Editing Rob Portman (section)

==Political positions==
[[File:President Trump and Mrs. Trump Arrive in Ohio (48482687627).jpg|thumb|right|Portman greeting President [[Donald Trump]] in 2019]]

According to the ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', while in the Senate, Portman portrayed himself as a "deficit hawk" and was "considered a centrist-to-conservative Republican" who has typically voted with the party leadership, although he broke with it on a number of issues, including same-sex marriage.<ref name=britannica>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Rob Portman|date=December 15, 2020|author=Gregory Lewis McNamee|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rob-Portman|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica}}</ref> In 2013, Portman was several times described as staunchly conservative.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/15/politics/portman-gay-marriage/index.html|title=One conservative's dramatic reversal on gay marriage|author=Dana Bash|date=March 15, 2013|publisher=[[CNN]]|quote=[Portman has] been a leading Republican voice on economic issues for four decades...the prominent Ohio conservative...Though he is a staunch conservative, Portman}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Richard Socarides|title=Rob Portman and His Brave, Gay Son|magazine=New Yorker|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/rob-portman-and-his-brave-gay-son|date=March 15, 2013|quote=Portman is not only a staunch conservative but also an important member of the Republican Party establishment}}</ref> During the Trump administration, Portman was characterized as a centrist or [[Moderate Republicans (modern United States)|moderate Republican]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zanona |first1=Melanie |title='It wasn't wise': Republicans urge Trump to restart Covid talks |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/07/republicans-trump-covid-talks-427450 |access-date=December 29, 2020 |work=[[Politico]]|date=October 7, 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/senate-moderates-say-getting-closer-health-overhaul|title=Senate Moderates Say They Are Closer on Health Care|last1=Siddons|first1=Andrew|date=June 9, 2017|website=Roll Call|language=en|access-date=July 23, 2018|archive-date=September 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930033704/https://www.rollcall.com/news/senate-moderates-say-getting-closer-health-overhaul|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/332460-what-moderate-gop-senators-want-in-obamacare-repeal/|title=What moderate GOP senators want in ObamaCare repeal|last=Weaver|first=Dustin|date=May 8, 2017|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|access-date=July 23, 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref name=Gomez2020>{{cite news |last1=Gomez |first1=Henry |title=Ohio Democrats Want To Make Their Republican Senator The Next Susan Collins |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/henrygomez/ohio-rob-portman-amy-coney-barrett-senate-2022 |access-date=December 29, 2020 |work=[[BuzzFeed News]] |date=October 26, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> In 2020, Portman's former campaign manager described him as a "proud conservative".<ref name=Gomez2020/> [[Chris Cillizza]], writing in 2014, described Portman as more governance-oriented than campaign-oriented.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cillizza |first1=Chris |title=Rob Portman would probably be a good president. He'd never get elected though. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/12/02/rob-portman-would-probably-be-a-good-president-hed-never-get-elected-though/ |access-date=December 29, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=December 2, 2014}}</ref>

[[GovTrack]] places Portman toward the center of the Senate's ideological spectrum; according to GovTrack's analysis, Portman is the third most moderate Republican in 2017 being to the right of [[Susan Collins]] and [[Lisa Murkowski]] but to the left of his other Republican colleagues.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/robert_portman/400325|title=Robert "Rob" Portman, Senator for Ohio - GovTrack.us|website=GovTrack.us|language=en|access-date=July 23, 2018}}</ref> The [[American Conservative Union]] gives Portman a lifetime 79% conservative grade.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/27008/rob-portman#.W1VYdNhKjMI|title=Rob Portman's Ratings and Endorsements|website=votesmart.org}}</ref> The progressive [[Americans for Democratic Action]] gave Portman a 25% liberal quotient in 2014.<ref name=":0" /> The non-partisan ''[[National Journal]]'' gave Portman a 2013 composite ideology score of 71% conservative and 29% liberal.<ref name=":0" />

According to ''[[FiveThirtyEight]]'', which tracks congressional records, Portman voted in line with Trump's position on legislation 90.4% of the time.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/rob-portman/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625215022/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/rob-portman/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 25, 2017|title=Tracking Congress In The Age Of Trump|last=Bycoffe|first=Aaron|work=[[FiveThirtyEight]]|publisher=[[New York Times Company]]|location=New York City|access-date=December 29, 2020}}</ref> As of October 2022, he had voted with Biden's positions about 61.8% of the time.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bycoffe|first=Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron|date=April 22, 2021|title=Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?|url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422123731/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 22, 2021|access-date=June 17, 2021|website=[[FiveThirtyEight]]|language=en}}</ref> CQ RollCall, which also tracks voting records, found that Portman voted with President Obama's positions on legislation 59.5% of the time in 2011.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.politifact.com/ohio/statements/2012/jan/25/ohio-republican-party/ohio-republicans-say-sherrod-brown-has-voted-obama/|title=Ohio Republicans say Sherrod Brown has voted with Obama 95 percent of the time|work=[[PolitiFact]]|access-date=July 23, 2018|language=en}}</ref> He was one of five Senate Republicans who voted with Obama's position more than half the time.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/collins-murkowski-most-likely-republicans-to-back-obama|title=Collins, Murkowski Most Likely Republicans to Back Obama|last1=Lesniewski|first1=Niels|date=February 4, 2014|work=[[Roll Call (newspaper)|Roll Call]]|access-date=July 23, 2018|last2=Lesniewski|first2=Niels|language=en}}</ref>

===2012 presidential election===
{{see also|2012 United States presidential election}}
Portman was considered a possible pick for vice president on the [[Mitt Romney presidential campaign, 2012|Republican presidential ticket]] in [[2012 United States presidential election|2012]].<ref name="Larison">Larison, Daniel (February 2, 2012) [https://archive.today/20130203161932/http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/2012/02/02/portman-is-the-most-likely-selection-for-vp/ Portman Is The Most Likely Selection for VP], ''[[The American Conservative]]''</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Memmott |first1=Mark |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2012/08/07/158320294/one-clue-to-romneys-veep-pick-whose-wiki-page-is-getting-the-most-edits |title=One Clue To Romney's Veep Pick: Whose Wiki Page Is Getting The Most Edits? |work=[[NPR]]|date=August 7, 2012 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/04/why-rob-portman-will-be-romneys-vice-presidential-nominee/255515/|title=Why Rob Portman Will Be Romney's Vice Presidential Nominee|work=[[The Atlantic]]|date=April 5, 2012|access-date=December 27, 2012}}</ref> [[Chris Cillizza]] wrote that Portman's time in both the [[executive branch|executive]] and [[legislature|legislative branches]] would qualify him for the role.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/the-case-for-rob-portman-to-be-vice-president/2012/07/31/gJQAwM52MX_blog.html|title=The Case for Rob Portman to be vice president|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=July 17, 2012|access-date=December 27, 2012|author=Chris Cillizza}}</ref>

