WASHINGTON — An area legislator was recognized for his work on behalf of the agriculture industry.
U.S. House of Representatives
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana: Jordan was named a Friend of the Farm Bureau by the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors last week while touring farms and other agribusinesses in Ohio’s 4th Congressional District.
Legislators are nominated for this distinction based on voting records as well as the number of bills sponsored and co-sponsored and their accessibility to the Farm Bureau.
“The 4th District grows things and makes things,” Jordan said. “We’re the start of the agriculture belt, and I’m proud to stand up for the hardworking farmers and others who make our district’s agriculture industry thrive. It’s my privilege to fight for the needs of this industry through my work in Washington.”
Jordan will hold a town hall meeting from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Indian Lake Community Town Hall in Russells Point to discuss issues of the day as well as what Congress will likely vote on during the lame duck session.
Rep. Bob Latta, R-Bowling Green: Latta was presented with the National Tax Limitation Committee’s Tax Fighter Award for his record of voting for lower taxes. On key votes highlighted by the organization, Latta had a 90 percent positive score.
“It’s important to stand up for Ohio taxpayers that see a significant portion of their paycheck heading to Washington each month,” Latta said. “Whether it’s getting rid of the ill-conceived death tax, simplifying a broken tax code, or reducing rates on small businesses so they can reinvest and grow, we need to be working toward solutions that support taxpaying families and businesses.”
“Latta has been a leader in the battle on behalf of taxpayers to kill the hated death tax, reduce tax rates and the complexity of the tax code, to provide incentives for private savings, investment and job creation, to control the growth of federal spending and to force Congress to act on major, economic growth-inducing tax reform,” NTLC President Lewis K. Uhler said.
One piece of legislation authored by Latta will be implemented Friday with the post office in Findlay officially dedicated as the Michael Garver Oxley Memorial Post Office Building during a ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Marathon Performing Arts Center. The ceremony will feature remarks by both Latta and state Rep. Robert Sprague, R-Findlay, as well as Oxley’s son, Elvis, and a representative from the U.S. Postal Service.
U.S. Senate
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio: Both Brown and Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, urged the U.S. Trade Representative this week to bring a World Trade Organization case against China for its aluminum overcapacity, a move both senators say hurts American aluminum manufacturers.
“China has unfairly subsidized its aluminum industry — it’s not competing, it’s cheating,” Brown said. “Enforcing our trade laws will ensure that U.S. aluminum manufacturers, the best in the world, have the opportunity to compete on a level playing field. The administration needs to stand up for American businesses and put an end to the massive layoffs that have devastated workers and their communities.”
“I firmly believe that when Ohio workers have a level playing field, they can compete and win against competition anywhere in the world,” Portman said. “Unfortunately, China’s persistent cheating has led to a situation where the playing field is not level in the aluminum industry, and Ohioans have suffered as a result. We must protect Ohio jobs, and it is imperative that the administration takes action before China’s cheating further harms Ohio workers.”
Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio: On Wednesday, Portman received the Shevchenko Freedom Award, the highest honor given by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, the nation’s largest Ukrainian representative group. The award is given to those who have given substantial assistance to the Ukrainian American community. Portman had co-founded the Senate Ukrainian Caucus and has spoken out on maintaining Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
“I am honored to receive the Ukrainian community’s highest honor from the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America for my work to support Ukraine, the Ukrainian people and friends of Ukraine across the globe,” Portman said. “I am proud of my long-established record of support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian-American community, as well as for the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
By Craig Kelly
ckelly@civitasmedia.com
Reach Craig Kelly at 567-242-0390 or on Twitter @Lima_CKelly.