-,Brown Announces $28 Million for Berkshire Local School District,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Funds will go Toward Constructing New K-12 Learning Facility Wednesday, December 12, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program has awarded a $28,000,000 loan to the Berkshire Local School District to construct a new 168,000 square foot school for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. This project was made possible through a collaboration between USDA and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC). Access to state-of-the art education facilities is important for Ohio families, teachers and communities, Brown said. The new school is an investment in the Berkshire community and an investment in the futures of its students. The new building will feature career tech spaces for diesel mechanics and nursing education, and a 650-seat auditorium. It will be co-located with Kent State University's Geauga and Regional Academic Center in Burton. The USDA's Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. The funding helps rural small towns, cities and communities make infrastructure improvements and provide essential facilities such as schools, libraries, courthouses, public safety facilities, hospitals, colleges and day care centers. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-announces-300000-for-business-development-in-akron,"Brown Announces $300,000 for Business Development in Akron",2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Wednesday, December 12, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $300,000 to the Bounce Innovation Hub Fusion Fund in Akron. The funding will provide critical capital for innovation-based start-ups and companies with high growth potential in the software space. When start-ups are looking to get their businesses off the ground, local investment and capital are key to their growth and success,said Brown.This funding will boost Bounce Innovation Hub's ability to help drive economic growth in northeast Ohio. The Fusion Fund provides access to facilities, mentors, and resources available through the Bounce Innovation Hub which houses 300,000 square feet of co-working space, conference space, office space, and laboratory space. The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded the funding through its Seed Fund Support Program. Grants awarded through the program provide technical assistance to help plan, form, and launch seed capital funds for start-up companies. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-announces-365-million-investment-for-campus-upgrades-at-heidelberg-university-,Brown Announces $36.5 Million Investment for Campus Upgrades At Heidelberg University,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Funds will go Toward Construction of Welcome Center, Student Housing and Classrooms Wednesday, December 12, 2018 WASHINGTON, DC Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded Heidelberg University a $36,500,000 Rural Development loan for campus improvements and upgrades. The funds for this project will go toward the construction of a new student welcome center, student housing facilities and classroom renovations and expansions. USDA is also providing a $1.5 million Community Facilities loan to help fund the project. These funds will help ensure Heidelberg University has the tools and resources to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to advance their careers, said Brown. This investment will not only support faculty and students, but it lead to more jobs and economic growth in Tiffin and the surrounding area. The funds for this project are a part of the USDA's Rural Development initiative. Brown helped secure a strong Rural Development title in the 2014 Farm Bill, and is continuing to advocate for Rural Development programs in the 2018 Farm Bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-announces-nearly-6-million-for-wastewater-treatment-plant-in-athens-county,Brown Announces Nearly $6 Million for Wastewater Treatment Plant in Athens County,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Wednesday, December 12, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $5,990,999 to fund the construction of a wastewater treatment plant and additional collection lines for the City of Nelsonville. The plant will serve as the central hub of a new regional treatment area in portions of Athens and Hocking counties. Water infrastructure is critical to Ohio communities' ability to create jobs and compete,Brown said.This investment will help attract jobs and businesses to the area, and improve access to safe and clean water in the City of Nelsonville. The funds for this grant are a part of the USDA's Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants Program. Brown helped secure a strong Rural Development title in the 2014 Farm Bill, and is continuing to advocate for Rural Development programs in the 2018 Farm Bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-announces-nearly-85-million-investment-for-cleveland-harbor-,Brown Announces Nearly $8.5 Million Investment for Cleveland Harbor,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Brown Has Fought to Keep Shipping Channel on Cuyahoga River Open Wednesday, December 12, 2018 WASHINGTON, DC Today,U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown(D-OH) announced an $8,439,000 investment from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for the Port of Cleveland. These funds will be used to maintain the shipping channel and rebuild a breakwater, protecting the harbor from the force of waves. This project will ensure ships are able navigate safely through the shipping channel, while protecting the environmental integrity of the harbor by removing debris and sediments. Brown helped secure these funds as part of the FY 2019 Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, which President Trump signed into law in September. The Cleveland Harbor plays critical role for local businesses, local jobs, and the local ecosystem, said Brown. This investment will ensure ships can continue moving cargo through our ports while also protecting the health of Lake Erie for businesses and residents alike. Brown has long been fighting to protect Lake Erie. In September, President Trump signed theFY 2019Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Actconference report, which includedimportant winsBrown secured to protect Lake Erie. The measure included language prohibiting the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) from dumping toxic material dredged from the Cuyahoga River shipping channel into Lake Erie without the approval from the State of Ohio, as well as language requiring the Corps to make every effort to release its Chief's Report for the Brandon Road Study by February 2019. Both Brown and Sen. Rob Portman have fought to hold the Corps to its obligation to fully dredge the shipping channel and dispose of the dredged sediment in a way that protects Lake Erie, which is critical to protect thethousands of jobsthat rely on the Port of Cleveland as well as the health and ecosystem of Lake Erie.Legislation they co-authoredto keep toxic dredged material from the Cuyahoga River out of Lake Erie was signed into law in December 2016. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-fighting-for-small-businesses-pushing-legislation-to-protect-from-predatory-lending-practices,"Brown Fighting For Small Businesses, Pushing Legislation to Protect From Predatory Lending Practices",2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Brown Introduced Bipartisan Bill Last Week to Expand Federal Ban on Shady Lending Practices to Cover Small Businesses Wednesday, December 12, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today,U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown(D-OH) hosted a news conference call with an Ohio small business owner as Brown and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced legislation to protect small businesses from predatory lending practices. Right now, lenders can include what's called a confession of judgment' in lending contracts. Confessions of judgment require a borrower to give up their rights in court before obtaining a loan, and allow the lender to seize the borrower's assets without warning in order to satisfy the debt. When we let financial predators harm hardworking Americans through scams like confessions of judgment, we undermine the dignity of work that makes this country great, said Brown. This bipartisan bill ensures that consumers and small business owners benefit from protections that prevent predatory lenders from stripping away their hard earned money under cover of night. Brown's bill, the Small Business Lending Fairness Act, would: Codify a decades-old ban by the Federal Trade Commission against the use of confessions of judgment provisions in consumer loan contracts; and expand the ban to provide the same protections against these harmful provisions to small businesses, as well. Brown was joined on today's call by central Ohio small business owner Richard Schilg, who has been harmed by confession of judgement provisions, to talk about why Brown's bill is so important to Ohio small businesses. For a struggling small business, it's not only seductive, but it really does provide badly needed working capital oxygen you can't find anywhere else. Small Business are close to the people. Your employees, clients and your shareholders you see and talk to nearly every day. You would do anything not to fail and that causes you to do things you would not otherwise do, said Schilg. Confessions of judgment make it easy for predatory lenders to strip a business of all of their assets even from some businesses who are current on their loans, meaning business owners risk losing everything without a chance to defend themselves in court. Last month, Bloomberg published an in-depth investigative report on this shady small business lending tactic which has allowed creditors to wipe out tens of thousands borrowers with no notice or opportunity for defense. The FTC passed a federal rule in 1985 protecting consumers, but small business borrowers are still exposed because the FTC left open a loophole. That loophole has allowed predators to devastate small businesses across the country. More information on Brown's bill can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-helps-lead-charge-to-overturn-trump-administrations-controversial-dark-money-rule,Brown Helps Lead Charge to Overturn Trump Administration’s Controversial Dark Money Rule,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Brown Joins Group of Senators in Effort to Shed Light More on Dark Money Wednesday, December 12, 2018 WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today joined his colleagues in forcing a Senate vote to repeal a controversial new Trump Administration rulethat allows dark money groups to hide the identities of their donors. Brown joined 30 of his fellow Senators in cosponsoring this legislation, which was introduced by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The Senators gained enough bipartisan support to pass this legislation and repeal the administration's rule, which will shed more light on dark money in our political system.That resolution passed the Senate today by 50-49, and will now head to the House for a vote there. After the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced in July that they would no longer require certain tax-exempt organizations to report the names of their major donors to the IRS, Democrats introduced a Resolution of Disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to overturn the controversial decision and bring more transparency and accountability to our democracy. It makes absolutely no sense that a local nonprofit has to disclose to the IRS those who give $5000 or more, but political dark money groups can receive hundreds of millions and keep it completely secret. Today's action by the Senate is a key step in shedding more light on our campaign finance system, and reverse the Trump Administration's efforts to keep dark money in the shadows, said Brown. Under the Congressional Review Act, members of Congress must introduce a disapproval resolution within 60 calendar days from when the final rule was issued. After 20 calendar days, the resolution can be discharged from Finance Committee without a Committee vote. At that point, a motion to proceed to the resolution may be made on the Senate floor, so long as it is supported, in writing, by at least 30 Senators. You can read the Senators' Congressional Review Act Resolution HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/pelosi-rebels-near-deal-to-deliver-her-votes-for-speaker,"Pelosi, rebels near deal to deliver her votes for speaker",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and a small group of Democratic members seeking to oust her are on the cusp of an agreement that would help deliver the longtime Democratic leader the votes to become speaker again. The deal is ""98% done,"" according to one source familiar with the negotiations. The proposed deal would guarantee Pelosi two more years as speaker and she could serve no longer than four more years in the job. The deal, two sources confirm, would entail Pelosi backing a proposal to enact term limits for the party's top three leaders -- an agreement that would affect Pelosi, as well as her top two deputies, Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina. The trio has led House Democrats for more than a decade. The agreement, first reported by Politico, stipulates that the leaders can serve for only three terms. Another term sought beyond that would require approval by two-thirds of the Democratic caucus, higher than the current simple majority threshold. Sources also confirm that the deal, as it stands now, would be retroactive, meaning Pelosi would be entering her third term in 2019. If she did win a fourth term, it would be her last. A Pelosi aide confirmed ""progress has been made"" in the negotiations but didn't go into specifics: ""There are various conversations going on about a path forward. Progress has been made and the conversations are constructive because all involved care about the institution of the House of Representatives."" While the talks at one point also included term limits for lower-level leadership roles and committee chairs, sources close to the discussion say the conversation has narrowed to a focus on the top three leadership positions. Pelosi, as she seeks to shore up support for her speaker bid, has been in active conversations with Rep. Ed Perlmutter of Colorado, a leader of the small group of Democrats attempting to block her from the speakership because they want to see new leaders at the top. Even if Pelosi backs the agreement, the caucus would have to approve a rule change, and it's not clear there's enough support to usher in the agreement. Earlier Tuesday, House Democrats held a heated debate over the push to impose term limits, ultimately deciding to table the discussion until incoming freshmen members can take part in the conversation next month. ""There's some strong feelings in the room, but we're not going to deal with it today,"" Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan said while leaving the caucus meeting. Broadly, the idea of term limits is a contentious topic among Democrats, where a divide exists between those eager to see a new generation of leaders and those who say seniority and experience matter. Hoyer of Maryland, who's been in Congress for three decades and served as majority leader when Democrats last held power, passionately decried the idea of term limits on Tuesday. Hoyer said six times that he doesn't support term limits and noted he had repeatedly cosponsored legislation in the past that called for repealing term limits for the presidency. ""I'm against term limits, because I have a term limit. It's a two-year term limit,"" Hoyer told reporters. ""Every year the citizens that I represent and the members in this House have to re-up my contract."" Asked how he feels about Pelosi entertaining the idea of term limits in her negotiations, Hoyer was frank. ""She's not negotiating for me,"" he said. Multiple Democrats said the debate in the caucus meeting Tuesday, which happened before the details of the plan were reported, was a broad discussion over the idea of term limits in general, rather than any specific proposal with positions and a set number of terms in mind. Emerging from the meeting, many members expressed some openness to the idea but wanted to see a concrete proposal first. ""I don't think it's a bad idea. I don't see any downside,"" said Rep. Bill Pascrell, a New Jersey Democrat. ""It keeps people looking forward. I tend to support it right now."" ""My conceptual thought on this, I think the American people hired us to be the majority in part to bring some change to Congress,"" said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat. ""And therefore we have to figure out how we can put more people in positions of responsibility so they can gain skills to assume leadership in the future."" Pelosi, Hoyer and Clyburn were recently nominated by the caucus to maintain their positions in the next Congress -- despite some opposition in the party to their long-running places at the top. If Pelosi ultimately supports some sort of term limit, she could potentially win at least five votes among the detractors, helping her cross the 218-vote threshold she needs to win the speakership on the floor. Pelosi, who explored the idea of term limits for committee chairs in 2015, told reporters last week she was ""sympathetic"" to the concerns of those who'd like to see limits but said it was a matter to be debated by the caucus. Still, opposition to term limits was on display Tuesday, including from multiple Congressional Black Caucus members. ""The CBC has had, it's no secret, a long history of supporting seniority,"" said Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio, who recently elected vice chairwoman of the caucus. ""Let's not change the rules when you have women who have finally gotten there, when you have African-Americans -- and why do we make a big deal at this point in time in history that we want to change the rules?"" Noting the concerns voiced in Tuesday's meeting, Beatty said she felt confident that ""Pelosi will work in the best interest of the entire caucus and not just a minority of the caucus."" Rep. Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said he's against all term limits, describing the idea as ""a solution to a problem that doesn't exist."" ""She's talking to those guys, but that doesn't mean the caucus has to vote for it,"" Richmond said, referring to Perlmutter and his allies. ""And I think that all she's committing is that she'll support it or something, so we'll see what happens. But at some point those guys got to put all this silliness to bed so we can start governing."" While term limits is an idea that could potentially get some Pelosi opponents on board for her speaker bid, others say they won't be deterred from seeking a change at the top. Rep. Kurt Schrader, an Oregon Democrat who's an outspoken critic of Pelosi, said term limits wouldn't be enough to tamp down his quest to see her go. ""I don't see it happening, frankly,"" he said of the term limits idea. ""Blowback has been significant, as you might imagine. I'm anticipating that we still have the votes to stop her from becoming speaker."" This article was originally published by CNN on December 11, 2018.