WASHINGTON — One of Ohio's longest-serving politicians is taking his final bow.
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman gave his farewell speech Thursday on the Senate floor, ending a career in politics that began more than 30 years ago. The 66-year-old Republican announced last year he would not seek a third term in office, citing a desire to spend more time with his family as well as the ongoing partisan gridlock in Washington.
"Servant leadership begins with a respect for constituents, by listening to them and understanding their concerns, and then, whenever possible, delivering results for them," Portman said in his remarks, which lasted roughly 25 minutes. "During my time in the Senate, I am proud of what we've been able to accomplish for Ohio and the country by trying to follow that formula."
A Cincinnati native and longtime lawyer, Portman got his start in politics by working for George H. W. Bush's successful presidential campaign. That led to a position as director of legislative affairs in the White House, and more than three decades later, Portman maintains a strong admiration for his late mentor.
"To him, public service was a noble calling," he said of the 41st president, "and he helped young people like me see that by his example."
Twelve years serving in the House of Representatives were followed up by a two-year stint as Director of the Office of Management and Budget under Bush's son, 43rd President George W. Bush. In 2010, he succeeded legendary Clevelander George Voinovich in the U.S. Senate, defeating former Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher in a landslide.
"I am told by my staff that as of this week over the past 12 years,195 bills that I have authored or co-authored have been signed into law," Portman said. "By definition, almost all are bipartisan and product of the back and forth that leads to common ground."
Portman joked that "not all of these bills are monumental" but "make a difference." Specifically, he noted the recent passage of the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2022 — which he co-sponsored with Democratic New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan — as well as bipartisan efforts to combat the opioid epidemic, stop the spread of misinformation, expand retirement savings, and reform the IRS.
Portman was reelected in 2016 over former Gov. Ted Strickland by a 21-point margin, and that same year rescinded his endorsement of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. However, when Trump won the election, Portman became a somewhat reserved ally of the 45th president, voting with his positions nearly 90% of the time and endorsing his reelection campaign in 2020.
During both of Trump's impeachment trials, Portman voted for acquittal, including in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. The senator called the Trump's actions both leading up to and during that day "inexcusable," but stated he did not believe it was legal to convict a president after leaving office. Trump is now seeking the White House again, still repeating the lies that the election was "stolen" from him.
"I do worry about the direction of the political rhetoric in this country," Portman said Thursday, without referencing Trump. "We need to do everything we can restore faith in our democratic institutions, both for our own sake and so we can continue to be a shining beacon on the hill for the rest of the world."
Portman spent most of the last year championing the cause in Ukraine as co-chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, as well as working to pass the Respect for Marriage Act protecting same-sex and interracial marriages. During much of his tenure, he often worked with his Democratic counterpart from Ohio in Sherrod Brown, and paid special tribute to him today.
"I'm proud that we worked together on Ohio issues like the Great Lakes, trade enforcement, addiction and important judicial nominations like district court judges and U.S. attorneys," Portman told Brown. "Despite our differences, we made progress for Ohio together."
Portman will be replaced in the Senate by JD Vance, a political newcomer and bestselling author who has more closely aligned himself with Trump. Portman offered his best wished to Vance and his family while also urging him and others to continue to seek solutions in a bipartisan fashion.
"While I no longer will be a member of this body, I urge all of my colleagues and constituents to remember that there is more that unites us than divides us," Portman said. "I hope that one of the things we can agree on is the need to uphold this institution and what it stands for."