After [[Mitt Romney]] selected [[Paul Ryan]] as his running mate, Portman spoke at the [[2012 Republican National Convention]] about trade and his family business.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com">[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/29/rob-portman-speech-at-201_n_1841585.html "Rob Portman Speech At 2012 Republican National Convention Takes Aim At Obama."] ''The Huffington Post''. August 28, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2012.</ref> On trade agreements, Portman stated: "[[Barack Obama|President Obama]] is the first president in 75 years-Democrat or Republican-who hasn't even sought the ability to negotiate export agreements and open markets overseas. Now why is this important? Because 95 percent of the world's consumers live outside our borders. And to create jobs, our workers and our farmers need to [[exports|sell more of what we make]] to those people."<ref name="huffingtonpost.com" /> In October 2012, Romney spoke at and toured Portman's Golden Lamb Inn.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/mitt-romney-visits-rob-portman-haunted-hotel-235620857--election.html|title=Mitt Romney visits Rob Portman's 'haunted hotel'|publisher=[[Yahoo! News]]|date=October 13, 2012|access-date=December 8, 2012}}</ref>

Portman portrayed President Obama in Romney's mock debate sessions for the general election, reprising a role that he played in the debate preparations of Republican presidential nominee [[John McCain]] in [[2008 United States presidential debates|2008]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/10/03/politics/portman-romney-prep/index.html |title=Romney's sparring partner offers glimpse into GOP debate prep |author=Dana Bash |work=[[CNN]]|date=October 3, 2012 |access-date=January 11, 2020}}</ref>

===2016 presidential campaign===
{{See also|2016 Republican Party presidential primaries}}
In March 2014, [[Larry Sabato]] of the [[University of Virginia Center for Politics]] speculated that Portman might run for president in [[Republican Party presidential primaries, 2016|2016]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/portman-for-president/|title=Portman For President?|publisher=Sabato's Crystal Ball|date=March 6, 2014|access-date=April 12, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/03/republicans-need-a-champion-in-2016-104177_Page2.html#.U0m269vwCIA|title=Republicans Need a Champion in 2016|magazine=[[Politico]] Magazine|date=March 3, 2014|access-date=April 12, 2014|archive-date=April 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413132836/http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/03/republicans-need-a-champion-in-2016-104177_Page2.html#.U0m269vwCIA|url-status=dead}}</ref> In October 2014, students from the [[College of William and Mary]] formed the Draft Rob Portman PAC to encourage Portman to run for president in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2014-11-16/a-couple-of-frat-guys-are-behind-draft-rob-portman|title=A Couple of Frat Guys are Behind 'Draft Rob Portman'|access-date=November 16, 2014|publisher=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]]|date=November 16, 2014}}</ref> However, Portman announced in December 2014 that he would not run for president and would instead seek a second term in the United States Senate.<ref name="LHagen">{{cite magazine|last1=Hagen|first1=Lisa|last2=Railey|first2=Kimberly|title=The Congressional Tease Caucus: 9 Members Who Think (but Never Act) on Running for Higher Office|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/the-congressional-tease-caucus-9-members-who-think-but-never-act-on-running-for-higher-office-20150118|access-date=January 20, 2015|magazine=National Journal|date=January 18, 2015}}</ref>

Portman initially endorsed his fellow Ohioan, [[Governor of Ohio|Governor]] [[John Kasich]], during the [[2016 Republican Party presidential primaries|Republican primaries]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/rob-portman-endorse-john-kasich |title=Rob Portman endorses John Kasich |work=[[Politico]]|first=Alex|last=Isenstadt |date=January 9, 2016 |access-date=January 11, 2020}}</ref> In May 2016, after Kasich dropped out of the race and Trump became the [[presumptive nominee|presumptive Republican nominee]], Portman endorsed Trump.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/rob-portman-endorses-donald-trump |title=Rob Portman endorses Donald Trump |first=Ben|last=Garbarek |date=May 9, 2016 |access-date=January 11, 2020 |work=ABC 6 On Your Side}}</ref> After the emergence of [[Donald Trump Access Hollywood tape|old audio recordings where Trump bragged about inappropriately touching women without their consent]] in October 2016, Portman announced that he was rescinding his endorsement of Trump and would instead cast a write-in vote for Trump's running mate, [[Governor of Indiana|Indiana Gov.]] [[Mike Pence]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cleveland.com/open/2016/10/rob_portman_rescinds_endorseme.html |title=Rob Portman rescinds endorsement of Donald Trump |date=October 9, 2016 |first=Andrew J.|last=Tobias |work=Cleveland.com |access-date=January 11, 2020}}</ref>