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-meets-youngstown-delegation-washington-dc-celebrate-108,"Congressman Tim Ryan Meets Youngstown Delegation in Washington, DC to Celebrate $10.8 Million BUILD Grant",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) met with a delegation of Youngstown elected officials and community leaders to congratulate them on receiving a $10.8 million BUILD grant (formally known as TIGER Grant). The delegation was in town for meetings with officials at the Department of Transportation regarding their award, and included Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown, 1stWard City Councilman Julius Oliver, 3rdWard City Councilman Nate Pinkard, Youngstown Law Director Jeff Limbian, Director of the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments Jim Kinnick, Youngstown/Warren Chamber of Commerce President James Dignan, Youngstown State University Associate Vice President of External Affairs Michael Hripko, Western Reverse Transit Authority's Charlie Nelson, WRTA Executive Director Dean Harris, 7thWard City Councilwoman Basia Adamczak. These funds will support a critical infrastructure project that will provide autonomous transit shuttles, transit waiting environments, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, green infrastructure such as permeable surfaces and LED lighting, streetscaping, and wayfinding to connect anchor institutions such as Youngstown State University, Mercy Health, Youngstown Business Incubator, and Eastern Gateway Community College. This federal investment will be transformative for the City of Youngstown and our entire region. This announcement was the culmination years of hard work and a highly collaborative, public-private partnership. I want to thank Director Jim Kinnick and the staff at Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, Mayor Brown and the teams at YSU, Mercy Health, WRTA and The Chamber of Commerce for their steadfast belief in this project. Everyone here had a part to play, and remains committed to ushering in a new era of growth in Youngstown. That dedication is what got this grant over the finish line. I'm thrilled to have been in the trenches with them fighting for this critical project,said Congressman Ryan.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-announces-2018-farm-bill-agreement-,Brown Announces 2018 Farm Bill Agreement,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Bill Is Set to Pass Congress, Then Head to President's Desk for Final Signature; Brown Fought to Secure Several Ohio-Specific Provisions Included in Bipartisan Bill after Meeting with Ohio Farmers and Stakeholders around the State Tuesday, December 11, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the House-Senate Farm Bill Conference Committee has reached a final agreement on the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, more commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill. As a member of the committee tasked with reconciling the differences between the House and Senate versions of the 2018 Farm Bill, Brown fought for provisions that were important to Ohio farmers. Brown, the first Ohioan to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in more than 50 years, held roundtables around Ohio to hear from Ohio farmers and rural communities about what they wanted to see in the bill. The House will take up the bill this week and the Senate thereafter. At the beginning of the year, I pledged to get the Farm Bill done, so that we could provide Ohio farmers with the certainty they deserve, said Brown. And I'm proud that this final bipartisan bill will do that. We secured important wins for Ohio dairy farmers, as well as soybean and corn farmers. This final bill protects funding for critical nutrition programs that feed Ohio families, makes historic investments in local foods, and continues to invest in programs to improve water quality in Lake Erie and across the state. Congress should move swiftly so that we can get this bill over the finish line. The final bill includes the following Ohio priorities secured by Brown: Brown's Local Food and Regional Market Supply (FARMS) Act: Brown's Local Food and Regional Market Supply (FARMS) Act provides permanent funding to help farmers sell their products directly to consumers, create rural jobs, and invest in local and regional food economies. The program would fund farmers markets, local food systems, and the popular Value Added Producer grant program and other local food programs that help farmers sell their products and expand their businesses. This new, consolidated program is called the Local Agriculture Marketing Program, or LAMP. Establishes a new Harvesting Health program to make local healthy produce available to more Ohio communities. Research has shown that access to fruit and vegetables can reduce hospital visits and reduce the side effects of chronic diseases. Brown's water quality improvement bill, the Give Our Resources the Opportunity to Work (GROW) Act: Brown's legislation would refocus federal investments to improve water quality and soil health. These efforts will improve federal conservation programs and better support Ohio farmers by reforming the three largest conservation funding programs to protect waterways while expanding access to quality farmland. Included Provisions would: Create a new Clean Lakes, Estuaries, and Rivers (CLEAR) program to better promote water quality. This prioritizes enrolling lands in the Conservation Reserve Program that will best prevent runoff and protect water quality. Authorize advanced payments for beginning farmers as a part of the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). This program would reserve funding for conservation practices that protect drinking water. Include reforms to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), which would prioritize cover crops and crop rotations. Provisions that would make improvements to dairy programs in order to better target support for small- and medium-sized producers: The Farm Bill replaces the Margin Protection Program (MPP) with the Dairy Risk Coverage program, which invests an additional $100 million to improve affordability, flexibility, and effectiveness for Ohio dairy farmers. Improving Commodity Programs for Midwestern Crops: Bill includes some improvements from the Brown-Thune ARC-II to make the Agriculture Risk Coverage program more workable for Ohio farmers. Allows growers participating in the ARC program to update yields. Expands and increases funding for market and export promotion programs. Protects and improves crop insurance for Ohio growers Includes Brown amendment to expand crop insurance coverage to Ohio farmers looking to plant malting barley for the state's growing beer industry. Protects the supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Brown secured provisions that protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for hungry families in Ohio, while protecting families in need by helping avoid harmful eligibility changes that would force working families to jump through unnecessary bureaucratic hoops. Brown-Portman amendment to increase funding for Central State University Brown's amendment would increase the amount of formula funding that Central State University will be able to receive from USDA, after being denied 1890 Land Grant status for more than 100 years. Investments to Combat the Opioid Epidemic Bill includes investments in telemedicine, community facilities, and rural health and safety programs for substance abuse treatment, prevention, and education. Learn more about the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-portman-press-for-answers-from-gm-on-future-of-lordstown-plant-supply-chain-impacts_,"Brown, Portman Press for Answers from GM on Future of Lordstown Plant, Supply Chain Impacts",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Both Ohio Senators have Committed to Continuing to Push GM to Keep Workers on the Job Tuesday, December 11, 2018 WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) today penned a letter to General Motors CEO Mary Barra in which they demanded answers on the future of the Lordstown plant. The Senators have continually urged GM to invest in this highly productive facility, rather than shutter its doors. In the letter, they demanded answers on the potential job and supply chain impacts, should GM decide to pursue its disastrous decision to close the plant. The Senators argued that Lordstown workers, their families, and the impacted communities need to have the information necessary to prepare for any consequences of GM's announcement. As GM continues to evaluate the company's next steps with respect to the Lordstown plant, it is critical that the workers and communities affected by any company decisions understand the short- and long-term implications of the announcement and its full impacts.Only with complete information can the Mahoning Valley as well as the numerous Ohio businesses and communities who stand to lose jobs and investment as part the Lordstown closure effectively respond to, and recover from, changes to production at Lordstown, Brown and Portman wrote in their letter. Brown and Portman met with Barra last week following GM's announcement that it would lay off its final shift of workers and close its Lordstown plant in March of 2019. Both Ohio Senators have urged GM to work with them to save these Lordstown jobs. Earlier this year, GM announced plans to build the new Chevy Blazer in Mexico on the same day the company ended the second shift at a plant. GM has eliminated nearly 3,000 jobs at the plant over the last two years. A copy of Brown and Portman's letter to GM is below and HERE: December 11, 2018 Mary Barra CEO General Motors Company Detroit, Michigan 48232 Dear Ms. Barra: Thank you for meeting with us last week. We are pleased that you committed to keeping an open mind about Lordstown's future, and we are committed to working with you to find a way forward that would bring another product or products to the Lordstown plant. As we discussed, we are deeply disappointed in GM's announcement to discontinue vehicle production at the plant. For more than 50 years, Lordstown has been an important part of GM's success, and just this year J.D. Power ranked the plant number one for the highest quality production among GM's facilities. Given Lordstown's history and effectiveness, we disagree that this facility should be shuttered simply because the product is uncompetitive. Instead, we believe this makes Lordstown an excellent candidate for a more competitive vehicle and urge GM to invest in this facility. We note with concern that GM has increased its Mexican-based production in recent years, including of the Blazer, and we ask you to consider Lordstown as an alternative assembly facility for vehicles intended for U.S. consumers. We believe Lordstown is well-suited to manufacture SUV or cross-over vehicles or next generation cars. As GM continues to evaluate the company's next steps with respect to the Lordstown plant, it is critical that the workers and communities affected by any company decisions understand the short- and long-term implications of the announcement and its full impacts. Only with complete information can the Mahoning Valley as well as the numerous Ohio businesses and communities who stand to lose jobs and investment as part the Lordstown closure effectively respond to, and recover from, changes to production at Lordstown. To that end, we request that GM provide comprehensive answers to the following questions. Current Status of the Lordstown Plant Given the high rankings earned by Lordstown, what factors other than poor sales of the Chevy Cruze contributed to GM's decision to unallocate this facility in particular? Given that GM made the decision to unallocate Lordstown unilaterally, why has GM suggested which you reinforced in our meeting that GM cannot unilaterally reverse this decision? What is the average amount of time that unallocated GM facilities remain in that status? What factors will GM take into consideration in determining whether to allocate another vehicle to Lordstown? Will Lordstown's status as GM's top performing plant for quality according to J.D. Power 2018 data be taken into consideration? If GM ultimately makes the unfortunate decision to close Lordstown, how much will it cost the company to shut the facility? How long is that process expected to take? Job and Supply Chain Impacts In our meeting, you mentioned that there are only 1,000 laid off employees company-wide. This seems inconsistent with the data we have on the second and third shift Lordstown workers. Please provide a breakdown of the status of the currently laid off Lordstown workers (i.e. whether they have retired, were relocated to another plant, or are still looking for work). All suppliers to Lordstown will be affected by this announcement in some way, therefore what are the names and locations of the Chevy Cruze Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers that GM expects to be adversely affected, and in particular those disproportionately so, by the decision? What is GM's estimate of the number of layoffs at those supplier companies as a result of Lordstown's upcoming unallocated status? In our meeting, you agreed to keep us up to date on Lordstown's status. Will you commit to communicating openly to Lordstown employees, the Cruze supply chain companies, and the affected communities about the future of the plant throughout the unallocation process? How many Ohio workers will lose their jobs both at GM and throughout the supply chain if GM goes through with the 8,000 announced layoffs in 2019? Future of the Lordstown Plant GM has justified the layoff announcement by saying the company plans to move away from small cars and increase its focus on next generation vehicles, like electric and autonomous cars. Does GM expect to produce electric vehicle sedans or will it focus on producing electric SUVs or crossover vehicles? What would be the cost, if any, of retooling the plant to produce an electric vehicle of comparable size to the Chevy Cruze? We have seen a video of the groundbreaking of the brand new paint shop being built at GM's Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico, presumably for the Blazer. What is the cost of building that new paint shop? Will you commit to producing in the United States all of GM's electric vehicles for sale in the United States? Please respond to these questions no later than December 21, 2018. We want Lordstown workers, their families, and the impacted communities to have the information they need to prepare for any consequences of GM's announcement. We appreciate your willingness to keep an open mind about the future of Lordstown. GM could decide today that Lordstown will remain an important asset in the company's future, and we hope you do so. We are committed to working with you to keep the plant open. Sincerely, Sherrod Brown United States Senator Rob Portman United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senate-passes-2018-farm-bill-with-brown-portman-provision-to-increase-central-state-funding-,"Senate Passes 2018 Farm Bill with Brown, Portman Provision to Increase Central State Funding",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senators Secured Provision That Would Ensure Central State Receives Increased Funding From USDA That It Was Previously Denied; Bill Is Set to Pass House, Then Head to President's Desk for Final Signature Tuesday, December 11, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) announced that they secured a provision in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, more commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill, to increase research funding for Central State University. For more than 100 years, Central State University was denied 1890 Land Grant status, meaning it was ineligible for funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its innovative scientific research. Brown and Portman's provision corrects that oversight and increases the amount of formula funding that Central State will be able to receive from USDA, while not jeopardizing the funding of any other 1890 Land Grant. The House is set to pass the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, then it heads to the President's desk for final signature. Our amendment is a commonsense fix to a historical oversight, and it will ensure that one of Ohio's great universities gets its fair share of federal education dollars,said Brown. Central State University serves an important role in food and ag research and development in Wilberforce and throughout Ohio, said Portman. Central State deserves to be treated in the same way as other historically black colleges when it comes to accessing federal funding under the Farm Bill, and I was pleased this important amendment was included. As a member of the committee tasked with reconciling the differences between the House and Senate versions of the 2018 Farm Bill, Brown has been fighting to ensure Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) like Central State University are able toexpand their research capacity and outreachin this year's Farm Bill. Brown secured an amendment in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to create six Centers for Excellence and Leadership on campuses like Central State. The amendment was based on the bipartisanREAL Opportunity Act, which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) and Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO). Learn more about the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senate-passes-final-farm-bill-with-key-brown-provisions-to-protect-lake-erie-ohio-water-quality,"Senate Passes Final Farm Bill with Key Brown Provisions to Protect Lake Erie, Ohio Water Quality",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Farm Bill Includes Brown's Provisions to Improve Water Quality in Lake Erie, Across the State; Final Farm Bill Set to Pass House, Head to President's Desk to be Signed into Law Tuesday, December 11, 2018 WASHINGTON, DC Today, the Senate passed the final 2018 Farm Bill that includes U.S Senator Sherrod Brown's (D-OH) provisions to protect Lake Erie and water quality across the state of Ohio. The final bill includes provisions from Brown's bipartisan Give Our Resources the Opportunity to Work (GROW) Act, which will better utilize existing federal water programs to protect waterways and expand access to quality farmland. The final Farm Bill is set to pass the House next before it heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. This bipartisan bill is good for farmers, good for taxpayers, and good for Lake Erie, Brown said. I'm proud of our work to keep Lake Erie and Ohio waterways clean for the businesses, farmers and residents who rely on them, while also maintaining quality farmland for Ohio farmers. Brown, as a member of the committee tasked with reconciling the differences between the House and Senate versions of the 2018 Farm Bill, fought for provisions that protect Lake Erie and help improve water quality for Ohio families. The final bill includes Brown's provisions to: Create a new Clean Lakes, Estuaries, and Rivers (CLEAR) program to better promote water quality. This prioritizes enrolling lands in the Conservation Reserve Program that will best prevent runoff and protect water quality. Authorize advanced payments for beginning farmers as a part of the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). This program would reserve funding for conservation practices that protect drinking water. Include reforms to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), which would prioritize cover crops and crop rotations. Authorize increased payments for the top 10 high-priority practices that protect the environment. Increase funding to preserve farmland for future generations. The provisions included in the 2018 Farm Bill are based on Brown's water quality improvement bill, the Give Our Resources the Opportunity to Work (GROW) Act. These efforts will improve federal conservation programs and better support Ohio farmers by reforming the three largest conservation funding programs to protect waterways while expanding access to quality farmland. More information on the final Farm Bill can be found HERE. Brown is the first Ohioan to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in more than 40 years. