Hearing of the Senate Budget Committee on Confirmation of Rob Portman

Hearing of the Senate Budget Committee on Confirmation of Rob Portman

INTRODUCTION [AS PREPARED]: ROB PORTMAN CONFIRMATION HEARING -- BUDGET COMMITTEE

Mr. Chairman, thank you for allowing me a few minutes today to speak on behalf of my good friend and fellow Ohioan, Ambassador Rob Portman.

First, I would like to congratulate Rob on his nomination. No one is more qualified or more prepared or more ready to be our next Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Rob Portman brings commitment, sincerity, intelligence, expertise, and skill to this position.

I know that Rob's wife, Jane, and their three wonderful children -- Jed, Will, and Sally are very proud of their dad.

Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I have known Rob for a very long time. What I can tell you is that he is the real deal. He is thorough and thoughtful on all the issues he undertakes. He is as honest and genuine and sincere as they come. He is a devoted, serious, hard working, and caring man, who always puts family first.

It has been a real pleasure for me to work with Rob over the last several years. He is a gifted and loyal public servant. He is smart. He is personable. He is diplomatic. And, he knows that bipartisanship is the key to getting things done in Washington. For that, he has earned the respect of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

It doesn't seem that long ago that I had the opportunity to introduce Rob to the Senate Finance Committee after he was nominated to be our U.S. Trade Representative. During that introduction, I talked about Rob's diplomacy and his skills as a negotiator. Well, let me just take a moment to say to my good friend, the nominee -- you thought negotiating trade agreements with other countries was tough, now you get to deal with all of us in Congress!!

In all seriousness, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I know this man. In Rob Portman we are going to have a man who will listen to our concerns and while we may not always agree, he will always shoot straight with us.

Rob's legislative accomplishments speak for themselves. He has helped make government more accountable through his efforts to overhaul the IRS and his efforts to reform pension law. I am very proud to have worked on several legislative issues with him over the years. He has been a true champion in the fight to get illegal drugs out of our communities.

And, he has been instrumental in turning the vision of an Underground Railroad Freedom Center into a reality. Because of his commitment and his hard work, Cincinnati now is home to our nation's premier history center dedicated to telling the story of freedom and perseverance through the legacy of the Underground Railroad network.

Again, congratulations Rob, and I look forward to continuing to work with you for many years to come.