===2020 campaign, Capitol attack, and Trump impeachments===
In the 2020 presidential election, Portman supported Trump, in a reversal of his 2016 vote.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jessie|last=Balmert|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/elections/2019/01/31/ohio-sen-rob-portman-back-president-trump-2020/2732371002/|title=Ohio Sen. Rob Portman supports President Trump's 2020 bid - a reversal from 2016 vote|work=Cincinnati Enquirer|date=January 31, 2019|access-date=May 6, 2022}}</ref> Portman maintained his support for Trump during the [[First impeachment of Donald Trump|impeachment proceedings against Trump]] for his conduct in the [[Trump–Ukraine scandal]].<ref name=EatonOC>{{cite web|first=Sabrina|last=Eaton|url=https://www.cleveland.com/open/2019/10/sen-rob-portman-still-plans-to-vote-for-president-donald-trump-despite-impeachment-inquiry.html|title=Sen. Rob Portman still plans to vote for President Donald Trump despite impeachment inquiry|work=Cleveland.com|date=October 29, 2019|access-date=May 6, 2022}}</ref> Portman said that it was "wrong and inappropriate" for Trump to ask a foreign government to investigate a political rival,<ref name=Rowland>Darrel Rowland, [https://www.dispatch.com/news/20200204/ohio-gop-sen-rob-portman-explains-why-he-backs-donald-trump-during-impeachment/1 Ohio GOP Sen. Rob Portman explains why he backs Donald Trump during impeachment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108005238/https://www.dispatch.com/news/20200204/ohio-gop-sen-rob-portman-explains-why-he-backs-donald-trump-during-impeachment/1 |date=January 8, 2021 }}, ''Columbus Dispatch'' (February 4, 2020).</ref> and that he accepted that there was ''quid pro quo'' between Trump and Ukraine in which U.S. aid to Ukraine was on the line,<ref name=Rowland/> but that he did not consider it to be an impeachable offense.<ref name=Eaton>Sabrina Eaton, [https://www.cleveland.com/open/2019/10/sen-rob-portman-still-plans-to-vote-for-president-donald-trump-despite-impeachment-inquiry.html Sen. Rob Portman still plans to vote for President Donald Trump despite impeachment inquiry], (October 29, 2019).</ref><ref name=Rowland/> Following the [[First impeachment trial of Donald Trump|Senate trial]] of Trump, Portman voted to acquit Trump on charges of [[abuse of power]] and [[obstruction of Congress]].<ref>Sabrina Eaton, [https://www.cleveland.com/open/2020/02/ohios-sen-sherrod-brown-votes-to-convict-trump-sen-rob-portman-votes-to-acquit-watch-and-read-their-statements.html Ohio's Sen. Sherrod Brown votes to convict Trump; Sen Rob Portman votes to acquit: watch and read their statements], Cleveland.com (February 5, 2020).</ref> Portman also opposed proposals to formally [[censure]] Trump.<ref name=Rowland/>

Portman was the Ohio state co-chair of Trump's 2020 re-election campaign.<ref name=RickKovac>{{Cite web|title=Portman won't back Trump bid to toss election results as Ohioans ready buses to DC protest|author1=Rick Rouan |author2=Marc Kovac |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/elections/presidential/2021/01/04/sen-rob-portman-wont-object-presidential-election-results/4123228001/|newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch|date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> After [[Joe Biden]] won the 2020 presidential election and Trump refused to concede, Portman initially refused to acknowledge Biden as the [[president-elect of the United States]], although he did acknowledge that it was appropriate for [[Presidential transition of Joe Biden|Biden's transition]] to begin and that, [[Republican reactions to Donald Trump's claims of 2020 election fraud|contrary to Trump's false claims]], there was no evidence of irregularities that would change the election outcome.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Eaton|first=Sabrina|title=Sen. Rob Portman still won't call Joe Biden "President-elect"|url=https://www.cleveland.com/open/2020/12/sen-rob-portman-still-wont-call-joe-biden-president-elect.html|date=December 1, 2020|publisher=Cleveland.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Wartman|first=Scott|date=December 1, 2021|title=Rob Portman won't call Biden president-elect just yet. 'The recounts need to be completed.'|work=Cincinnati Enquirer|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2020/11/17/election-2020-rob-portman-wont-call-biden-president-elect-yet/6316654002/}}</ref> Portman accepted the election results six weeks after the election, after the December 15 [[Electoral College (United States)|Electoral College]] vote.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Horn|first=Dan|title=Ohio Sen. Rob Portman and Rep. Steve Chabot accept election results, but many other Republicans silent|newspaper=Cincinnati Enquirer|date=December 15, 2020|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2020/12/15/portman-accepts-biden-win-other-republicans-remain-silent/3904297001/}}</ref>

Portman opposed [[Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election|Trump's attempt to overturn the election results]],<ref name=DeCiccio>{{Cite web|author=Emily DeCiccio|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/28/gop-sen-says-trump-impeachment-trial-could-set-a-dangerous-precedent.html|publisher=[[CNBC]]|date=January 28, 2021|title=GOP Sen. Rob Portman says Trump impeachment trial post-presidency could set a dangerous precedent}}</ref> and did not back a last-ditch effort by Trump's Republican allies in Congress to [[2021 United States Electoral College vote count|object to the formal counting of the electoral votes]] from swing states in which Biden defeated Trump.<ref name=RickKovac/> Portman said, "I cannot support allowing Congress to thwart the will of the voters"<ref name=RickKovac/> and voted against the objections.<ref name=DeCiccio/> Congress's counting of the electoral votes was interrupted by a pro-Trump mob that [[January 6 United States Capitol attack|attempted an insurrection at the Capitol]]; Portman said Trump "bears some responsibility" for the attack.<ref name=DeCiccio/> After [[Second impeachment of Donald Trump|Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives]] for [[incitement of insurrection]], Portman joined most Republican senators in an unsuccessful motion to dismiss the charges and avoid a [[Second impeachment trial of Donald Trump|Senate impeachment trial]] on the basis that Trump's term had expired and he had become a private citizen.<ref name=DeCiccio/><ref name=Chow>{{Cite web|title=Portman Joins Most GOP Senators In Failed Attempt To Dismiss Impeachment Trial|date=January 26, 2021|author=Andy Chow|url=https://www.statenews.org/post/portman-joins-most-gop-senators-failed-attempt-dismiss-impeachment-trial|agency=Statehouse News Bureau}}</ref> On February 13, 2021, Portman voted to acquit Trump on charges of inciting the January 6 attack on the Capitol.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2021/senate-impeachment-whip-count-where-democrats-republicans-stand/| title = Live impeachment vote count: How senators voted to convict or acquit Trump - Washington Post| newspaper = [[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

===January 6 commission===
On May 27, 2021, along with five other Republicans and all present Democrats, Portman voted to establish a bipartisan commission to investigate the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack]]. The vote failed for the lack of 60 required "yes" votes.<ref>[https://www.rollcall.com/2021/05/28/republican-senators-torpedo-jan-6-commission/ Republican senators torpedo Jan. 6 commission], ''[[Roll Call]]'',  Chris Marquette, May 28, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.</ref>