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/video-brown-takes-to-senate-floor-to-fight-to-secure-benefits-for-ohio-veterans-exposed-to-agent-orange,VIDEO: Brown Takes To Senate Floor to Fight to Secure Benefits for Ohio Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Brown Continues Push to Ensure All Veterans Who've Been Exposed to Agent Orange Get Care and Benefits They've Earned; Effort Fails Due to GOP Opposition; Brown Vows to Continue Fighting Tuesday, December 11, 2018 Download production-quality video of Senator Brown's floor remarks HERE. WASHINGTON, DC Yesterday evening, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) took to the Senate floor to fight to secure benefits for Blue Water Navy veterans, who were exposed to toxic Agent Orange chemicals during the Vietnam War. In order to receive VA healthcare and disability benefits for conditions resulting from Agent Orange exposure, Blue Water Navy veterans must currently meet a higher burden of proof than veterans who served on land, or on inland waterways. On the Senate floor, Brown joined his colleagues asking for unanimous consent on H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2017. Brown is a cosponsor of the Senate companion legislation, which would ensure these veterans are able to receive the healthcare benefits they need and have earned after their exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. The unanimous consent request was met with Republican opposition; Brown vowed to continue fighting until these veterans are given the benefits they've earned. If you were exposed to poison while serving our country, you deserve the benefits you earned, period. No exceptions, Brown said last night on the Senate floor. In September, Brown met with VA Secretary Robert Wilkie and pressed him on the need to secure benefits for these veterans. Brown also raised the issue during a Veterans' Affairs Committee Hearing in September. Brown's office has held more than a dozen roundtables with veterans across Ohio in the past few months, with Ohio veterans raising the Blue Water Navy issue time and time again. Brown will continue pushing for benefits for Blue Water Navy veterans either through his legislation or administrative action by the VA. Additional Background: A Blue Water Navy veteran is a veteran who served on a ship off the coast of Vietnam. Agent Orange is a toxic herbicide that was widely used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Agent Orange is now widely recognized as causing cancer and other illnesses. Currently, Vietnam veterans who served on land or in inland waterways automatically qualify for healthcare and disability benefits if they've been diagnosed with certain health conditions. However, Blue Water Navy veterans don't automatically qualify, even if they have been diagnosed with the very same illnesses as fellow veterans who served on land. As a result, Blue Water Navy veterans are forced to meet a higher burden of proof and must navigate additional bureaucracy to get the benefits they've earned. This wasn't always the case. Before 1997, the VA treated Blue Water Navy veterans the same as fellow veterans who served on land. However, in 1997, the VA changed its policy denying Blue Water Navy the same presumption of service connection status as those who served on land, or inland waterways. In 2002, the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs commissioned a study which illustrated the process used to produce potable water on Royal Australian Navy ships could increase the concentration of Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, or TCDD a contaminant in Agent Orange. Unfortunately, VA has not accepted the science behind this study and continues to deny benefits to these veterans. Brown's floor remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below: Floor Statement for Senator Sherrod Brown Blue Water Navy Live UC December 10, 2018 Mr./Madame President, We have an opportunity tonight to put partisanship aside, and come together to get something done that will make a real difference in the lives of thousands of veterans. Too many veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange in the line of duty are being denied the benefits they earned serving our country. Right now, because VA changed its policy, Blue Water Navy veterans must meet a higher burden of proof to receive VA healthcare and disability benefits than veterans who served on land, or on inland waterways. They're forced to navigate additional bureaucracy that can delay or even deny them benefits they've earned, simply because of where they served. That makes no sense. If you were exposed to poison while serving our country, you deserve the benefits you earned, period. No exceptions. My office holds roundtables with veterans all over Ohio we've held more than a dozen in the past several months alone and I've heard Ohio veterans raise this issue time and time again. Last month I spoke with one Cleveland veteran, Joe Benedict. He talked about how important these benefits are to veterans like him. And last week, I met with Mike Kvintus, another Blue Water Navy Veteran from Cambridge, Ohio. He is 71 years old, and he came all the way to Washington to talk to members of Congress about what a burden this senseless policy is for his fellow veterans, who have already sacrificed so much for this country. He urged us all to put politics aside, and get this done. I want to thank Senator Tester, Senator Gillibrand, and all my colleagues in both parties who are working to get this fixed. Last year, we introduced the bipartisan Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2017, which would guarantee that all Vietnam veterans exposed to toxic Agent Orange chemicals have equal access to the care and benefits they earned. And I've raised the issue with VA Secretary Wilkie at a meeting in September and at a Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing, pressing him to expand benefits to all Vietnam veterans. Now we have a chance to fix this once and for all, tonight. Mr. Kvintus and Mr. Benedict and all of the veterans who put themselves in harm's way to serve our country shouldn't have to wait another minute. We need to show the American people we can work together, Republicans and Democrats, and we should start by putting partisanship aside and finally getting this fixed for the veterans we serve. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-democrats-send-letter-inviting-president-trump-to-visit-idled-gm,House Democrats Send Letter Inviting President Trump to Visit Idled GM Facilities and Workers,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Democrats Send Letter Inviting President Trump to Visit Idled GM Facilities and Workers WASHINGTON, D.C. Last week, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) joined Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13), and Congressman-elect Andy Levin (MI-09) in sending a letter to President Donald Trump formally asking him to visit the communities impacted by General Motors' decision to idle several North America plants. Respectfully, we invite you to join us to visit the Lordstown Assembly, Warren Transmission, Brownstown Battery, Baltimore Operations and Detroit-Hamtramck plants, to meet the workers who will soon receive pink slips. This idling will impact over 14,000 workers, including the layoff of 3,300 production workers in the United States and 2,500 in Canada, and another 8,000 salaried employees, the Members wrote. We urge your Administration's intervention in every manner possible to seek both short and long-term remedies for these workers, the auto-part supplies that will also be impacted, and the communities sure to be severely impacted by these job losses, the Members continued. Our communities need deliverance on your promises to invest in and restore America's manufacturing might and to put an end to the outsourcing of American jobs. We will work with you and your Administration to reinvest and modernize American auto manufacturing. Thank you for review of this urgent request, the Members concluded. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-statement-fbi-arrests-preventing-potential-terrorist-attacks-ohio,Kaptur statement on FBI arrests preventing potential terrorist attacks in Ohio,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Toledo, Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), released the following statement after news the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made two arrests involving potential terrorist activity in Northwest Ohio, including one potential attack on a Toledo synagogue. I salute the FBI, the Toledo Police Department and our local law enforcement who fulfilled their sworn duty to uphold the U.S. Constitution and defend Americans from enemies both foreign and domestic, said Kaptur. Though some would politicize the FBI's work, its noble motto of Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity' was on full display in Ohio today. A grateful region along with all liberty-loving citizens thank these brave men and women for their service in keeping us safe. Our community and nation cannot tolerate hate in any form. Hate destroys. It is un-American and indeed our Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and association. It imposes no mandated worship and that brilliant idea has helped preserve our Union to date. We must remain dedicated as defenders of liberty and be ever diligent to stamping out hate and bigotry wherever we see it, Kaptur concluded. Read the details of the arrests from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Ohio here and here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/multimedia/watch/brown-takes-to-senate-floor-to-fight-to-secure-benefits-for-ohio-veterans-exposed-to-agent-orange,Brown Takes To Senate Floor to Fight to Secure Benefits for Ohio Veterans Exposed To Agent Orange,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-bipartisan-bill-to-expand-maternal-care-in-underserved-rural-communities-heads-to-presidents-desk_,"Brown Bipartisan Bill to Expand Maternal Care in Underserved, Rural Communities Heads to President’s Desk",2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Brown's Bill Would Identify Areas Lacking Maternal Health Professionals, While Providing Incentives for Providers to Practice in Those Areas; Passage Comes As Recent Report Finds Number of Black Infant Deaths Continues To Rise in Ohio Monday, December 10, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown's(D-OH) bill to expand maternal care in underserved and rural communities is headed to the President's desk, after the Senate passed the bipartisan bill last Thursday. Brown's bill, the Improving Access to Maternity Care Act, would work to identify areas lacking maternal health care professionals and provide incentives for providers practicing in those areas, to help ensure women have access to timely, high-quality maternity care. Passage of Brown's bill comes after a recent Ohio Department of Health report found the number of black infant deaths continued to rise last year. The Improving Access to Maternity Care Act is also sponsored by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and endorsed by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), the March of Dimes, and the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). Healthy pregnancies lead to healthy babies, and no mother-to-be should go without the care she needs, said Brown. This bill will allow us to target maternity care resources where they're most needed, and help ensure healthier pregnancies, healthier mothers, and healthier babies. The Improving Access to Maternity Care Act directs the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to identify and designate maternity care shortage areas so that the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) can then assign maternity care professionals to those areas. Ob-gyns are currently recognized under the primary care shortage designation, which fails to adequately address shortages in maternity care. According to ACOG, babies born to mothers who received no prenatal care are three times more likely to be low birth weight, and five times more likely to die than babies whose mothers received care. Ohio is ranked among some of the worst in the nation for African American infant mortality. In 2017, 982 black infants died before their first birthday. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/icymi-dayton-daily-news-report-underscores-how-browns-bipartisan-efforts-benefit-ohio,ICYMI: Dayton Daily News Report Underscores How Brown’s Bipartisan Efforts Benefit Ohio,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"DDN: Despite all the partisan rancor in Columbus and Washington, a recent spate of announcements by area lawmakers shows the two parties can at times carve out some middle ground. Monday, December 10, 2018 In case you missed it, the Dayton Daily News today highlighted the bipartisan work of Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) as he works with Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH-10) and others to achieve significant victories for Ohio. Dayton Daily News reporter Lynn Hulsey points to the work of Brown, Portman and Turner to secure hundreds of jobs in Ohio with the designation of the F-35 Hybrid Product Support Integrator (HPSI) Organization at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Brown's bill with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) to protect small businesses from predatory lending practices, as well other efforts by Brown to reach across the aisle and do what's best for Ohio. If you only watch cable news, you wouldn't think anything bipartisan is getting done in Washington, Brown said. But there are plenty of issues where we put partisanship aside and make progress. Read the full story and see photos HERE. Dayton Daily News: Lawmakers put partisan differences aside in recent series of area announcements ByLynn Hulsey Monday, December 10, 2018 Despite all the partisan rancor in Columbus and Washington, a recent spate of announcements by area lawmakers shows the two parties can at times carve out some middle ground. Not all issues are really partisan in nature. Not every issue is ideological, said Mark Caleb Smith, director of the Center for Political Studies at Cedarville University. In those areas, the parties are more likely to work together, especially when a local area is likely to be affected by an act of the government. Arelegislators and those who served in years past say the bulk of what the Ohio General Assembly and the U.S. Congress accomplish happens without sparking headline-making political battles over hot-button issues like abortion, taxes, or immigration. The vast majority of bills that we pass almost everybody supports, said Ohio House Minority Leader Fred Strahorn, D-Dayton. Rep. Jim Butler, R-Butler, recently appeared at a press conference with Strahorn to announce a bill aimed at stopping or slowing down the demolition of Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton. Butler said plenty of issues can attract bipartisan support if legislators keep in mind the interests of the state's residents. He said Strahorn, shares my desire to attempt to reopen Good Samaritan Hospital for the people of Dayton. It does not matter that Leader Strahorn is a Democrat and that I am a Republican our end goals are the same, Butler said. We see the same problems and can agree on potential ways to rectify them. I am honored to be working with him. On Tuesday U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Rob Portman, R-Ohio, joined U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, in announcing that Wright-Patterson Air Force Base had been picked by the U.S. Air Force as the preferred location for the F-35 Hybrid Product Support Integrator organization, which could bring about 400 jobs to Wright-Patt. Engagements like those work because they're so big and they have such an importance to a region or a community, Strahorn said.Wright-Patt is the biggest employer in the region. And Good Sam has the potential to have a huge impact, both to the economy of that community and the spirit and health of the community. In an emailed statement, Turner said he often works with Brown and Portman to deliver wins for the community. Last week we were able to get a bill naming the federal building in downtown Dayton after Judge Walter Rice headed to the President's desk, Turner said. This year we worked as a team to bring the largest expansion project ever to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for a new $182 million building at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center. Turner said he's also worked with Democrats on legislation addressing sexual assault in the military, substance abuse and other issues. Portman last week announced a partnership with Democrat Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire on a cybersecurity bill. Meanwhile, Brown co-sponsored a bill with U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., aimed at protecting small businesses from predatory lenders. I have introduced more than 240 bills, and more than 200 of which have been bipartisan, Portman said. In just the last two years, I've gotten more than 25 bills signed into law, including two notable ones on preventing online sex trafficking and combating the opioid crisis. So I've worked hard to find common ground and move these