Ohio Congressmen release statements on newly inaugurated President Trump

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of Ohio’s Congressional delegation released statements Friday, following the inauguration ceremony of President Donald J. Trump.

Senator Rob Portman attended the festivities, as he noted he has each event since 1988, and offered congratulations to the new President. Both Senator Portman and Senator Sherrod Brown voted to quickly confirm Trumps cabinet level nominees for national security positions.

“Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our country, and that’s why I voted to ensure President Trump has key members of his security team in place on day one,” Brown said.

Representative Bill Johnson called the inauguration speech “an inspiring, uplifting vision for America’s future,” and laid out the national legislature’s priorities.

The statements are published in full below.

U.S. Senator Rob Portman issued the following statement after attending the Inauguration of President Donald Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence:

“I want to congratulate President and Mrs. Trump as well as Vice-President and Mrs. Pence on today’s historic Inauguration. I had the honor of attending, and I look forward to working with the new administration on a whole range of issues—from getting our economy moving and easing the middle-class squeeze to turning the tide on the epidemic of drug addiction, to restoring America’s leadership role in the world by rebuilding our military. In order to make progress on these issues, we must work together to address the challenges facing our country. If we do that, we can deliver results and make a real difference in the lives of Ohioans and all Americans.”

U.S. Senator Rob Portman issued the following statement after voting to confirm Trump nominees Generals Mathis and Kelly:

“Our country faces enormous security challenges both at home and abroad.  Instead of ‘leading from behind,’ as the Obama administration has done for eight years, we must re-engage with our allies and restore America’s leadership role in the world.  Both General Mattis and General Kelly have served this country with great distinction and we will all benefit from their wealth of national security experience.  With these choices, President Trump has made clear that he is serious about rebuilding our military, defeating ISIS, and protecting the safety and security of the American people.  I look forward to working with both of them in their new roles.” 

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown released the following statement after voting to confirm Trump nominees Generals Mathis and Kelly:

Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our country, and that’s why I voted to ensure President Trump has key members of his security team in place on day one.

I have great respect for Gen Mattis and Gen Kelly’s leadership in the military and I thank them both for their service. I look forward to working with the Secretary of Defense to ensure Ohio’s military installations have the resources they need to support our men and women in uniform, and with our Secretary of Homeland Security to deliver resources to Ohio’s police, firefighters and first responders.

Representative Bill Johnson released the following statement after President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45^th President of the United States:

President Donald Trump has taken the oath of office to the highest office in the land. His rise is a political phenomenon, something we’ve not seen in our lifetimes. We were reminded last November that polls, pundits, and political elites don’t determine our elections – rather, the American voters do.

Our new President – working with both the House and Senate – has an historic opportunity to really lead and make positive, lasting changes for the American people. I’m hopeful that President Trump doesn’t view Congress as an inconvenient obstacle – because, we are ready for the hard work of governing, and I believe that he is as well.

It’s time to begin working together on the many pressing issues facing our great nation. Issues like:

Growing our economy and adding jobs – and not just part-time jobs, but full-time, good-paying jobs.

Securing our energy independence – which includes developing all of our energy resources, including coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear.

Eliminating excessive Washington red tape and costly regulations that make it harder for our job creators, innovators, and workers to succeed.

Repealing ObamaCare – and replacing it with patient centered solutions that increase choices, lower cost, improve quality, and increase access.

Reforming the broken Department of Veterans Affairs – our veterans have earned better treatment than they receive through the VA. As a veteran myself, this remains an important priority.

Now that he has taken office, President Trump must be a leader for all Americans – not just those who voted for him. The election was contentious, but it’s time to move the ball forward. In his speech on Election Night, then President-elect Trump called for “America to bind the wounds of division, and come together as one united people.”

I agree; and, I believe that a spirit of unity is necessary to come up with sustainable solutions to the many challenges we face as a nation. The stakes are too high to do otherwise.

I heard an inspiring, uplifting vision for America’s future this afternoon. There is much to do over the next four years, and I look forward to working with President Trump to re-energize our economy at home, and reassert America’s leadership abroad. So, let’s get to work.