===Abortion===
On abortion, Portman describes himself as [[Anti-abortion movements|pro-life]]. He voted in favor of banning abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/1/portman-votes-to-protect-life-supports-pain-capable-unborn-child-protection-act|title=Portman Votes to Protect Life, Supports Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act - Press Releases - Newsroom - Rob Portman|website=www.portman.senate.gov|language=en|access-date=July 23, 2018|archive-date=September 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924014657/https://www.portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/1/portman-votes-to-protect-life-supports-pain-capable-unborn-child-protection-act|url-status=dead}}</ref> Portman supports legal access to abortion in cases of rape and incest or if the woman's life is in danger.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/insight/2016/08/28/u-s--senate-race-where-rob-portman-ted-strickland-differ-on-hot-button-issues.html|title=U.S. Senate race: Where Rob Portman, Ted Strickland differ on hot-button issues|last=Dispatch|first=Jessica Wehrman, The Columbus|work=The Columbus Dispatch|access-date=July 23, 2018|language=en}}</ref> [[National Right to Life Committee]] and the Campaign for Working Families, both [[anti-abortion]] PACs, gave Portman a 100% rating in 2018; [[NARAL Pro-Choice America]] gives him a 0%, [[Planned Parenthood]], which is pro-choice, gives him a lifetime 4% rating, and [[Population Connection]], another pro-choice PAC, gave Portman an 11% rating in 2002.<ref name=":0" />

In 2013, Portman sponsored a bill that would have made it a federal crime to transport a minor across state lines for an abortion if doing so would circumvent state [[parental consent]] or [[Parental notification (abortion)|notification]] laws.<ref>{{cite news|date=January 24, 2013|newspaper=[[PolitiFact]]|url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2013/feb/06/rob-portman/sen-rob-portman-says-abortion-clinics-market-their/|title=Sen. Rob Portman says abortion clinics market their services to minors in states with stricter laws|access-date=March 15, 2013}}</ref>

=== SFC Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act ===
In July 2022, Portman voted for the SFC Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which would provide care for veterans suffering from diseases caused by burn pit exposure while serving overseas. He put out a press release celebrating his vote,<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 16, 2022 |title=Portman Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Support our Veterans |url=https://www.portman.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/portman-applauds-senate-passage-bipartisan-legislation-support-our-veterans |access-date=July 31, 2022 |website=Senator Rob Portman |language=en}}</ref> but changed his position when the House returned the final version of the bill to the Senate, and voted against it.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 28, 2022 |title=Senate Republicans block legislation named after Ohio soldier meant to help veterans exposed to toxic burn pits |url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/politics/senate-republicans-block-legislation-named-after-ohio-soldier-veterans-exposed-toxic-burn-pits/95-8cb32cd7-bd3a-4a50-a7dd-f80357ec440a |access-date=July 31, 2022 |website=wkyc.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Budget and economy===
Portman is a leading advocate for a [[balanced budget amendment]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Frank|last=Lewis|url=http://portsmouth-dailytimes.com/bookmark/11169630|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201042415/http://portsmouth-dailytimes.com/bookmark/11169630|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 1, 2013|title=Portman, other Republicans propose balanced budget amendment|work=[[Portsmouth Daily Times]]|year=2011|access-date=December 15, 2012}}</ref> Portman worked with Democratic Senator [[Jon Tester]] in 2012 to end the practice of government shutdowns and partnered with Democratic Senator [[Claire McCaskill]] on an inquiry into the Obama administration's public relations spending.<ref name="aap14-bio">''Almanac of American Politics'' 2014, p. 1299.</ref>  Portman has proposed "a balanced approach to the deficit" by reforming entitlement programs, writing "[r]eforms should not merely squeeze health beneficiaries or providers but should rather reshape key aspects of these programs to make them more efficient, flexible and consumer-oriented."<ref>{{cite news|first=Rob|last=Portman|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324640104578161252979458718?mod=googlenews_wsj|title=A Truly Balanced Approach to the Deficit|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|location=New York City|date=December 10, 2012|access-date=December 15, 2012}}</ref>  Portman became known for his ability to work in a bipartisan fashion when working to pass a repeal of the excise tax on telephone service.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sen. Rob Portman|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/member/1888|website=National Journal Almanac|access-date=August 16, 2014}}</ref> He also unsuccessfully proposed an amendment to the surface transportation reauthorization bill to allow states to keep the gas tax money they collect, instead of sending it to Washington with some returned later.<ref name="aap14-bio" /> On August 10, 2021, he was one of 19 Republican senators to vote with the Democratic caucus in favor of the [[Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Farrington|first=Dana|date=August 10, 2021|title=Here Are The Republicans Who Voted For The Infrastructure Bill In The Senate|language=en|work=[[NPR]]|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/08/10/1026486578/senate-republican-votes-infrastructure-bill|access-date=November 6, 2021}}</ref> In October 2021, Portman voted with 10 other Republicans and every member of the Democratic caucus to end the filibuster on raising the [[United States debt ceiling|debt ceiling]],<ref>{{Cite web|author=Paul LeBlanc|title=Here are the 11 Senate Republicans that joined Democrats to break the debt limit deal filibuster|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/07/politics/republican-debt-ceiling-filibuster-list/index.html|access-date=October 8, 2021|website=[[CNN]]|date=October 8, 2021 }}</ref> but voted against the bill to raise the debt ceiling.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Meyer|first=Mal|date=October 8, 2021|title=Sen. Collins joins vote to break filibuster, but against $480B increase to debt ceiling|url=https://wgme.com/news/local/sen-collins-joins-vote-to-break-filibuster-but-against-480b-increase-to-debt-ceiling|access-date=October 10, 2021|website=WGME}}</ref>