legislative priorities forward in a bipartisan way. Brown said he's been the sponsor or co-sponsor on more than 20 bills that became law, and also works closely with Republicans on a number of committees, such as the joint House-Senate conference committee that wrote the final National Defense Authorization Bill. He serves as co-chairman of the Joint Select Committee on Pensions alongside Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. If you only watch cable news, you wouldn't think anything bipartisan is getting done in Washington, Brown said. But there are plenty of issues where we put partisanship aside and make progress. However, on controversial subjects, none of those interviewed expressed optimism that bipartisan collaboration will become the norm anytime soon. There is a trend toward greater polarization, greater partisan division in recent years, said Christopher Devine, assistant professor of political science at the University of Dayton. Former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft said polarization is both encouraged and aggravated by social media and cable news channels that split along partisan lines. I just think the incessant battle for control of the House and Senate interferes with bipartisanship in important ways, said Taft, a Republican who is a distinguished research associate at the University of Dayton. A lot of the major issues are addressed with two warring camps battling, firing over the barricades at each other. In some quarters up in Congress, collaborating, partnering or being seen with the other party is like a negative. Taft served in the Ohio House in the late 1970s when Democrats held the majority. One of his colleagues was Paul Leonard, a Democrat who later became Dayton mayor and Ohio's lieutenant governor. Tom Roberts, a Democrat who served first in the Ohio House and later the Senate, was a member of the House when his party lost the majority in 1994. Leonard and Roberts remember a greater spirit of bipartisanship than Taft recalls during the tenure of Democratic control under former House Speaker Vern Riffe Jr. But all three say compromise occurred more often under Republican House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson because the chamber was more evenly divided politically. That kind of deal-making isn't needed when one party easily controls the legislature and the agenda, said Roberts, who is now NAACP Ohio Conference president. Leonard and the others also said there was more socializing across party lines and that also helped humanize members of the other party. There was much more respect, in my opinion, among and between politicians, said Leonard, who now teaches political science at Wright State University. Former U.S. Rep. Tony Hall, D-Dayton, said bipartisanship would improve if there were more civility in politics, suggesting that more politicians should follow the example of former President George H.W. Bush, who died Nov. 30. Portman agreed, saying that was one of the most important lessons he learned from the Republican former president. I think both parties need to step back from the brink and bring greater civility to our political discourse, he said. If we do so, then we can start to have a more productive conversation about some of these bigger issues where there is a stronger partisan divide. Staff writer Jim Otte contributed to this report. Read the full story and see photos HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/kaptur-leads-house-colleagues-letter-inviting-trump-visit-idled-gm,Kaptur leads House colleagues in letter inviting Trump to visit idled GM facilities and workers in Ohio and Michigan,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) has sent a letter with four colleagues to President Donald Trump, formally asking him to visit the communities impacted by General Motors' decision to idle several North America plants.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-leads-house-colleagues-letter-inviting-president-trump-visit,Kaptur leads House colleagues in letter inviting President Trump to visit idled GM facilities and workers,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Dean of the Ohio Delegation and Co-Chair of the Auto Caucus, today sent a letter with four of her colleagues to President Donald Trump formally asking him to visit the communities impacted by General Motors' decision to idle several North America plants. The letter was signed by Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Rep. Tim Ryan (OH-13), Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03) and Rep.-Elect Andy Levin (MI-09). Respectfully, we invite you to join us to visit the Lordstown Assembly, Warren Transmission, Brownstown Battery, Baltimore Operations and Detroit-Hamtramck plants, to meet the workers who will soon receive pink slips. This idling will impact over 14,000 workers, including the layoff of 3,300 production workers in the United States and 2,500 in Canada, and another 8,000 salaried employees, the Members wrote. We urge your Administration's intervention in every manner possible to seek both short and long term remedies for these workers, the auto-part supplies that will also be impacted, and the communities sure to be severely impacted by these job losses, the Members continued. Our communities need deliverance on your promises to invest in and restore America's manufacturing might and to put an end to the outsourcing of American jobs. We will work with you and your Administration to reinvest and modernize American auto manufacturing. Thank you for review of this urgent request, the Members concluded. Read the full letter here: 12.7.18 OH & MI Pres. Invite to Tour Idled GM Facilities.pdf The letter comes after Kaptur, joined by several of her colleagues, held a press conference on November 29 and issued a call for immediate action from President Trump. Watch that press conference here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-announces-13th-district-congressional-app-challenge,Congressman Tim Ryan Announces 13th District Congressional App Challenge Winners,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Akron, OH Congressman Tim Ryan is proud to announce the winning team for the 2018 Congressional App Challenge: Ben Engdahl, Ean Eisenzimmer, Kaleb Wells, and Noah Klein from the National Inventors Hall of Fame High School. Their app entitled Anonymous Security Center allows students to anonymously report problems to teachers and administrators that could potentially jeopardize school safety. To view the students' submission video, click here. Every year, I'm always amazed by the creativity and ingenuity of our students. This year was no different. I want to congratulate Ben Engdahl, Ean Eisenzimmer, Kaleb Wells, and Noah Klein from NIHF STEM High School in Akron for their work on this impressive app and efforts in enhancing school safety,said Congressman Ryan.I also want to commend the goals of the Congressional App Challenge, which is to ensure continued growth and innovation in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields and to encourage students to excel in those occupations. I really enjoy inventing things, coding gives me a chance to be creative, said Ben Engdahl. We all played to our strengths during the challenge in order to work towards making a quality product, said Ean Eisenzimmer. I feel like our team was able to use collaboration skills to their fullest while participating in the challenge, said Kaleb Wells. I really enjoyed working with my friends, on a project that can actually help people, said Noah Klein. About The Congressional App Challenge: The Congressional App Challenge was created because Congress recognized that STEM and computer-based skills are essential for economic growth and innovation, and that the U.S. has been falling behind on these fronts. By some estimates, the U.S. may be short by as many as a million programmers by 2020. These are high-paying, high-demand jobs. To maintain American competitiveness, it's crucial that the U.S. invests in our youth now and helps them acquire the skills necessary to pursue these careers in the future. This nationwide competition highlights the creativity and talent of the students in each Congressional District, with each district selecting a winner(s) and their app to be prominently featured at the U.S. Capitol. Congressman Ryan was one of two Congressional Co-Chairs for this year's challenge. Recognizing the racial, gendered, and other disparities in the tech sector, the CAC also focuses on inclusivity and making the Challenge widely accessible to students from all backgrounds. For more information about the Congressional App Challenge, please visitwww.CongressionalAppChallenge.us.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-urges-president-trump-visit-lordstown,Congressman Tim Ryan Urges President Trump to Visit Lordstown,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Youngstown, OH Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) today formally invited President Donald Trump to visit Lordstown and the other communities impacted by General Motors' decision to idle several North America plants. The letter was signed by Rep. Tim Ryan (OH-13), Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03) and Rep.-Elect Andy Levin (MI-09). Respectfully, we invite you to join us to visit the Lordstown Assembly, Warren Transmission, Brownstown Battery, Baltimore Operations and Detroit-Hamtramck plants, to meet the workers who will soon receive pink slips. This idling will impact over 14,000 workers, including the layoff of 3,300 production workers in the United States and 2,500 in Canada, and another 8,000 salaried employees, the Members wrote. We urge your Administration's intervention in every manner possible to seek both short and long term remedies for these workers, the auto-part supplies that will also be impacted, and the communities sure to be severely impacted by these job losses, the Members continued. Our communities need deliverance on your promises to invest in and restore America's manufacturing might and to put an end to the outsourcing of American jobs. We will work with you and your Administration to reinvest and modernize American auto manufacturing. Thank you for review of this urgent request, the Members concluded. Read the full letter here. The letter comes after the Members held a press conference on November 29 and issued a call for immediate action from President Trump. Watch that press conference here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-university-toledo-earns-430000-federal-health-research-grant,"Kaptur: University of Toledo earns $430,000 federal health research grant",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Toledo, Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), today announced a $434,739 National Institutes of Health research grant for the University of Toledo. The award is the first part of a five-year grant distributed by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research that will go toward research to protect people against oral disease. When we invest in scientific research, we can create healthier outcomes for the American people, said Kaptur. I applaud the efforts of the University of Toledo and the researchers doing this path-breaking work. Through federally funded research, Northwest Ohio is positioning itself as a leader in developing strategies that lead to improved health outcomes. As this important work continues, I'll do everything I can in Washington to support our local research institutions. Dr. Heather Conti, UT assistant professor of biological sciences, will investigate the role blood platelets play in the body's natural defense against oral candidiasis, also known as thrush. Conti's research is particularly aimed at helping cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, both of which can destroy mucous membranes in the mouth leading to patients developing painful and potentially serious fungal infections. Unfortunately, many patients who develop this condition choose to forego their cancer treatment. It can actually have a direct link to cancer prognosis because the symptoms are too hard to deal with, Conti said. The immune response to oral candidiasis is quite complicated. If platelets play an important role, we need to understand that response. The hope would be to develop therapeutics that not only kill the fungus directly but can also bolster the immune response. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-senator-sherrod-brown-announce-108-million-build-grant,Congressman Tim Ryan & Senator Sherrod Brown Announce $10.8 Million BUILD Grant for Youngstown,2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced a $10,853,192 million BUILD Grant for Youngstown, Ohio. These funds are to support a critical infrastructure project that will provide autonomous transit shuttles, transit waiting environments, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, green infrastructure such as permeable surfaces and LED lighting, streetscaping, and wayfinding to connect anchor institutions such as Youngstown State University, Mercy Health, Youngstown Business Incubator, and Eastern Gateway Community College. These funds are a part of the Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grants Program, formerly known as the Transportation Investing Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. This $10.8 million federal investment will prove to be truly transformative for the City of Youngstown and the entire region. According to projections made by Youngstown State University, the project will support more than $250 million in economic development over the next decade by connecting all of the major downtown economic players with a central transportation hub. This announcement was the culmination of the most robust public-private partnership in the Youngstown area in decades. I want to thank Mayor Brown and the teams at YSU, Mercy Health, The Chamber of Commerce, and the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments for their steadfast belief in this project. That dedication is what got this over the finish line. I'm thrilled to have been in the trenches with them fighting for this critical funding, said Congressman Ryan. Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley are an innovative hub of higher education, healthcare, entertainment and advanced manufacturing. This project will invest in the transportation infrastructure needed to reinvigorate downtown Youngstown and beyond, said Senator Brown. I'm proud to support the local and regional partners who have brought this transformative project together. I look forward to seeing the SMART2 Corridor serve the region's residents, visitors, and businesses. This funding from the BUILD Grant will be a true impact on Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. This is an economic catalyst for our community and for future investment. This is an example of what happens when we work together and put our differences aside and build true partnership for a common goal, saidJamael Tito Brown, Mayor of Youngstown. For the past three years a dedicated team of economic development and community planning professionals from Youngstown's anchor institutions have worked tirelessly for this award. Youngstown State University is honored to have worked alongside our partners from Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, Mercy Health, Youngstown Business Incubator, Western Reserve Transit Authority, and the Diocese of Youngstown to prepare a winning proposal that will transform Youngstown's transportation infrastructure for the 21sr century, said Jim Tressel, President of Youngstown State University. Eastgate is excited to be the recipient of the $10.85 million USDOT BUILD Grant for the SMART2 Network. This grant will allow us to capitalize on the synergy in our urban core and expand the connectivity to the entire Mahoning Valley. This would not be possible without the hard work and resiliency of our partners, Youngstown State University, City of Youngstown, Western Reserve Transit Authority and Mercy Health and the strong support from our legislators, Senator Rob Portman, Senator Sherrod Brown, Congressman Tim Ryan, and Congressman Bill Johnson, said Jim Kinnick, Director of the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments. September 28, 2018: Congressman Tim Ryan hosted the Youngstown Delegation before they met with the Department of Transportation to discuss the BUILD Grant. In early July of this year, Congressman Ryan wrote to the Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao, urging the Department of Transportation to grant federal funds to support the development of this project. Congressman Ryan played a key role in coordinating meetings with the Department of Transportation and the City of Youngstown BUILD Grant team.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-urges-quick-senate-passage-blue-water-navy-vietnam,Congressman Tim Ryan Urges Quick Senate Passage of Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act,2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) today urged Republican Senate Leadership to stop playing politics and pass the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act (H.R. 299). The bill would provide benefits to 90,000 Blue Water Navy veterans who were exposed to dioxin -- also known as Agent Orange -- during the Vietnam War. As the 115th Congress draws to a close, the legislation is stuck in the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, and is at risk of expiring with the end of the Congress which would put the effort back to square one. Our veterans have put their lives on the line in defense for our freedoms and security. As a nation, we can honor their service and sacrifice by holding up our end of the bargain and providing them the care they have earned. The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act is a chance to show our thanks, said Congressman Ryan. I'm extremely disappointed that the Senate is poised to abandon their duty to these men and women by failing to pass this important legislation by the end of the 115th Congress. All too often members of this Congress are willing to pay lip service to the sacrifices our military and military veterans make, then fall into the trap of playing politics when there's a chance to actually do something to help them. I've had enough of that. Pass this bill. In addition to being a cosponsor of the original House Bill, Congressman Ryan wrote a letter to VA Under Secretary of Benefits Paul Lawrence in August of this year urging department to extend benefits to Navy veterans exposed to dioxin. Congressman Ryan also joined a letter with his colleagues in October calling on Senator Johnny Isakson, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, to pass the bill out of committee so the full Senate could vote on it. H.R. 299 passed the House on June 25 of this year by a unanimous vote of 382-0.