Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) met with President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Brown has said he will not support any Justice who would take rights away from Ohioans. He asked questions of Kavanaugh about the judge’s record and views on everything from workers’ rights, to women’s rights, consumer rights, and health care. Brown’s office said he is continuing to carefully examine Kavanaugh’s record before making a final decision on how he will vote.
“I’m already very troubled by the Supreme Court’s recent decisions stripping rights from Ohioans, and I have serious concerns about some of Judge Kavanaugh’s rulings and positions on health care for Ohioans with pre-existing conditions, and the rights of Ohio workers, women, and consumers,”Brown said.“I am continuing to listen to Ohioans and review Judge Kavanagh’s record as I make my final decision.”
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate voted on June 20 against an effort to pass the so-called “rescission package,” which would have slashed the fund that is supposed to pay for construction of Cincinnati’s new NIOSH facility by half. The rescission package would have taken back federal dollars intended for a wide range of projects and programs – including Cincinnati’s NIOSH construction – in order to pay for the $1 trillion deficit created by Republican tax cuts. With U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown’s (D-OH) opposition, the package failed on the floor by a vote of 48-50.
“We made a commitment to Cincinnati, and we shouldn’t be putting southwest Ohio jobs and economic development at risk to pay for tax cuts that benefit companies shipping American jobs overseas,” said Brown.
In May, Brown called on the Administration to tell Ohio how it will keep its commitment to move forward with the NIOSH project after the fund is cut.
In 2015, Brown helped secure $110 million in federal funds to advance construction and site consolidation for NIOSH’s new facility in Cincinnati.That money is supposed to come from the nonrecurring expense fund (NEF) at the Department of Health and Human Services, which currently has about $500 million for NIOSH and other projects.
Brown’s office said he had worked to protect that fund from cuts for years in order to ensure the NIOSH construction continues moving forward. And up until now, the project had been proceeding on schedule. In fact, the CDC recently solicited bids for a design-build contract. The Administration’s rescission package would take $220 million away from the nonrecurring expense fund – cutting he fund by about half and threatening the future of the project, according to a statement issued by Brown.
Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) voted for the rescission package.
As part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NIOSH is responsible for conducting research and making recommendations to prevent work-related injury and illness. The NIOSH facilities in Cincinnati employ more than 500.
The new construction project is intended to consolidate NIOSH’s Cincinnati facilities into one central location to improve and enhance scientific collaboration, as employees conduct research and make recommendations to prevent work-related injury and illness. The funding will also ensure that there are appropriate and adequate research facilities for NIOSH’s scientific program and will reduce operating costs by consolidating multiple campuses.
Senator Says if Any Federal Laws were Broken, There Must Be Consequences
Washington D.C. – Today,U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) wrote to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio Justin Herdman requesting investigations into Discovery Tours, a now allegedly bankrupt business that provided long-distance, out-of-state field trips for Ohio students. Brown says FTC and DOJ should determine whether Discovery Tours broke any laws and ensure there are proper consequences for the company cheating hardworking parents out of their money.
Discovery Toursrecently cancelled trips for several Ohio schools after students and families had already paid for their trips. The company did not issue any refunds and has not accounted for the money collected from hardworking Ohio students and families.
“Beyond the disturbing reality that hundreds of students will likely miss long-awaited school trips, is the fact that a company allegedly received hundreds of thousands of dollars – and possibly millions – from Ohio families for services that the company will not provide. And the company has failed to provide any information as to when or if the money it received will be returned to those hardworking men and women. This is unacceptable and the affected school districts, parents, and students deserve answers as to what happened to their money,”wrote Brown.
In the letter, Brown calls for an investigation into Discovery Tours’ actions as well as payments it received for trips that it cancelled. The Ohio Attorney General’s office, as well as two county prosecutor offices, are also investigating Discovery Tours.
A copy of Brown’s letter to the FTC can be found here and the letter to U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman can be found here.
Eligible Students May Apply for the U.S. Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, and Military Academy at West Point
Washington, D.C.– U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) today encouraged Ohioans interested in 2019 admission to U.S. Military Service Academies to apply to each senator’s office for a congressional nomination.
“Ohio’s students have the integrity, courage, and knowledge needed to enroll in our nation’s prestigious military academies and I am honored to nominate students for this high honor,” said Brown. “These academies develop the next generation of leaders who will serve our country as military officers and national leaders.”
“I am particularly honored as a United States Senator to have the privilege every year of nominating a number of Ohio’s top young achievers for entry into one of our nation’s service academies,” said Portman. “Our nation has never had to look further than the Buckeye State to find those individuals who exhibit the sterling qualities of leadership, daring, and the sense of adventure needed to turn the biggest dreams into reality, and to rise to any occasion.”
Each year, Brown and Portman nominate up to 10 students for each service academy: the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
Interested students who meet the eligibility requirements should send their completed application packet to Brown’s Cleveland office and to Portman’s Columbus office no later than September 21, 2018. The application process is time-intensive. Applicants should plan well in advance.
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For more information or to request an application, please visit Brown’s website here or Portman’s website here. Inquiries can also be directed to Brown’s Academy Coordinator at the Cleveland office (888) 896-6446 and to Portman’s Academy Coordinator at the Columbus office 1-800-205-OHIO.
Brown and Portman will co-host 12 United States Service Academy Seminars throughout the state for students who are interested in learning about the application processes. A list of locations can be found below:
Monday, April 23, 2018
Symmes Township Branch Library
11850 Enyart Road
Loveland, Ohio 45140
6:00 – 8:00p.m.
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Lorain County Community College
Spitzer Conference Center, Room 114
1005 North Abbe Road
Elyria, Ohio 44035
6:00p.m. – 8:00p.m
Thursday, April 5, 2018
North Central State College
Kee Hall, Rooms 128A & 128B
Main Campus
Mansfield, Ohio 44901
6:00 – 8:00p.m.
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Zane State College
Advanced Science & Tech Center
Room 224
1555 Newark Road
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
6:00p.m. – 8:00p.m.
Monday, April 16, 2018
Athens Public Library
30 Home Street
Athens, Ohio 45701
6:00p.m. – 8:00p.m.
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Walsh Jesuit High School, Library
4550 Wyoga Lake Road
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44224
6:00p.m. – 8:00p.m.
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
The Mills Morgan Tower
3500 Pentagon Boulevard, 1st Floor
Beavercreek, Ohio 45431
6:00 – 8:00p.m.
Thursday, April 26, 2018
East High School
1500 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43205
6:00 – 8:00p.m.
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Youngstown State University
Kilcawley Center
Ohio Room
One University Plaza
Youngstown, Ohio 44555
6:00 – 8:00p.m.
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Bowling Green State University
Bowen Thompson Student Union Alumni Meeting Room 314
CLEVELAND, OH – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) condemned violence today in Charlottesville, VA.
“The bigotry and violence we’ve seen in Virginia have no place in America. I am grateful to those who put themselves in harm’s way today to peacefully protest against racism and hate,” Brown said. “As we learn more, my thoughts are with all those injured and their families. I am grateful to Virginia law enforcement and first responders. Ohio stands behind Virginia as the state copes with this senseless violence. We must not tolerate racism, threats, intimidation or violence.”