===LGBT rights===
While still in the U.S. House, Portman co-sponsored the [[Defense of Marriage Act]], a bill passed in 1996 that banned federal recognition of [[Same-sex marriage in the United States|same-sex marriage]];<ref name="huffpo-gay">{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/15/rob-portman-gay-marriage_n_2881805.html|title=Rob Portman Reverses Gay Marriage Stance After Son Comes Out|last=Reilly|first=Mollie|date=March 15, 2013|work=[[HuffPost]]|access-date=March 20, 2013}}</ref> in 1999, he voted for a measure prohibiting same-sex couples in Washington D.C. from adopting children.<ref name="votesmart-gay">{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/3604/8867/27008/adoption-restriction-amendment#.UUNqOr-2cy5|title=H Amdt 356 – Adoption Restriction Amendment – Key Vote|publisher=[[Project Vote Smart]]|access-date=March 20, 2013}}</ref> On March 14, 2013, Portman publicly announced that he had changed his stance on [[same-sex marriage]], and now supported its legalization,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-rob-portman-gay-marriage-20130315,0,1398205.story|title=GOP Sen. Rob Portman announces support for same-sex marriage|first=Michael A.|last=Memoli|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=March 15, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/03/gop-senator-rob-portman-gives-his-support-same-sex-marriage/317338/|title=GOP Senator Rob Portman Gives His Support to Same-Sex Marriage|first=Alexander|last=Abad-Santos|website=[[The Atlantic]] |agency=[[The Atlantic Wire]]|date=March 15, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/03/rob-portman-gay-marriage-stance-88903.html|title=Rob Portman backs gay marriage after son comes out|first=Kevin |last=Cirilli|website=[[Politico]]|date=March 15, 2013}}</ref> becoming the first sitting Republican U.S. senator to do so.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gay Marriage Foes Yet to Prove Formidable Threat to Rob Portman |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/gay-marriage-foes-yet-prove-formidable-threat-rob-portman-n250131 |access-date=December 29, 2020 |work=[[NBC News]] |date=November 17, 2014 |language=en}}</ref> The change came two years after his son Will [[coming out|came out]] to Portman and his wife as gay in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sen-rob-portman-backs-same-sex-marriage/|title=Stunner: Sen. Rob Portman backs same-sex marriage|work=[[CBS News]]|date=March 15, 2013|access-date=March 15, 2013}}</ref> The [[Human Rights Campaign]] (HRC), which supports same-sex marriage and gay rights, gave Portman a 45% score in 2014 and an 85% score in 2016; the HRC also gives Portman a 100% rating for sharing its position on same-sex marriage.<ref name=":0" />

In November 2013, Portman was one of 10 Republican senators to vote for the [[Employment Non-Discrimination Act]] (ENDA), after the Senate adopted an amendment he proposed to expand religious protections.<ref>{{cite news|first=Chris|last=Johnson|url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2013/11/07/senate-passes-trans-inclusive-enda/|title=HISTORIC: SENATE PASSES ENDA|newspaper=[[Washington Blade]]|date=November 7, 2013}}</ref>

After the House passed [[Respect for Marriage Act|a bill to federally protect gay marriage]] on July 19, 2022,<ref>{{cite web |title=Roll Call 373, Bill Number: H. R. 8404, Respect for Marriage Act, 117th Congress, 2nd Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2022373 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |publisher=clerk.house.gov |access-date=July 20, 2022 |language=en |date=July 19, 2022}}</ref> a press spokesman for Portman said he would cosponsor the bill in the Senate.<ref name="codifyGayMarriage">{{cite news |last1=Eaton |first1=Sabrina |title=House passes bill to codify gay marriage over Republican objections led by Ohio's Jim Jordan |url=https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/07/house-passes-bill-to-codify-gay-marriage-over-republican-objections-led-by-ohios-jim-jordan.html |access-date=July 20, 2022 |work=cleveland |date=July 19, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> He cosponsored the bill the following day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cosponsors - S.4556 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Respect for Marriage Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/4556/cosponsors |access-date=October 31, 2022 |language=en |date=July 19, 2022 |website=congress.gov}}</ref> He was one of 12 Republicans in the Senate voting to advance and pass the [[Respect for Marriage Act]], the legislation protecting federal [[Same-sex marriage in the United States|same-sex marriage rights]] into federal law.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Metzger |first=Bryan |title=12 Republican senators broke with their party and voted for a bill to protect same-sex marriage |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/which-republican-senators-vote-for-same-sex-marriage-codification-bill-2022-11 |access-date=December 12, 2022 |website=[[Business Insider]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Women's rights ===
Portman voted for reauthorization of the [[Violence Against Women Act]] in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Senate roll vote on Violence Against Women Act |url=https://news.yahoo.com/senate-roll-vote-violence-against-women-act-210921824--politics.html |date=February 12, 2013|work=[[Yahoo! News]] |access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref>

===Environment===

In 2011, Portman voted to limit the government's ability to regulate [[greenhouse gas emissions]], and in 2015, he voted to block the [[Clean Power Plan]].<ref>U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 114th Congress - 1st Session, Vote Number 307, November 17, 2015. {{cite web| url = https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=114&session=1&vote=00307#top| title = U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 114th Congress - 1st Session}}</ref><ref>U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 112th Congress - 1st Session, Vote Number 54, April 6, 2011. {{cite web| url = https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=112&session=1&vote=00054| title = U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 112th Congress - 1st Session}}</ref> In 2013, he voted for a point of order opposing a [[carbon tax]] or a fee on carbon emissions.<ref>U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 113th Congress - 1st Session, Vote Number 59, March 22, 2013. {{cite web| url = https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00059| title = U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 113th Congress - 1st Session}}</ref> In 2012, Portman said he wanted more oil drilling on public lands.<ref>{{cite news|date=December 31, 2012|title=Rob Portman claims oil production on public lands was down 14% in 2011: Politifact Ohio|newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]]|publisher=[[Advance Media Publications]]|location=Cleveland, Ohio|url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2012/12/rob_portman_claims_oil_product.html|access-date=April 2, 2013}}</ref> Portman supported development of the [[Keystone XL pipeline]], stating "The arguments when you line them up are too strong not to do this. I do think that at the end of the day the president [Obama] is going to go ahead with this."<ref>{{cite news|year=2012|title=Portman: Keystone pipeline would help Ohio|newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/03/20/portman-pipeline-would-help-ohio.html|access-date=November 24, 2012}}</ref>

In 2013, Portman co-sponsored a bill that would reauthorize and modify the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 and would [[authorization bill|authorize]] the [[appropriations bill (United States)|appropriation]] of $20.5 million annually through 2018 for the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA) to mitigate the harmful effects of [[algal blooms]] and [[Hypoxia (environmental)|hypoxia]].<ref name="1254cbo">{{cite web|title=CBO – S. 1254|date=May 23, 2014|url=http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45393|publisher=Congressional Budget Office|access-date=June 9, 2014}}</ref><ref name="ThisWkHill">{{cite news|last1=Marcos|first1=Cristina|title=This week: Lawmakers to debate appropriations, VA, student loans|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/scheduling/208546-this-week-lawmakers-to-debate-appropriations-va-student-loans/|access-date=June 10, 2014|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=June 9, 2014}}</ref>