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-and-rubio-announce-legislation-to-protect-small-businesses-from-predatory-lenders,Brown and Rubio Announce Legislation to Protect Small Businesses From Predatory Lenders,2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Thursday, December 6, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today,U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced legislation to protect small businesses by codifying the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) 1985 ban on confessions of judgement in consumer loan contracts and extending the ban to include small business borrowers. Confessions of judgment require a borrower to give up her rights in court before obtaining a loan, and allow the lender to seize the borrower's assets without warning in order to satisfy the debt. Although many states have banned this practice for small business loans as well as individuals, borrowers are still exposed because the FTC left open a loophole. That loophole has allowed predators to devastate small businesses across the country. The Small Business Lending Fairness Act closes the loophole, and provides small businesses with the same protections consumers already have. Last month, Bloomberg published an in-depth investigative report on this shady small business lending tactic which has allowed creditors to wipe out tens of thousands borrowers with no notice or opportunity for defense. The Small Business Lending Fairness Act: Codifies the FTC's 1985 ban on confessions of judgment in law in consumer loan contracts, and Expands the ban to provide these protections to business borrowers as well. When we let financial predators harm hardworking Americans through scams like confessions of judgment, we undermine the dignity of work that makes this country great, said Brown. This bipartisan bill ensures that consumers and small business owners benefit from protections that prevent predatory lenders from stripping away their hard earned money under cover of night. With this new bill, we are taking another step in protecting America's small businessesthe foundation of our economyby preserving the right of a business to be heard in the court of law before a potential credit default, Rubio said. I remain committed to protecting our small businesses, and I hope my colleagues will join me in this effort by passing this bill. More information on the bill can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-announces-20-million-in-federal-funding-for-monroe-county-infrastructure-project,Brown Announces $20 Million in Federal Funding for Monroe County Infrastructure Project,2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Funds will Support Economic Development Efforts in Hannibal, Ohio Thursday, December 6, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced $20 million in new federal funding for the town of Hannibal, Ohio to invest in its rail transloading project. This funding will allow the Ohio Rail Development Commission to construct a railyard and pipeline facility in order to increase the Long Ridge Energy Terminal's capacity and connect it to existing rail infrastructure. This will give the area's energy exports, including natural gas, better access to global markets. Brown wrote to the Department of Transportation in July in support of this project. When our rural communities have up-to-date infrastructure, it helps them grow and support local jobs, said Brown. This project will have a significant economic impact on Hannibal andacross Southeast Ohio. The project will construct a pipeline-to-rail transloading facility at an energy terminal including truck racks with unloading bays, ladder tracks connecting to the recently constructed loop track, and rail loading arms. The funding for the project was made available through the Department of Transportation's (DOT) through the Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants program. Brown serves as Ranking Member on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, which oversees public transit. In March, heunveiled a new infrastructure proposal that would expand infrastructure investments through the TIGER Grant Program, now called the BUILD program. BUILD Transportation grants replace the pre-existing Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. FY 2018 BUILD Transportation grants are for investments in surface transportation infrastructure and are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant local or regional impact. BUILD funding can support roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports or intermodal transportation. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-announces-more-than-96-million-for-geauga-county-infrastructure,Brown Announces More Than $9.6 Million for Geauga County Infrastructure,2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Funds will go Toward Construction of Safety Modifications on Roadways Thursday, December 6, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $9,651,000 to Geauga County through the Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants program.The project will construct safety modifications on roadways in Geauga County to address conflicts between motorized vehicles and non-motorized buggies. It is important that we improve the safety, accessibility, and mobility of Ohio's rural infrastructure, said Brown. I will continue to fight to make sure that every community has the support needed to maintain safe and accessible roadways. The modifications include creating non-motorized buggy lanes, implementing advanced motorist alert systems, installing conflict warning systems with flashing beacons, and posting school-zone and pedestrian warning signs on roadways. Brown serves as Ranking Member on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, which oversees public transit. In March, heunveiled a new infrastructure proposal that would expand infrastructure investments through the TIGER Grant Program, now called the BUILD program. BUILD Transportation grants replace the pre-existing Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. FY 2018 BUILD Transportation grants are for investments in surface transportation infrastructure and are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant local or regional impact. BUILD funding can support roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports or intermodal transportation. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-opening-statement-at-banking-committee-hearing-on-proxy-process-and-rules,Brown Opening Statement at Banking Committee Hearing on Proxy Process and Rules,2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Thursday, December 6, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs delivered the following opening statement at today's hearing entitled Proxy Process and Rules: Examining Current Practices and Potential Changes'. Sen. Brown's remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow: Thank you, Chairman Crapo, and welcome to our witnesses. All too often, we see corporate boards and executives focus on short-term profits, instead of long-term investments in their companies and their workers. We saw pretty clear evidence last week. GM announced it would lay off 14,000 workers and close five plants, including the Chevy Cruze plant in Lordstown, Ohio. In the last two years, GM has laid off nearly 3,000 workers at the Lordstown plant and, after this most recent decision, that number may grow to 4,500 workers who have gotten a pink slip. This decision is devastating for the Mahoning Valley. Meanwhile, GM has spent more than 10 billion dollars on stock buybacks since 2015 more than double what it expects to save from the job cuts and plant closings. Of course, Lordstown workers and their families are angry. The President claimed last year's Republican tax bill would mean more money in workers' paychecks. But, instead we've seen stock buybacks explode this year to a record 894 billion dollars. Executives claim these record buybacks are supposed to reward shareholders, but they don't seem interested in hearing from shareholders when they raise concerns. And the bad corporate decision making doesn't stop with GM and with buybacks and layoffs. Marriott announced on Friday that it had a data breach between 2014 and 2016, affecting 500 million customers, which it only discovered in September. Cyber breaches are so common now that it's routine for Wall Street analysts to estimate the stock price hit companies will take in the week after they announce a breach. Then it's business as usual, and it doesn't even matter that companies can't secure their customers' personal information. These are just the most recent examples of corporate mismanagement and abuse of workers and customers. Excessive executive compensation packages; abuses and scandals that can wreck customers' financial lives like we've seen at Wells Fargo; price gouging for vital prescription drugs like we've seen at the company Mr. Gallagher works forit's clear these corporations aren't making good decisions for their companies, their customers, or their workers. It's why we should foster more shareholder engagement, not less. But, that's not how corporate lobbyists and special interests see it. The Wall Street business model doesn't see workers like those in Lordstown as vital to their companies it sees them as a cost to be minimized. But incredibly, we're here today to discuss how to make it even more difficult for shareholders to hold management accountable. Several bills introduced this Congress undermine shareholders' oversight of the companies they own. Those measures would deny all but the largest shareholders the right to submit proposals for a vote, requiring investors to own billions of dollars of company stock to be eligible to submit a shareholder proposal. Current rules permit small shareholders to submit proposals, but apparently, folks in this town want to stack the deck even further against Main Street, small-time investors. This hearing will also consider proposals that make it harder for institutional investors to have timely access to research and analysis from proxy advisory firms that the investors have hired. These proposals would give corporate interests access to this information before the public retirement systems, investment fund managers, and foundations who manage money for hardworking Americans. You'll hear about errors and inaccuracies in those reports, but what it really amounts to is an effort to make independent analysis less so. That's also the wrong answer. Shareholders of all sizes deserve to have every tool available to hold executives accountableforcing them to think beyond their short-term self-interest, and manage for the long term. Companies, shareholders, workers, and other stakeholders all benefit when the system promotes fairness, communication, and trust. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-portman-bill-honoring-baseball-legend-and-civil-rights-pioneer-larry-doby-with-congressional-gold-medal-set-to-become-law,"Brown, Portman Bill Honoring Baseball Legend and Civil Rights Pioneer Larry Doby with Congressional Gold Medal Set to Become Law",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Doby Was the First African-American to Play in the American League, Effectively Integrating All of Professional Baseball Thursday, December 6, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the Senate passed U.S. Senators Brown (D-OH) and Portman's (R-OH) bill honoring Larry Doby, the first African-American to play in the American League, with the Congressional Gold Medal for his career and contributions to the American civil rights movement. It now heads to President Trump's desk to be signed into law. In joining the American League, Doby effectively integrated all of professional baseball. Larry Doby seldom receives credit for his role in integrating all of professional baseball and it's past time to honor his contributions to both civil rights and America's game, said Brown, who displays in his Washington, D.C. office a replica of the statue of Doby that stands at Progressive Field. Doby's heroism surpasses his remarkable skill he overcame discrimination and hostility to break barriers, leading Cleveland to victory and moving our country in the right direction. As the first African American player in the American League, Larry Doby broke down barriers with his remarkable skill and competitive spirit and forever changed the game of baseball, said Portman.Through sheer determination, Doby became a symbol for the fight for equality in our country, and encouraged thousands of Ohioans and kids across our country to push the boundaries of what they thought possible. I'd like to thank my colleagues in the Senate for approving this bill, and especially my colleague Jim Renacci for his leadership to get this bill done in the House. Lawrence Eugene Larry Doby joined the Cleveland Indians in July 1947, becoming the first African-American to play in the American League. During his 13-year career in the American League, Doby tallied 1,533 games, batting .283, with 253 home runs and 970 runs batted in. He played in two World Series, leading the 1948 Cleveland Indians to a World Championship over the Boston Braves. He was the first African-American player to hit a home run in a World Series game, led the American League in home runs twice, and was voted to seven All-Star teams. In 1978, the Chicago White Sox hired Doby as their manager and he became the second African-American manager in Major League history. He later served as Director of Community Relations for the New Jersey Nets of the National Basketball Association. He was inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2013. Doby was born in Camden, South Carolina in 1923 and moved to Paterson, New Jersey in 1938, where he became a standout athlete at Paterson Eastside High School. He attended Long Island University on a basketball scholarship before enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was discharged in 1946 and went on to play baseball in the Negro National League for the Newark Eagles. Doby passed away in 2003. Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum support the bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-ryan-announce-more-than-108-million-for-youngstown-redevelopment-project,"Brown, Ryan Announce More Than $10.8 Million For Youngstown Redevelopment Project",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Brown, Ryan Pushed to Secure Investments for Youngstown's SMART2 Corridor Project Thursday, December 6, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH-13) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $10,853,192 to the Eastgate Regional Council of Government for Youngstown's SMART2 Corridor project to redevelop critical transportation infrastructure with a new multi-modal network in Youngstown's downtown and central business district. The investment will go toward the purchase of transit shuttles and systems, pedestrian and bicycle facilities and energy efficient technology upgrades that will help provide reliable transportation between Youngstown State University, Mercy Health Hospital, the Youngstown Business Incubator, and Eastern Gateway Community College. These funds are a part of the Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grants Program, formerly known as the Transportation Investing Generating Economic Recover (TIGER) program. This announcement comes after Brown and Ryan pushed the Trump Administration to secure this investment. Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley are an innovative hub of higher education, healthcare, entertainment and advanced manufacturing. This project will invest in the transportation infrastructure needed to reinvigorate downtown Youngstown and beyond, said Brown. I'm proud to support the local and regional partners who have brought this transformative project together. I look forward to seeing the SMART2 Corridor serve the region's residents, visitors, and businesses. This $10.8 million federal investment will prove to be truly transformative for the City of Youngstown and the entire region. According to projections made by Youngstown State University, the project will support more than $250 million in economic development over the next decade by connecting all of the major downtown economic players with a central transportation hub. This announcement was the culmination of the most robust public-private partnership in the Youngstown area in decades. I want to thank Mayor Brown and the teams at YSU, Mercy Health, The Chamber of Commerce, and the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments for their steadfast belief in this project. That dedication is what got this over the finish line. I'm thrilled to have been in the trenches with them fighting for this critical funding, said Congressman Ryan. This funding from the BUILD Grant will be a true impact on Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. This is an economic catalyst for our community and for future investment. This is an example of what happens when we work together and put our differences aside and build true partnership for a common goal, said Jamael Tito Brown, Mayor of Youngstown. For the past three years a dedicated team of economic development and community planning professionals from Youngstown's anchor institutions have worked tirelessly for this award. Youngstown State University is honored to have worked alongside our partners from Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, Mercy Health, Youngstown Business Incubator, Western Reserve Transit Authority, and the Diocese of Youngstown to prepare a winning proposal that will transform Youngstown's transportation infrastructure for the 21st century, said Jim Tressel, President of Youngstown State University. Eastgate is excited to be the recipient of the $10.85 million USDOT BUILD Grant for the SMART2 Network. This grant will allow us to capitalize on the synergy in our urban core and expand the connectivity to the entire Mahoning Valley. This would not be possible without the hard work and resiliency of our partners, Youngstown State University, City of Youngstown, Western Reserve Transit Authority and Mercy Health and the strong support from our legislators, Senator Rob Portman, Senator Sherrod Brown, Congressman Tim Ryan, and Congressman Bill Johnson, said Jim Kinnick, Director of the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments. The funding for the project was made available through the Department of Transportation's (DOT) through the Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants program. FY 2018 BUILD Transportation grants are for investments in surface transportation infrastructure and are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant local or regional impact. BUILD funding can support roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports or intermodal transportation. Brown and Ryan have been working to secure BUILD grants and infrastructure funding for the Mahoning Valley for years. Last year, Brown and Ryan supported investments in the Youngstown's SMART2 Corridor project. Brown also met with Youngstown State President Jim Tressel to discuss the improvements. Brown serves as Ranking Member on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, which oversees public transit. In March, heunveiled a new infrastructure proposalthat would expand infrastructure investments through the TIGER, now BUILD, Grant Program. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/merkley-brown-introduce-legislation-to-stop-government-officials-from-profiting-off-of-their-positions,"Merkley, Brown Introduce Legislation to Stop Government Officials From Profiting Off of Their Positions",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The Ban Conflicted Trading Act Would Put a Stop to Inappropriate Trading Activities in Congress Thursday, December 6, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today introduced the Ban Conflicted Trading Act, new legislation that would prohibit members of Congress from abusing their public positions for personal financial gain. The Ban Conflicted Trading Act responds to multiple scandals in recent years in which members of Congress have been found buying and selling stocks in certain industries, while at the same time crafting legislation that affects those industries. It's way past time to end conflicted trading, in which legislators and top staff trade in stocks while making decisions affecting their value. This is scandalous, said Merkley. It undermines both the integrity of governance and the perception of integrity. Let's end this corruption now! Members of Congress serve the American people, not their stock portfolios, said Brown. Elected officials have access to nonpublic information that can affect individual companies and entire industries. There must be more accountability and transparency to prevent members from using this information and abusing their positions for personal gain. The Ban Conflicted Trading Act would prohibit members of Congress and senior congressional staff from buying or selling individual stocks and other investments while in office. New members would be allowed to sell individual holdings within six months of being elected, and sitting members of Congress would be allowed to sell individual holdings within six months after enactment of the bill. Alternatively, members of Congress can choose to hold existing investments while in officewith no option for trading until they leave officeor transfer them to a blind trust. Members of Congress would still be allowed to hold widely-held investments, such as diversified mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. In addition, the legislation would prohibit members of Congress from serving on any corporate boards while in office. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/congressional-black-caucus-grows-in-size-and-clout-after-blue-wave,Congressional Black Caucus grows in size and clout after blue wave,2018-12-05,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"The Congressional Black Caucus is growing in influence and numbers. Two African Americans Reps. Hakeem Jeffries of New York and James Clyburn of South Carolina were elected chair of the Democratic Caucus and majority whip respectively, making it the first time in history more than one black lawmaker will hold top leadership positions in Congress at the same time. When the Congressional Black Caucus was founded in 1971, I know our 13 founding members dreamed of the day when we would have more than one member in our ranks competing for top leadership positions in Congress, outgoing CBC Chair Cedric Richmond, Democrat of Louisiana said. Today was that day, and I know they are proud. The 116th Congress, which will be sworn in next month with a Democratic majority, includes a record 55 CBC members, including two in top leadership positions and five who will chair full House committees. The CBC has 48 members in the current Congress, all but one of them Democrats, making it the largest legislative caucus. Caucus members who'll chair House committees include Elijah Cummings (Oversight); Maxine Waters (Financial Services); Bennie Thompson (Homeland Security); Bobby Scott (Education and the Workforce) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (Science, Space and Technology). Clyburn, the assistant Democratic leader, is the fourth highest-ranking Democrat in the party's caucus, and one of the most prominent black lawmakers in the lower chamber. There are few Democrats who have done more than Assistant Democratic Leader Clyburn to mentor young members of Congress and make sure that Democrats win elections, Richmond said. The caucus will also have a new chair in Karen Bass of California, making her the CBC's 26th leader and the eighth woman to hold the gavel. Joyce Beatty of Ohio was elected CBC vice chair. I couldn't be happier to call Congresswoman Karen Bass the next chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez said. From fighting for criminal justice reform and child welfare to affordable health care and a stronger economy for all, Karen has devoted her life to serving California families and African American communities across the country. Karen is a proven leader who never backs down and always stands up for the values of inclusion and opportunity for all. Said Richmond: From her days in the California General Assembly where she became the first African American woman in U.S. history to lead a state legislative body, to her work in Congress to address both domestic and international issues affecting people of African descent, Congresswoman Bass has demonstrated tried and true leadership. There's much work to be done next Congress to ensure equality and justice for African Americans and other marginalized communities, and I am confident Congresswoman Bass will continue to provide strong leadership in this regard. I am honored to be elected by my peers as vice-chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Beatty said. As the Conscience of Congress'and the largest, most powerful House Caucusthe Congressional Black Caucus will work to ensure that all Americans are heard and represented. I look forward to helping lead the Congressional Black Caucus in the 116th Congress as we undertake our new majority mandate to lead the nation. This article was originally published by the Charlotte Post on December 5, 2018.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/congresswoman-joyce-beatty-cota-and-osu-pay-tribute-to-rosa-parks-for,"Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, COTA and OSU Pay Tribute to Rosa Parks for 14th Year",2018-12-05,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, the Central Ohio Transit Authority and The Ohio State University presented Ohio's 14th Annual Statewide Tribute to Rosa Parks, The Power of One, on Monday, Dec. 3 at the Fawcett Event Center, and Tuesday, Dec. 4 at the Southern Theatre. A record-breaking number of attendees celebrated The Power of One, at the Community Leaders Forum on Monday evening and heard remarks from Joanna Pinkerton, president/CEO of COTA; Dr. Michael V. Drake, president, The Ohio State University; Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, and Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, U.S. Representative for Ohio's 3rd Congressional District. During his remarks, Mayor Ginther announced the city will name High Street between Broad and Gay Streets Rosa Parks Way in recognition of Parks' courage and transformative action. A studio audience participated in Conversations, a panel discussion titled, Footsteps: We All Have a Role to Play. The panel featured Hasan Jeffries, Associate Professor of History, The Ohio State University; Ginette Rhodes, student, President of The Ohio State University Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and New York Times best-selling author Andrea Davis Pinkney. By shining a light on the legacy of Rosa Parks today, we illuminate the road to tomorrow for those who are walking with strong feet and heads held high. That is Rosa's legacy, Pinkney said. Pinkney's book is titled Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation. The panelists discussed Parks' life as an activist, how small actions can lead to big change, the next generation of civil rights activists, and what steps everyone can take to safeguard equality. Jerry Revish, WBNS 10TV news anchor moderated the discussion, and WOSU-TV recorded the panel discussion to be included in their Columbus Collaborative Series. The annual Children's Assembly on Tuesday morning at the Southern Theatre featured the Columbus Children's Theatre's production of The Ruby Bridges Story, a play by William Goldsmith. Jerry Revish served as Master of Ceremonies. More than 600 students attended from Alpine Elementary School, Easthaven Elementary School, and Hamilton Local Elementary. WBNS 10TV live streamed the assembly. Ohio was the first state to designate Dec. 1 as Rosa Parks Day to honor her life and legacy as the Mother of the Modern Civil Rights Movement. In 2005, then-State Representative Joyce Beatty wrote, advocated and won unanimous support to pass Ohio's legislation in the 50th anniversary year of Mrs. Parks' courageous act. In refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus to a white passenger, she sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the modern civil rights movement. This article was originally published by Mass Transit Magazine on December 5, 2018.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/multimedia/watch/brown-portman-meet-with-gm-ceo-mary-barra-push-company-to-save-lordstown-plant,"BROWN, PORTMAN MEET WITH GM CEO MARY BARRA, PUSH COMPANY TO SAVE LORDSTOWN PLANT",2018-12-05,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-beatty-hosts-community-leaders-forum-recognizing-the-power,Congresswoman Beatty Hosts Community Leaders Forum Recognizing the Power of One,2018-12-04,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Beatty Hosts Community Leaders Forum Recognizing the Power of One Beatty led effort to make Buckeye State first in the nation to recognize Rosa Parks Day WASHINGTON, D.C. Last night, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) held her Community Leaders Forum, Footsteps: We All Have a Role to Play. The Forum recognizes the courage and legacy of the Mother of the Modern Civil Rights Movement, and provides an important venue to discuss the ""Power of One,"" its continuing importance to Central Ohio and the nation, as well as on the legislative work of the upcoming 116th Congress. Special guests Andrea Davis Pinkney, author ofBoycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation; Joanna Pinkerton, President and CEO of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA); Andrew Ginther, Mayor of the City of Columbus; and Dr. Michael Drake, President of The Ohio State University, joined Beatty at the Forum held at the Fawcett Event Center Auditorium. Rosa Parks forever changed the world. She was the embodiment of the Power of One,' Beatty said. Her life and actions on that historic December day is a touchstone moment for me and so many Americansnot to mention people across the world. By sitting down, Rosa Parks stood up for what is right and just. Beatty continued, It is our collective responsibility to honor Rosa Parks and the Power of One' by following in her footsteps. We all have a role to play."" Ginther, Drake, Pinkerton, and Pinkney echoed Beatty's message, highlighting how they too are walking in the footsteps of Rosa Parks and living the Power of One. During the Forum, Ginther made a surprise announcement that High Street, between Broad and Gay Streets, would be renamed Rosa Parks Way in honor of Parks and to celebrate the kickoff of the 15-year anniversary of Ohio's Rosa Parks Day. Beatty's Community Leaders Forum coincides with the State of Ohio's annual observance of Rosa Parks Day, a statewide tribute first conceived by then-State Representative Joyce Beatty. In 2005, Beatty wrote, advocated, and won unanimous support for a bill to designate December 1st as Rosa Parks Day in the Buckeye State. Her piece of legislation was signed into law by former Governor Bob Taft and made the State of Ohio the first state in the nation to recognize Rosa Parks Day. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-meet-gm-ceo-mary-barra,Congressman Tim Ryan to Meet with GM CEO Mary Barra,2018-12-04,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) will meet with GM CEO Mary Barra tomorrow in Washington, DC to talk about GM Lordstown. Last week, GM announced it would close five of its facilities, including one in Lordstown Ohio, affecting over 14,700 jobs. I look forward to having a productive conversation with GM CEO Mary Barra tomorrow. I've heard first-hand from many people in Northeast Ohio how detrimental GM's announcement has been to them. It's not just impacting jobs, but the entire community. It's my hope that Mary Barra and I can find a path forward, bring a new product to the Lordstown plant, and keep these jobs in the Mahoning Valley, said Congressman Ryan. April 2, 2018: The Final Determination by President Trump's EPA on the Appropriateness of the Model Years 2022-2025 Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards under the Midterm Evaluation incentivizing the sale of larger cars and SUVs. This was not a surprise as Secretary Pruitt has questioned climate scientists, eliminating the Clean Power Plan, and now working to roll back fuel economy standards that are reducing carbon pollution. You can read morehere. April 13, 2018: General Motors announced that it was shutting down its second shift. Read Ryan's statementhere. GM's announcement that it would lay off the second shift at the Lordstown plant came just over a year after GM laid off the third shift, or 1,200 workers, at the same facility. April 24, 2018:Ryan called on GM to consider ShareWork Ohio Program, a unique layoff aversion program offered by the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS) for employees impacted by the recently announced layoff of the second shift at GM Lordstown. April 27, 2018:Ryan spoke directly with GM CEO Mary Barrato discuss the loss of GM Lordstown's 2nd shift, potential ways to mitigate the impact on our community, and the long-term future of GM Lordstown. May 11, 2018:Ryan sent a letter to President Trumprequesting that he reverse his decision to scrap fuel efficiency standards that weaken the market for compact cars like the Chevy Cruze. In a letter sent to GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra, Congressman Ryan highlighted ShareWork Ohio's outside-the-box approach to retaining valued employees until demand can return to the industry market. September 12, 2018:Ryan and Brown announced $1.7 million in federal relieffor GM Lordstown workers impacted by GM's layoffs. The funds provided employment and training services to approximately 337 of the 1,686 workers affected by layoffs from the General Motors plant in Lordstown, as well as from three additional auto industry suppliers in northeastern Ohio. August 2, 2018:Ryan and Brown wrote to DOL Secretary Acostaurging the department provide relief for the workers and families in Northeast Ohio. Ryan and Brown encouraged the State of Ohio to apply for the grant. November 19, 2018:Ryan and Mahoning Valley Leaders launched the Drive It Home campaignaimed at bolstering support for GM Lordstown and the Mahoning Valley Workforce. November 26, 2018: GM announced it was shutting down the Lordstown plant. Read Ryan's statement here. November 26. 2018: Ryan called for congressional hearings on GM tax cuts. November 28, 2018: Ryan spoke to Vice President Mike Pence about GM Lordstown. November 29, 2018: Ryan spoke with GM CEO Mary Barra over the phone about the plant's closure. December 4, 2018: Ryan urged President Trump to save GM Lordstown and preserve electric car subsidies.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-urges-president-trump-save-gm-lordstown-and-preserve,Congressman Tim Ryan Urges President Trump To Save GM Lordstown and Preserve Electric Car Subsidies,2018-12-04,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) today urged President Trump to save General Motors' Lordstown Assembly plant and reconsider his threat to end federal subsidies for electric cars. GM recently announced it is closing five facilities across North America, laying off over 14,000 employees, including approximately 1,600 from Lordstown, Ohio. In a letter written to the President, Congressman Ryan expressed his concern that eliminating the electric vehicle subsidy as a punitive action against GM could backfire and make it harder to place a new product at the Lordstown plant. You recently suggested cutting federal subsidies for electric vehicles in an effort to punish GM, but that is not the solution and may, in fact, backfire--making it even harder to land a new vehicle at the Lordstown plant. The Mahoning Valley is depending on you to keep your promises to bring economic growth and development to Northeast Ohio. I am committed to working with you and my colleagues in Congress to craft and implement a cohesive national manufacturing policy, one that makes our economy actually work for American workers--especially the workers of my congressional district, read the letter. Congressman Ryan has urged a comprehensive effort to find a workable solution to these GM layoffs, and has renewed calls for a national manufacturing policy. You can read the text of the full letter here, or below: December 3, 2018 President Donald J. Trump 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Trump, This past week my district received the devastating news that General Motors would close their plant in Lordstown, Ohio in March 2019. Over 1,600 employees will be laid off, indirectly affecting many thousands more jobs in the surrounding communities. But this number does not even begin to quantify the impact this will have on families and our community as a whole. GM has eliminated approximately 3,000 jobs at this plant over the past two years. This news comes weeks before the Christmas Holiday Season leaving many families feeling anxious about what the future holds. Mr. President, decisive action is needed. Our current economic system benefits the wealthy and leaves hardworking Americans behind. We have continued layoffs, stagnant wages, and a pension crisis. Our economy is changing and leaving the hardworking middle class behind. You recently suggested cutting federal subsidies for electric vehicles in an effort to punish GM, but that is not the solution and may, in fact, backfire--making it even harder to land a new vehicle at the Lordstown plant. The Mahoning Valley is depending on you to keep your promises to bring economic growth and development to Northeast Ohio. I am committed to working with you and my colleagues in Congress to craft and implement a cohesive national manufacturing policy, one that makes our economy actually work for American workers--especially the workers of my congressional district. Sincerely, Tim Ryan Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/multimedia/watch/senator-brown-floor-speech-on-lordstown-gm-plant,Senator Brown Floor Speech on Lordstown GM Plant,2018-12-04,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-announces-ohio-priorities-secured-as-conference-committee-nears-agreement-on-farm-bill,Brown