Portman co-sponsored an amendment to the 2017 Energy Bill that acknowledged that [[global warming|climate change]] is real and human activity [[Attribution of recent climate change|contributes]] to the problem.<ref>{{cite web|date=April 28, 2016|title=These Republican Lawmakers Are Turning To Climate Action To Help Keep Their Seats|url=http://thinkprogress.org/these-republican-lawmakers-are-turning-to-climate-action-to-help-keep-their-seats-7b9b3893c9de|website=[[ThinkProgress]]}}</ref>

===Foreign policy===
[[File:Rob portman with bush.jpg|thumb|Portman with [[George W. Bush]]]]
Portman opposes U.S. ratification of the [[United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea|Convention on the Law of the Sea]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wright|first=Austin|title=Law of the Sea treaty sinks in Senate|url=https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0712/78568.html|access-date=November 5, 2020|website=[[Politico]]|date=July 16, 2012 |language=en}}</ref>

In March 2016, Portman authored the [[bipartisan]] bill [[Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act]], along with Democratic Senator [[Chris Murphy]].<ref name="combatpropaganda" /> Congressman [[Adam Kinzinger]] introduced the U.S. House version of the bill.<ref name="house">{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/5181|work=[[Congress.gov]]|title=H.R.5181 - Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act of 2016|date=May 10, 2016|access-date=December 9, 2016|publisher=[[United States Congress]]|first=Adam|last=Kinzinger|author-link=Adam Kinzinger}}</ref> After the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 U.S. presidential election]], worries grew that [[Russian propaganda]] on social media spread and organized by the [[Russian government]] swayed the outcome of the election,<ref>{{cite news|first=Jeremy B.|last=White|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/facebook-russia-ads-us-election-political-adverts-trump-putin-fake-news-a7933461.html|title=Facebook sold $100,000 of political ads to fake Russian accounts during 2016 US election|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=September 6, 2017}}</ref> and representatives in the [[United States Congress|U.S. Congress]] took action to safeguard the [[National security of the United States]] by advancing legislation to monitor incoming propaganda from external threats.<ref name="combatpropaganda">{{cite news|access-date=December 1, 2016|first=Craig|last=Timberg|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/effort-to-combat-foreign-propaganda-advances-in-congress/2016/11/30/9147e1ac-e221-47be-ab92-9f2f7e69d452_story.html|title=Effort to combat foreign propaganda advances in Congress|date=November 30, 2016}}</ref><ref name="representativesbacks">{{cite news|work=[[International Business Times|International Business Times UK edition]]|publisher=IBT Media|location=New York City|access-date=December 1, 2016|title=US House of representatives backs proposal to counter global Russian subversion|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/us-house-representatives-backs-proposal-counter-global-russian-subversion-1594342|date=December 1, 2016|first=Tom|last=Porter}}</ref> On November 30, 2016, legislators approved a measure within the [[National Defense Authorization Act]] to ask the [[United States Department of State|U.S. State Department]] to take action against foreign propaganda through an interagency panel.<ref name="combatpropaganda" /><ref name="representativesbacks" /> The legislation authorized funding of $160 million over a two-year-period.<ref name="combatpropaganda" /> The initiative was developed through the Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act.<ref name="combatpropaganda" />

==== Israel ====
In 2018 Portman and Senator [[Ben Cardin]] co-authored the [[Israel Anti-Boycott Act]], which would make it illegal for companies to engage in [[Boycotts of Israel|boycotts against Israel]] or [[Israeli settlement]]s in the occupied [[Israeli-occupied territories|Palestinian territories]]. They promoted the bill and sought to integrate it into omnibus spending legislation to be signed by Trump.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why These Democratic Presidential Hopefuls Voted No on an anti-BDS Bill |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/why-these-democratic-presidential-hopefuls-voted-no-on-an-anti-bds-bill-1.6919089 |work=[[Haaretz]] |date=February 11, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Don't Punish US Companies That Help End Abuses in the West Bank |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/12/18/dont-punish-us-companies-help-end-abuses-west-bank |work=[[Human Rights Watch]] |date=December 18, 2018}}</ref><ref name="intercept18">{{cite news |last1=Grim |first1=Ryan |last2=Emmons |first2=Alex |title=Senators Working to Slip Israel Anti-Boycott Law Through in Lame Duck |url=https://theintercept.com/2018/12/04/israel-anti-boycott-act-lame-duck/ |access-date=January 19, 2019 |work=[[The Intercept]] |date=December 4, 2018}}</ref>

===Trade ===
Portman supported [[Dominican Republic–Central America Free Trade Agreement|free trade agreements with Central America]], [[Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement|Australia]], [[Chile–United States Free Trade Agreement|Chile]] and [[Singapore–United States Free Trade Agreement|Singapore]], voted against withdrawing from the [[World Trade Organization]], and was hailed by Bush for his "great record as a champion of free and fair trade."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://economyincrisis.org/content/rob-portman-gets-blasted-free-trade-record | title=Rob Portman Gets Blasted for Free Trade Record | access-date=April 20, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421064302/http://economyincrisis.org/content/rob-portman-gets-blasted-free-trade-record | archive-date=April 21, 2014 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Remarks by the President at Swearing-In Ceremony for the United States Trade Representative|url=http://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ei/wh/rem/46404.htm|publisher=U.S. Department of State|access-date=April 20, 2014|date=May 17, 2005}}</ref>

Portman has repeatedly supported legislation to treat currency manipulation by countries as an unfair trade practice and to impose duties on Chinese imports if China does not stop the practice.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/10/rob_portman_a_former_trade_chi.html|title=Rob Portman, a former trade chief, will vote to treat China currency manipulation as trade violation|publisher=Cleveland.com|date=October 5, 2011|access-date=April 2, 2016}}</ref> In 2016, Portman opposed the [[Trans-Pacific Partnership]] (TPP) trade agreement because he said it does not address currency manipulation and includes less-strict country-of-origin rules for auto parts.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trade-tpp-portman-idUSKCN0VD2NF|title=Republican Senator Portman opposes TPP trade deal in present form|work=[[Reuters]]|date=February 4, 2016|access-date=April 2, 2016}}</ref> In April 2015, Portman co-sponsored an amendment to [[Trade Promotion Authority]] legislation which would require the Obama administration to seek enforceable rules to prevent currency manipulation by trade partners as part of TPP.<ref>{{cite news |title=Senate rejects automaker bid on currency manipulation |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2015/04/22/senate-panel-vote-tougher-currency-trade-rules/26183665/ |newspaper=The Detroit News |access-date=April 23, 2015|date=April 22, 2015}}</ref>