Announces Ohio Priorities Secured As Conference Committee Nears Agreement on Farm Bill,2018-12-04,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senator is Fighting for Several Provisions Included in Senate Agriculture Committee's Bipartisan Bill after Meeting with Ohio Farmers around the State Brown is Serving on Conference Committee Charged with Negotiating Final House-Senate Bill Tuesday, December 4, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. On a conference call today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the House-Senate Farm Bill Conference Committee will soon reach a final agreement on the 2018 Farm Bill. As a member of the Conference Committee, Brown has been fighting to secure several key priorities for Ohioans. The final report is expected to pass, then head to the President's desk for final signature. At the beginning of the year, I pledged to get the Farm Bill done, so that we could provide Ohio farmers with the certainty they deserve, said Brown. And I'm proud that this final bipartisan bill will do that. We secured important wins for Ohio dairy farmers, as well as soybean and corn farmers. This final bill will protect funding for critical nutrition programs that feed Ohio families, while also investing in programs to improve water quality in Lake Erie and across the state. Congress should move swiftly so that we can get this bill over the finish line. Brown has been fighting to secure the following priorities in the final 2018 Farm Bill: Brown's Local Food and Regional Market Supply (FARMS) Act Protection for Lake Erie and Improving Water Quality Provisions from Brown's water quality improvement bill, the Give Our Resources the Opportunity to Work (GROW) Act: This legislation will improve water quality in Lake Erie and across Ohio by refocusing federal investments to improve water quality and soil health. These efforts will improve federal conservation programs and better support Ohio farmers by reforming the three largest conservation funding programs to protect waterways while expanding access to quality farmland. Create a new Clean Lakes, Estuaries, and Rivers (CLEAR) program to better promote water quality. This prioritizes enrolling lands in the Conservation Reserve Program that will best prevent runoff and protect water quality. Brown's amendment to ensure that conservation funding targets the best, highest quality projects that reduce runoff and improve water quality in Lake Erie and across Ohio. A Strengthened the Dairy Program Provisions that would make improvements to dairy programs in order to better target support for small- and medium-sized producers: The Farm Bill replaces the Margin Protection Program (MPP) with the Dairy Risk Coverage program, which invests an additional $100 million to improve affordability, flexibility, and effectiveness for Ohio dairy farmers. Feeding Ohio Families Provisions that protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for hungry families in Ohio: Brown pushed to help protect families in need by helping avoid harmful eligibility changes that would force working families to jump through unnecessary bureaucratic hoops. In August, Brown wasappointed to serve as a confereeon the committee tasked with reconciling the differences between the House and Senate versions of the 2018 Farm Bill. Brown is the first Ohioan to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in more than 50 years. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-portman-turner-announce-air-force-has-selected-wright-patterson-for-critical-new-mission-that-will-bring-at-least-400-jobs-to-base,"Brown, Portman, Turner Announce Air Force Has Selected Wright-Patterson for Critical New Mission That Will Bring At Least 400 Jobs to Base",2018-12-04,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Ohio Senators & Congressmembers Pushed Top Air Force Officials to Locate the F-35 Hybrid Product Support Integrator (HPSI) Organization at Wright-Patterson; Lawmakers Say Wright-Patt and Greater Dayton Area are Uniquely Qualified to Carry Out Mission Tuesday, December 4, 2018 WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) and U.S. Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH-10) today announced that the Pentagon has decided to locate the F-35 Hybrid Product Support Integrator (HPSI) Organization at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The new mission will mean at least 400 jobs in Ohio, with the potential for more to be located at the base over the next several years. In April, Brown, Portman, and Turner led the entire Ohio congressional delegation in writing a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson. The lawmakers made the case for Wright-Patt and said the base was uniquely qualified to handle the new mission. In June, Brown, Portman, and Turner, along with other members of the Ohio delegation, met with Secretary Wilson in Washington, where they made the case for Wright-Patt in person. The men and women at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base perform critical acquisition missions supporting our national defense. Secretary Wilson recognized that the base, and the greater Dayton area, provide a unique environment to enable our servicemembers and civilians to continue meeting our national security needs, said Brown. This mission will continue to grow the critical acquisition and technical expertise in the Miami Valley. The Air Force's decision to locate the F-35 Hybrid Product Support Integrator at Wright-Patt is great news for the Dayton region and more than 400 new jobs at the base, said Portman. This decision is a testament to our incredible work force and reinforces the Miami Valley's critical role in supporting our national defense. In addition to bringing high-paying jobs to Dayton, this Support Integrator will help contribute to the effectiveness of our F-35 program. In numerous discussions with Secretary Wilson, I expressed that Wright-Patterson Air Force Base provides the best opportunity of success for this incredibly important mission for our national security, said Congressman Turner. With today's decision to bring the F-35 HPSI Organization to Wright-Patt, at least 400 new jobs will be added to our community as a direct result of our strong bipartisan advocacy. Secretary Wilson's decision to base the new mission here is more than just new jobs for the Dayton regionit's a vote of confidence in the skilled acquisition workforce at Wright-Patterson. This ensures that Wright-Patterson will remain strongly involved in this aircraft program vital to the Air Force and the national defense, said Jeff Hoagland, President & CEO, Dayton Development Coalition. Wright-Patt's highly qualified workforce supports the Air Force's critical national security mission and the base is further supported by the broader Dayton defense community, which is full of engineering and contracting specialists. The lawmakers said that Dayton's research industry and universities have long been the center for developing, acquiring, and sustaining the next level of air superiority to counter U.S. adversaries and, therefore, locating HPSI at Wright-Patt was the best choice for the Air Force. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=1973,Congresswoman Fudge Statement on the Passing of President George H.W. Bush,2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Marcia Fudge,F000455,fudge.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Fudge Releases Statement on the Passing of President George H.W. Bush WASHINGTON Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge released the following statement on the passing of President George H.W. Bush: Today, the country mourns the loss of President George H.W. Bush. His vision, loyalty and love for this country was evident in his life's work as a public servant. The epitome of patriotism, courage and sacrifice, President Bush believed in the American Dream and our strength as a unified nation free of racism, violence and xenophobia. A true gentleman of integrity, his call for a 'kinder, gentler nation' is a message that crossed party lines and showed the moral spirit of a wise and humble leader. My prayers remain with the entire Bush family as we remember and celebrate the life of a World War II veteran, Texas Congressman, CIA Director, Vice President and the 41st President of the United States. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-welcomes-members-ukraine-parliament-northwest-ohio,Kaptur welcomes members of Ukraine Parliament to Northwest Ohio,2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Toledo, Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), as co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, today welcomed several members of the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) to Northwest Ohio. The delegation was organized by the Open World Leadership Center in an effort to strengthen ties and exchange information between the United States and Ukraine. It was truly a pleasure to welcome these representatives of democracy from Ukraine to Northwest Ohio, said Kaptur. We will continue to unite in our efforts to strengthen democracy against all enemies of liberty in Ukraine and across Europe, as well as to bring hope for a brighter, more democratic future for the Ukrainian people. I truly thank this delegation for taking the time to travel to Ohio to increase democratic and cultural exchange between our nations. The visitors were Oleksandr Opanasenko, Ostap Yednak and Yuri Solovei. The group discussed combatting Russian aggression, including the recent crisis of Russia firing on Ukrainian ships and taking several Ukrainian soldiers hostage. Additionally, Kaptur and the members of parliament discussed ensuring the productive development of Ukrainian energy and agriculture sectors, especially among rural women.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-portman-to-meet-with-gm-ceo-mary-barra-this-week-will-press-company-to-save-lordstown-plant,"Brown, Portman to Meet With GM CEO Mary Barra This Week, Will Press Company to Save Lordstown Plant",2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Both Ohio Senators have Committed to Continuing to Push GM to Keep Workers on the Job Monday, December 3, 2018 WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) announced today that they will meet with General Motors CEO Mary Barra on Wednesday afternoon, December 5, 2018, of this week. The meeting will take place in Senator Portman's office. Both Ohio Senators have spoken with Barra, proposed solutions, and urged GM to work with them to save the Lordstown jobs. Last week, GM announced it would lay off its final shift of workers and close its Lordstown plant in March of 2019. Earlier this year, GM announced plans to build the new Chevy Blazer in Mexico on the same day the company ended the second shift at a plant. GM has eliminated nearly 3,000 jobs at the plant over the last two years. If you love this country, you fight for the people who make it work people like the workers at Lordstown. Senator Portman and I are committed to saving these jobs and call on GM to work with us to find solutions, said Brown. Ohio has stood by GM. Now GM needs to stand by Ohio, and the workers who make their company successful. We have the best workers in the world in Ohio, and I'm proud of the workers at Lordstown, said Portman. They have proven themselves time and again, and Senator Brown and I will continue to fight on their behalf. I look forward to continuing our engagement with GM. I hope the company sees the incredible potential in this plant, by keeping it open and bringing other production back to the Valley. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/congresswoman-beatty-marks-rosa-parks-day-convening-community-leaders,"Congresswoman Beatty Marks Rosa Parks Day, Convening Community Leaders Forum",2018-12-01,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Beatty Marks Rosa Parks Day,Convening Community Leaders Forum Honors Rosa Parks and the Power of One On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, an Alabama seamstress, refused to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery, Alabama bus. Her defiance and subsequent jailing sparked the peaceful, 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott that eventually led to the complete desegregation of our nation's public transportation system. Though small in stature, Parks became an enormous figure in the Civil Rights Movement, working alongside Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others to advance civil rights, greater freedom, and opportunities for all Americans. Soon after, Parks earned the title: Mother of the Modern Civil Rights Movement. 50 years later, in 2005, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03), then-State Representative in the Ohio General Assembly, authored legislation to designate December 1st as Rosa Parks Day in the State of Ohiomaking the Buckeye State the first in the nation to formally recognize the Civil Rights icon. Every year since, the State of Ohio pays tribute to Parks and pauses to reflect on the Power of One that each individual possesses to make a difference in the lives of others, our nation, and the world. Rosa Parks forever changed the world. She was the embodiment of the Power of One,' Beatty said. Her life and actions on that historic December day is a touchstone moment for me and so many Americansnot to mention people across the world. By sitting down, Rosa Parks stood up for what is right and just. Beatty continued, It is our collective responsibility to honor Rosa Parks and the Power of One' by following in her footsteps. We all have a role to play."" This year marks the 14th annual statewide tribute to Rosa Parks. Coinciding with this year's statewide tribute, Congresswoman Beatty is hosting a Community Leaders Forum Footsteps: We All Have a Role to Play that will bring local, national and civil rights leaders together for an important discussion on the Power of One and its continuing importance to our community and the legislative work of the upcoming 116th Congress. For more information on the Community Leaders Forum and/or to RSVP,please visit Congresswoman Beatty's events page.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/president-george-hw-bush-sound-judgment-common-sense-and-unflappable,"President George H.W. Bush: Sound judgment, common sense, and unflappable leadership.",2018-12-01,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"The death of former President George H.W. Bush prompted fond memories and profound sympathies from Ohio lawmakers and others. Word of Bush's death came late Friday night. He was 94. Bush, who served one term as the 41st president, from 1989 until January of 1993, had been suffering from a form of Parkinson's Disease. He died just seven months after the death of his wife, Barbara. They were the longest-married couple in presidential history at 73 years. President Donald Trump said in a statement that ""through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service to be, in his words, a thousand points of light illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world. ""With sound judgment, common sense, and unflappable leadership, President Bush guided our Nation, and the world, to a peaceful and victorious conclusion of the Cold War,"" Trump said. ""As President, he set the stage for the decades of prosperity that have followed. And through all that, he accomplished, he remained humble, following the quiet call to service that gave him a clear sense of direction."" Gov. John Kasich ordered that flags be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset for the next 30 days in honor of President George H.W. Bush. Ohioans join with all Americans and millions of people throughout the free world to mourn the death of President George Herbert Walker Bush,"" Kasich said in a statement. ""He will be remembered as a devoted husband and father, a gentleman, a patriot, a public servant, a statesman and a leader. He understood the value and power of each of us and that's why he created a thousand points of light' to encourage us to come together as a nation and lift each other up. Our thoughts are with the Bush family and all those who worked with this great man to make the world a better, safer place. Ohio Governor-Elect Mike DeWine remembered the elder Bush's frequent visits to Ohio, recalling one visit in which the family posed for a picture with him at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. While the group was posing, Bush noticed that DeWine's son Brian had the flap of his jacket pocket turned out. Ever the father, he helped him fix it before the picture was taken, DeWine recalled. ""President Bush said that the definition of a successful life was in serving others, and he urged Americans to reach out to those in need as part of a 'thousand points of light,' DeWine said. President Bush never stopped helping his fellow Americans, and led the way for volunteer efforts in times of disaster or other events, often partnering with his 1992 political rival turned personal friend, President Bill Clinton. He said Bush, who lost his daughter, Robin, to cancer when she was a child, called and offered his condolences when the DeWine's daughter Becky died in 1993. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, spoke of Bush's humility. Like most of the WWII generation, and our veterans today, President George H.W. Bush never bragged about his military record,"" he said. ""He simply dedicated his life to service, and we are all grateful for his commitment to our country. Connie and I send our deepest condolences to the Bush family, and everyone mourning his loss today, including our friend Rob Portman, who served with President Bush. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Jefferson Township, also offered condolences to Bush's family. ""A man of deep conviction, integrity, faith, and patriotism, President Bush was a true statesman who believed in the power of service to others,"" she said. Rep. Steve Stivers said the country woke up this morning to the loss of a true American patriot. George H.W. Bush was the representation of what it means to be a servant leader, said the Upper Arlington Republican. Whether it was serving in the Navy in World War II, as CIA Director and UN Ambassador, or in the White House during the Cold War and Desert Storm, President Bush spent his life dedicated to advancing our country's standing on the world. And Rep. Troy Balderson, R-Zanesville, offered his prayers to Bush's family, friends and the American people. President Bush lived an extraordinary life full of outstanding achievements and commitment to serving this country,"" he said. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, tweeted that Bush's leadership reunified Germany and opened Eastern Europe to democracy without war. ""Millions of people live in democracy today as a result of his actions as president, he tweeted. My prayers are with his family during this difficult time. This article was originally published by WHIOTV-7 on December 1, 2018.