In January 2018, Portman was one of 36 Republican senators who asked Trump to preserve the [[North American Free Trade Agreement]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/finance/371492-senate-republicans-call-on-trump-to-preserve-nafta/|title=Senate Republicans call on Trump to preserve NAFTA|date=January 30, 2018|first=Vicki|last=Needham|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref>

In November 2018, Portman was one of 12 Republican senators to sign a letter to Trump requesting the [[United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement]] be submitted to Congress by the end of the month to allow a vote on it before the end of the year; the letter-writers cited concerns that "passage of the USMCA as negotiated will become significantly more difficult" if it had to be approved through the incoming [[116th United States Congress|116th Congress]], in which there was a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/21/trade-senate-republicans-trump-canada-mexico-1010053|title=GOP senators seek quick passage of Mexico-Canada trade deal|first=Burgess|last=Everett|publisher=[[Politico]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121140824/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/21/trade-senate-republicans-trump-canada-mexico-1010053|archive-date=November 21, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Gun laws===
Portman has an "A" rating from the [[NRA Political Victory Fund]] (NRA-PVF), which has endorsed Portman in past elections.<ref>{{cite web |title=NRA-PVF "A" Rated and Endorsed Rob Portman |url=https://www.nrapvf.org/campaigns/2016/rob-portman/ |website=nrapvf.org |publisher=NRA-PVF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914121942/https://www.nrapvf.org/campaigns/2016/rob-portman/ |archive-date=September 14, 2018 |language=en-US |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NRA-PVF1005g">{{cite web|title=Ohio|url=https://www.nrapvf.org/media/20101007/audio/oh-portman-for-senate|website=NRA-PVF|access-date=October 5, 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007221407/https://www.nrapvf.org/media/20101007/audio/oh-portman-for-senate|archive-date=October 7, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> According to [[OpenSecrets]], the NRA spent $3.06 million to support Portman between 1990 and 2018.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jessica Wehrman|title=NRA spent millions to keep Ohio Sen. Portman in office|url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local-govt--politics/nra-spent-millions-keep-ohio-sen-portman-office/7MEWaRB7ZoEM9S3XRdZu4J/|newspaper=Dayton Daily News|date=February 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215213118/https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local-govt--politics/nra-spent-millions-keep-ohio-sen-portman-office/7MEWaRB7ZoEM9S3XRdZu4J/|archive-date=February 15, 2018|url-status=live|url-access=limited}}</ref>

In 2019, Portman was one of 31 Republican senators to cosponsor the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, a bill introduced by Senators [[John Cornyn]] and [[Ted Cruz]] that would allow persons [[Concealed carry in the United States|concealed carry privileges]] in their home state to also carry concealed weapons in other states.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.cruz.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4268|title=Sens. Cruz, Cornyn file Concealed-Carry Reciprocity Bill|date=January 10, 2019}}</ref>

In 2022, Portman became one of ten Republican senators to support a bipartisan agreement on gun control, which included a red flag provision, a support for state crisis intervention orders, funding for school safety resources, stronger background checks for buyers under the age of 21, and penalties for straw purchases.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/12/politics/senate-gun-safety-agreement/index.html|title=Bipartisan group of senators announces agreement on gun control|publisher=[[CNN]]|last1=Bash|first1=Dana|last2=Raju|first2=Manu|last3=Judd|first3=Donald|date=June 12, 2022|accessdate=June 12, 2022}}</ref>

===Health care===
Portman has worked to repeal and replace the [[Affordable Care Act]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shesgreen |first1=Deirdre |title=Rob Portman's dilemma: How to repeal Obamacare without undermining opioid fight |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/06/09/rob-portmans-dilemma-how-repeal-obamacare-without-undermining-opioid-fight/102563348/ |access-date=December 30, 2020 |work=[[USA Today]] |date=June 9, 2017}}</ref> In 2017, he voted to repeal it.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Parlapiano|first=Alicia|title=How Each Senator Voted on Obamacare Repeal Proposals|newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 25, 2017 |language=en|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/07/25/us/politics/senate-votes-repeal-obamacare.html|access-date=July 23, 2018}}</ref> He opposed steep cuts to [[Medicaid]] because the expansion of the program had allowed some Ohioans to gain coverage, including some impacted by Ohio's [[Opioid epidemic|opioid crisis]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/334834-gop-senators-bristle-at-trumps-medicaid-cuts/|title=GOP senators bristle at Trump's Medicaid cuts|last1=Hellmann|first1=Jessie|date=May 23, 2017|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|access-date=June 12, 2017|last2=Weixel|first2=Nathaniel}}</ref> As a member of a group of 13 Republican senators tasked with writing a [[2017 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act replacement proposals#Senate legislation|Senate version]] of the AHCA,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pear |first1=Robert |title=13 Men, and No Women, Are Writing New G.O.P. Health Bill in Senate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/08/us/politics/women-health-care-senate.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 8, 2017 }}</ref> he supported proposed cuts to Medicaid that would be phased in over seven years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/336814-key-gop-centrists-open-to-ending-medicaid-expansion/|title=Key GOP centrists open to ending Medicaid expansion|last1=Boubein|first1=Rachel|date=June 7, 2017|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|access-date=June 12, 2017|last2=Sullivan|first2=Peter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dispatch.com/news/20170609/portman-wants-phaseout-of-medicaid-expansion-funds-kasich-has-backed-in-past|title=Portman wants phaseout of Medicaid-expansion funds; Kasich has backed in past|last=Torry|first=Jack|date=June 10, 2017|work=The Columbus Dispatch|access-date=June 12, 2017|language=en}}</ref>
[[File:DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas Tours CHS Trail House.jpg|thumb|Portman and Homeland Security Secretary [[Alejandro Mayorkas]] tour the CHS Trail House, an [[Office of Refugee Resettlement]] facility that provides care for children before they are placed with a family member or sponsor.]]