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-on-the-passing-of-former-president-george-hw-bush,Statement on the Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush,2018-12-01,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"COLUMBUS, OH - Today, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement on the passing of the 41st President of the United States of America George Herbert Walker Bush: ""I join all Americans in mourning the loss of former President George H. W. Bush. A man of deep conviction, integrity, faith, and patriotism, President Bush was a true stateman who believed in the power of service to others. During this difficult time, I hope his family, friends, and all those who loved him find solace in the countless lives he touched."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-statement-passing-president-george-hw-bush,Kaptur statement on the passing of President George H.W. Bush,2018-12-01,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Toledo, Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), today released the following statement on the passing of President George Herbert Walker Bush: With a heavy but grateful heart, our nation bows its head at this Thanksgiving and holiday season on the passing from this life of its distinguished and honorable patriot son, President George Herbert Walker Bush. A family man, decorated World War II veteran and courageous pilot, he devoted his public life to our nation with honor and grace. Hailing from the privileged Ivy League class, he never exempted himself from duty's call. This brave and affable soul always chose the path that was required for our country's sake, so often at great risk to himself as President, Vice President, Congressman, Ambassador, and CIA Director. Our republic is truly blessed that a citizen of his stature and commitment stood fast at liberty's side. May he, his departed spouse, Barbara, and their family be especially blessed now and always. Kaptur and President George H.W. Bush sharing a happy moment in White House during her early service in Congress. This visit was related to her effort to pass legislation to mint World War II memorial coins to then help raise the initial $7 million in seed money to begin planning the WWII Memorial in Washington DC.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-statement-on-passing-of-president-george-hw-bush,Brown Statement on Passing of President George H.W. Bush,2018-12-01,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Saturday, December 1, 2018 CLEVELAND, OH U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) released the following statement on the passing of President George H.W. Bush: Like most of the WWII generation, and our veterans today, President George H.W. Bush never bragged about his military record. He simply dedicated his life to service, and we are all grateful for his commitment to our country. Connie and I send our deepest condolences to the Bush family, and everyone mourning his loss today, including our friend Rob Portman, who served with President Bush. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/beatty-highlights-the-importance-of-national-diabetes-month,Beatty Highlights the Importance of National Diabetes Month,2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Beatty Highlights the Importance of National Diabetes Month November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country come together to raise awareness on diabetes and its impact on millions of Americans. In response, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement: Did you know that more than 1.5 million Americans will be diagnosed with diabetes this year? That is why it is imperative all people know more about the risk factors, symptoms, and treatment of diabetes. This month and all year long, I encourage you to talk with your doctor about diabetes because we know that early detection is key. To learn more about American Diabetes Month, please visit the American Diabetes Association website. Also, please be sure to join in the conversation online by using #EveryDayReality.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-statement-signing-us-mexico-and-canada-trade-agreement-president,"Kaptur statement on signing of U.S., Mexico and Canada trade agreement by President Trump",2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Dean of the Ohio Delegation and longest-serving woman in Congress, today released the following statement after President Trump signed a new trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada: The same week General Motors announced the idling of five U.S. facilities and cutting 15,000 living wage jobs, including in Lordstown, Ohio, President Trump has claimed premature victory as U.S., Canadian and Mexican officials signed a tentative replacement for NAFTA. This Administration's rush to sign something, creates more uncertainty for working people who have long suffered under NAFTA. Congress will have the final say on trade but from where we stand today, President Trump's campaign promises to working people and the reality of his NAFTA only reinforce this Administration's standard: Say one thing, do another. Globally, will we open closed markets of other nations? Will we equalize the negative impact of the value-added tax? Will tax policy stop favoring outsourcing? Most importantly, will Trump's NAFTA do more for outsourcing and corporate profits than it does for the American worker? Democrats look forward to hearings and oversight of how these questions will truly impact all Americans. The American people are not interested in staged production signing ceremonies, they want an agreement that will create good paying jobs in America and heal economic injustices suffered for the past three decades. ***VIDEO***: Additionally, Kaptur spoke on the House floor last night regarding the signing today. Watch that speech here and reply to this e-mail if you need a high-definition download: https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4763341/ahead-trump-signing-nafta-20-kaptur-calls-continental-trade-deal-lifts-workers",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-statement-nafta-20,Congressman Tim Ryan Statement on NAFTA 2.0,2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) released the following statement in response to the signing of NAFTA 2.0 by President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and outgoing Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in Buenos Aires. This week, the United States was once more painfully reminded of the consequences that accompany bad trade policies. Five GM facilities closed across North America, including GM Lordstown in my district. Hard-working Americans are being left behind while companies continue to profit by moving manufacturing jobs outside of the United States. Changing this reality requires fixing NAFTA. The American people need relief now. Although I'm encouraged that the U.S., Canada, and Mexico have moved to find a solution, the newly signed deal does not go far enough to protect American workers. The current deal lacks substantive provisions to end outsourcing incentives and still needs strengthened enforcement mechanisms. The final text must include strong labor and environmental standards, raise wages for American workers, and remove outsourcing incentives. Without proper enforcement mechanisms, corporations will continue to game the system and create jobs outside of the country. As this deal makes its way to Congress, creating a level playing field for Americans will be my fundamental priority. It's time we put American workers first, said Congressman Ryan.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/-brown-portman-bill-to-rename-dayton-federal-building-in-honor-of-judge-walter-rice-headed-to-presidents-desk-to-be-signed-into-law-,"Brown, Portman Bill To Rename Dayton Federal Building In Honor Of Judge Walter Rice Headed To President’s Desk To Be Signed Into Law",2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Friday, November 30, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the House passed U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman's (R-OH) bill to rename the federal building and courthouse on West 2nd Street in downtown Dayton after Senior United States District Court Judge Walter H. Rice. U.S. Rep. Michael Turner (R-OH-10) introduced the companion legislation in the House. The bill is now headed to the President's desk to be signed into law. Judge Rice has spent his legal career in service to Montgomery County, and it is fitting that the Dayton Federal Building, where he has devoted nearly four decades of his life, bears his name, said Brown. I join Sen. Portman and Rep. Turner in gratitude for Judge Rice's service to Dayton as we work together to honor his legacy. For more than four decades, Judge Rice has been a tireless advocate for justice, the people of Dayton, and the state of Ohio, said Portman. This is a fitting tribute to his life's work, and I join Senator Brown and Rep. Turner in thanking him for his service. I assembled a panel to recommend who to honor in naming the federal building in downtown Dayton, and they unanimously chose Judge Walter Rice, said Congressman Turner. With the help of Senators Brown and Portman, we were able to get this bill across the finish line and to the President's desk. Judge Rice is one of our community's most dedicated public servants and this is a fitting tribute and honor he wholly deserves. President Carter appointed Judge Rice to the U.S District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in 1980. Judge Rice served as Chief Judge of the court from 1996 until 2003. Before joining the federal bench, he served Montgomery County as an Assistant County Prosecutor, a Municipal Court Judge, and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-still-fighting-to-strengthen-anti-outsourcing-rules-in-new-nafta-,Brown Still Fighting To Strengthen Anti-Outsourcing Rules In New NAFTA,2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Friday, November 30, 2018 CLEVELAND, OH Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) reiterated his commitment today to strengthening anti-outsourcing provisions in the text of the updated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in order to prevent American jobs from moving to Mexico. Brown, who has been working with the Administration for months, pointed out that work remains to improve the agreement before Congress votes. Brown said that decades of devastation caused by NAFTA coupled with General Motors' decision this week to lay off 14,000 workers and close five factories including, Lordstown, Ohio demonstrate why getting the best possible deal for American workers in the rewrite cannot be rushed. The Senator said he remains committed to working with the Administration to improve the deal. I've said all along that our number one priority has to be preventing American jobs from moving to Mexico. Decades of devastation caused by NAFTA and GM's recent layoffs underscore how much is at stake for American workers. This is too important not to get right, and that's why I am committed to continuing to fight to strengthen anti-outsourcing rules in the agreement. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-speaks-gm-ceo-mary-barra,Congressman Tim Ryan Speaks with GM CEO Mary Barra,2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) spoke with GM CEO and Chairwoman Mary Barra this morning over the phone. He discussed his disappointment with their decision to close GM Lordstown and lay off approximately 1,518 employees in March 2019. GM's announcement included closing four other manufacturing facilities across North America Michigan, Maryland, and Canada laying off 14,700 people across the five facilities. Congressman Ryan discussed how GM could use the Mahoning Valley's other resources to keep GM jobs in Northeast Ohio, emphasizing on getting a new product to GM Lordstown. On my call with GM CEO Mary Barra, I expressed my frustration and disappointment with GM's decision to close the Lordstown plant. Generations of Northeast Ohioans have worked at this facility, and their recent announcement is devastating to our community. I told Mary Barra that I am focused on bringing a new product to GM Lordstown, and I will work with her and the Trump Administration to get that done this is my highest priority. I described to Mary Barrathat the Mahoning Valley is rich in resources that can help GM stay in Lordstown, whether it's the Youngstown Business Incubator or the Tech Belt Innovation Center, we are second to none when it comes to additive manufacturing and 3-D printing. It doesn't matter how many calls, letters, or meetings it will take, I am committed to finding a solution with GM, this Administration, and Congress to keep our jobs in Lordstown and protect American workers, said Congressman Ryan. After the phone call, Congressman Ryan was joined by his congressional colleagues, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Congressman Sander Levin (MI-09), and Congressman-Elect Andy Levin (MI-09) in a press conference in Washington, DC. They talked about the impact of GM's decision in their communities and urged President Trump to keep his promise and save American manufacturing jobs.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/gallery/photos/sen-browns-constituent-coffee-11-29-2018,Sen. Brown's Constituent Coffee 11-29-2018,2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/multimedia/watch/brown-floor-speech-opposing-kathy-kraningers-nomination-for-cfpb-director,Brown Floor Speech Opposing Kathy Kraninger’s Nomination for CFPB Director,2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-floor-speech-opposing-kathy-kraningers-nomination-for-cfpb-director,Brown Floor Speech Opposing Kathy Kraninger's Nomination for CFPB Director,2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OH,Sherrod Brown,B000944,www.brown.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Thursday, November 29, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs delivered the following floor speech opposing Kathy Kraninger's nomination for Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Sen. Brown warns that Kraninger will continue to be a rubber stamp for this Administration's anti-consumer agenda. Sen. Brown led Senate Democrats to unanimously oppose moving forward with nominating Kraninger to the CFPB. Sen. Brown's remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow: Mr./Mdme. President, Our job in this body, in public service, is to fight for the people we serve. If you're taking a government salary, your job is to fight for the people who make this country work. Wall Street, the big banks, corporate special interests they all have armies of lobbyists at their beck and call. Our job is to fight for ordinary Americans. That's why we created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau after the financial crisis. The Consumer Bureau's job is to crack down on Wall Street predators and shady lenders who prey on hardworking families. The people in this town may have collective amnesia, they may have forgotten the financial crisis and the housing crisis. But families who lost their homes and their retirement savings and their college funds haven't forgotten. The CFPB is supposed to look out for danger before it crashes down on hardworking families and robs them of their homes and their jobs and their pensions. And for its first six years on the job, that's exactly what the hardworking public servants at the Consumer Bureau did. They returned almost $12 billion to more than 29 million Americans who had been scammed and ripped off. The Consumer Bureau follows in this country's proud tradition of progressive achievements, like worker safety laws, overtime protections, collective bargaining rights, social security, and Medicare. But over the last year, Mick Mulvaney has turned an agency meant to stand on the side of the American people into yet another outlet for the financial industry to push its agenda. Mick Mulvaney has said to workers and servicemembers, students and seniors, you're on your own now. Don't expect any protection from us. It's not just an attack on consumer protections. It's an attack on the dignity of work. Americans work hard whether they punch a clock or swipe a badge, make a salary or earn tips. Whether they're raising children or caring for an aging parent. And many workers barely make enough to get by, and they haven't seen a raise in years. They work hard to earn a paycheck, to buy a home, to send their kids to school, and to save for retirement. And every day they find themselves under attack from scam debt collectors and predatory payday lenders, or they see their pensions being raided by hedge fund billionaires. When we let financial predators strip away Americans' hard-earned dollars through fees and scams, we undermine the dignity of work that makes this country great. How can we look Americans in the eye who are taking on that second or third shift, or starting a small business, if their government is going to stand by and let criminals take their hard-earned money? It all comes down to whose side you're on. We know that Mick Mulvaney has been on the side of Wall Street. So now we have to ask ourselves whose side is Kathleen Kraninger on? We tried to get answers from Ms. Kraninger. In her job at the Office of Management and Budget, she oversaw the agencies that ripped children from their families. So we asked Ms. Kraninger to show us what her role was in that horrific policy, and she refused to respond. We asked Ms. Kraninger whose side she was on after a devastating hurricane left millions of American citizens in Puerto Rico without power, water, hospitals, or shelter. We asked her to show us who she was fighting for when the government failed to provide relief. She refused to respond. Then we asked Ms. Kraninger whose side she would be on if she were the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Would she be on Wall Street's and Mick Mulvaney's side, or would she fight for workers, and servicemembers, and students and seniors? It's one of the few questions she did answer. She said I'm quoting her I cannot identify any actions that Acting Director Mulvaney has taken with which I disagree. We know exactly whose side Ms. Kraninger is on. She's with Mick Mulvaney, she's with Wall Street, she's with the payday lenders, she's with the special interests. She is not on the side of the millions Americans, and her neighbors in Ohio, who lost their homes and their jobs and their retirement savings to Wall Street greed. She is not on the side of people who work for a living, she is on the side of big corporations collecting a tax break to send American jobs overseas. Ms. Kraninger has no experience in banking, or finance, or consumer protection. Her one and only qualification is that she will be a rubber stamp for special interests. That is unconscionable. I call on everyone in this body, I call on the President let's find somebody who will take this job seriously, who will fight for the people who make this country work. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z