=== Immigration ===
In June 2018, Portman was one of 13 Republican senators to sign a letter to Attorney General [[Jeff Sessions]] requesting a moratorium on the [[Trump administration family separation policy]] while Congress drafted legislation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/393108-dozen-gop-senators-ask-administration-to-pause-separation-of/|title=13 GOP senators ask administration to pause separation of immigrant families|date=June 19, 2018|newspaper=[[The Hill (publisher)|The Hill]]}}</ref> In March 2019, he was one of a dozen Republicans who broke with their party, joining all Democrats, to vote for a resolution rejecting Trump's use of an emergency declaration to build a border wall.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cochrane |first1=Emily |last2=Thrush |first2=Glenn |title=Senate Rejects Trump's Border Emergency Declaration, Setting Up First Veto |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/14/us/politics/senate-vote-trump-national-emergency.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 14, 2019 }}</ref> He later co-sponsored a bill to provide for congressional approval of national emergency declarations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/member/rob-portman/P000449|title=Rob Portman|last=Portman|first=Rob|website=www.congress.gov|access-date=March 21, 2019}}</ref>

Portman opposed Trump's Muslim ban, saying the executive order was not "properly vetted" and that he supported the federal judges who blocked its implementation.<ref name="Timmons">{{cite web|last1=Timmons|first1=Heather|date=January 29, 2017|title=The short (but growing) list of Republican lawmakers who are publicly condemning Trump's "Muslim ban"|url=https://qz.com/897532/the-very-short-list-of-republican-congressmen-who-are-publicly-condemning-president-trumps-muslim-ban/|access-date=January 31, 2017|website=[[Quartz (publication)|Quartz]]}}</ref>

===Jobs===
In 2014, Portman voted against reauthorizing long-term unemployment benefits to 1.7 million jobless Americans. He expressed concern about the inclusion of a provision in the bill that would allow companies to make smaller contributions to employee pension funds.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/06/unemployment-extension-senate_n_4739526.html|title=Unemployment Insurance Extension Fails Again In Senate|last=Delaney|first=Arthur|date=February 6, 2014|work=[[HuffPost]]|access-date=January 30, 2017}}</ref> In April 2014 Portman voted to extend federal funding for unemployment benefits.  Federal funding had been initiated in 2008 and expired at the end of 2013.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper = The Washington Post | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/04/07/senate-passes-extension-to-unemployment-insurance-bill-heads-to-house/ | title = Senate passes extension to unemployment insurance, bill heads to House | first= Wesley | last = Lowery | access-date= July 21, 2015 | date = April 7, 2014}}</ref>

In 2014, Portman opposed the [[Minimum Wage Fairness Act]], a bill to phase in, over two years, an increase in the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour.<ref name="1737sum">{{cite web|title=S. 1737 – Summary|date=April 2, 2014|url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/1737|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=April 8, 2014}}</ref> The bill was strongly supported by President [[Barack Obama]] and congressional Democrats, but strongly opposed by congressional Republicans.<ref name="ObamaClearChoice">{{cite news|last=Sink|first=Justin|title=Obama: Congress has 'clear choice' on minimum wage|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/202475-obama-congress-has-clear-choice-on-minimum-wage/|access-date=April 9, 2014|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=April 2, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Reidpunts">{{cite news|last=Bolton|first=Alexander|title=Reid punts on minimum-wage hike|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/202964-reid-punts-on-minimum-wage-hike/|access-date=April 9, 2014|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=April 8, 2014}}</ref><ref name="CentristRepubs">{{cite news|last=Bolton|first=Alexander|title=Centrist Republicans cool to minimum wage hike compromise|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/202641-centrist-republicans-cool-to-wage-compromise/|access-date=April 9, 2014|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=April 4, 2014}}</ref>

In 2015, Portman voted for an amendment to establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to allow employees to earn paid sick time.<ref>{{cite news |title=Senate passes budget after lengthy, politically charged 'Vote-a-rama' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-senators-are-using-vote-a-rama-to-score-political-points-for-2016/2015/03/26/0e8d3970-d3f6-11e4-ab77-9646eea6a4c7_story.html |date=March 27, 2015 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref>

===Judiciary===
[[File:Rob Portman and Brett Kavanaugh.jpg|thumb|Portman and [[Brett Kavanaugh]] in July 2018]]

In September 2018, Portman said he would support Trump's [[Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination|nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court]], saying, "The Brett Kavanaugh I know is a man of integrity and humility". Portman did not call for an investigation by the FBI for sexual assault allegations.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=press-releases&id=44F989A8-7FE4-4DC7-B506-55D3020ABEFB|title=Portman Statement Following Today's Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing|website=portman.senate.gov|date=September 27, 2018}}</ref>

In September 2020, Portman supported a vote on Trump's nominee to fill the U.S. Supreme Court vacancy left by the [[death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg]] less than six weeks before the 2020 presidential election. In April 2016, Portman said that Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court, who was nominated eight months before the election, should not be considered by the Senate, as it was "a very partisan year and a presidential election year ... it's better to have this occur after we're past this presidential election."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Desjardins |first1=Lisa |title=What every Republican senator has said about filling a Supreme Court vacancy in an election year |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-every-republican-senator-has-said-about-filling-a-supreme-court-vacancy-in-an-election-year |access-date=October 1, 2020 |work=[[PBS NewsHour]] |date=September 22, 2020}}</ref>

===Human trafficking===
Portman has been involved in efforts to end human trafficking.<ref name=britannica/> As a member of the [[United States Senate Homeland Security Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations|Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations]], he began investigating sex trafficking in 2015. The investigation found that classified advertising website [[Backpage]] was aware that the website was being used to sell young girls for sex. Portman sponsored the [[Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act]], which clarified sex trafficking laws to make it illegal to knowingly assist, facilitate, or support sex trafficking. SESTA was passed by Congress and signed into law by Trump in April 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wehrman |first1=Jessica |title=Senate passes sex trafficking bill pushed by Portman |url=https://www.dispatch.com/news/20180321/senate-passes-sex-trafficking-bill-pushed-by-portman |access-date=December 30, 2020 |work=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204184057/https://www.dispatch.com/news/20180321/senate-passes-sex-trafficking-bill-pushed-by-portman |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Biden administration ===
{{BLP sources section|date=February 2024}}
When [[Joe Biden]] was declared the winner of the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]], Portman was one of the few Republicans to say that he would certify the [[electoral college]] vote.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} During Trump's second [[Impeachment trial of Donald J. Trump|impeachment trial]], Portman said, "I will keep an open mind when deciding whether to convict".{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} He ultimately voted not guilty, but said, "Trump's comments leading up to the Capitol attack were partly responsible for the violence".{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

Portman was one of the main senators involved in crafting the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan that passed the Senate in August 2021.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}