Sen. Portman: Oppose the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty

Yet another UN Treaty to oppose. This from Breitbart's Big Government [emphasis added]:

It's widely known that the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), being negotiated as I type, is simply gun control by another name. Although it is being sold as a treaty to lessen the number of guns moving across borders illegally, it will ultimately require a national gun registry to be enforceable: perhaps even an international gun registry.

. . . all of us should be contacting our Senators to demand they refuse to ratify this ridiculous treaty when it comes before them . . .

Senator Jerry Moran (Kansas) is on record:

The Arms Trade Treaty is expected to be finalized this month to create "common international standards for the import, export, and transfer of conventional arms," including tanks, helicopters and missiles. However, with regular calls to include civilian arms and ammunition within its scope, I am concerned this treaty could restrict the ownership of firearms that Americans use to hunt, target shoot, and defend themselves. Our opposition is strong enough to block the treaty from Senate passage.

It's another reason to call Sen. Portman to ask where he stands on the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty and the Disability Treaty previously blogged here .

Cleveland Office Ph#: (216) 522-7095
Cincinnati Office Ph#:(513) 684-3265
Toledo Office Ph#: (419) 259-3895
Columbus Office Ph#: (614) 469-6774
Toll-Free: 1-800-205-6446 (OHIO)

Another UN Treaty to oppose

U.N. Convention on the Rights of People With Disabilities

It sounds compassionate, it sounds like good-deed doing, but it is another attempt to cede individual choice, and state and federal sovereignty to the UN: read global government. From The Hill late yesterday [emphasis added]:

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) is delaying Senate consideration of the United Nations treaty on people with disabilities amid growing opposition from home-schooling advocates.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee was scheduled to take up the U.N. Convention on the Rights of People With Disabilities on Thursday, with the goal of getting it passed in time for the 22nd anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26. Instead, Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.) announced that he will hold the markup next Thursday, July 26.

A spokesman for DeMint said several Republicans on the committee joined him in asking for the delay.

"Part of this treaty deals with abortion and the rights of children, issues that should be addressed by states, local governments and American parents, not international bureaucrats," DeMint spokesman Wesley Denton told The Hill in an email. "Sen. DeMint strongly opposes this treaty, as the United States is already the world leader in addressing the needs of the disabled and it’s foolish to think Americans need to sign away our sovereignty to exert our influence around the world." . . .

. . . “The [U.N. treaty] would usurp the rights and powers of parents here in the United States to do what is best for their special-needs child by placing the law of the U.N. above the rights of the parents,” Rick and Karen Santorum said in a statement. “It is the job of our elected representatives to preserve these rights, not hand them off to unaccountable international bureaucrats."

Sen. McCain and Sen. John Barrasso are supporting ratification. Where does Sen. Rob Portman stand? He finally came out in opposition to the Law of The Sea Treaty (LOST). He should come out against this one, too.

Cleveland Office Ph#: (216) 522-7095
Cincinnati Office Ph#:(513) 684-3265
Toledo Office Ph#: (419) 259-3895
Columbus Office Ph#:(614) 469-6774
Toll-Free: 1-800-205-6446 (OHIO)

Portman & Ayotte "Deep Six" LOST

Patriots - congratulations!  You just helped stop the oceans from being owned by the United Nations!

While some groups in Ohio are more concerned about getting a 'seat at the table' and the subsequent pat on the head for being good little GOP 'tools' and not messing up the place settings, some of you and the true grassroots Tea party groups are out there doing the hard work and kicking the table to get things done.

Because of your repeated phone calls, emails and faxes over the last two months to the office of Senator Portman (R-OH) voicing your opposition to the United Nations Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST), Senator Portman and Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) have notified Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid they will be joining the 32 other Senators in opposition to LOST, which would effectively give ownership of the oceans to the United Nations.

We want to thank Senator Portman for coming out against LOST!  Please contact one of Senator Portman's offices to extend a thank you to Senator Portman and his ever pleasant and always helpful staff.


Cleveland Office Ph#: (216)522-7095 
Cincinnati Office Ph#:(513)684-3265
Toledo Office Ph#: (419)259-3895
Columbus Office Ph#: (614)469-6774 
Toll-Free: 1-800-205-6446 (OHIO)

From Senator Rob Portman --

Senators Portman and Ayotte Sink Law Of The Sea Treaty

Two Senate Armed Services Committee Members Announce Opposition In Letter To Majority Leader Harry Reid, Saying "No International Organization Owns The Seas"

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio), ranking member on the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, sent a letter today to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in which they announced their opposition to Senate ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Citing significant concerns about the breadth and ambiguity of the treaty, and more importantly, the risks to U.S. sovereignty due to issues regarding enforcement and adjudication, the two members of the Senate Armed Services Committee stated, “After careful consideration, we have concluded that on balance this treaty is not in the national interest of the United States.   As a result, we would oppose the treaty if it were called up for a vote.”

Portman and Ayotte continued, “We simply are not persuaded that decisions by the International Seabed Authority and international tribunals empowered by this treaty will be more favorable to U.S. interests than bilateral negotiations, voluntary arbitration, and other traditional means of resolving maritime issues.  No international organization owns the seas, and we are confident that our country will continue to protect its navigational freedom, valid territorial claims, and other maritime rights.”

Because the Constitution requires 67 affirmative votes for the Senate to ratify a treaty, and 31 senators have previously signed a letter in opposition and a 32^nd senator announced his opposition, Portman and Ayotte’s announcement makes efforts to ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty dead in the water in this Congress.

Click here to read full text of the letter.

Where, Oh Where Did He Go? Is Senator Portman L.O.S.T.?

For Immediate Release May 31, 2012

Marianne Gasiecki State Co-coordinator (OH) Tea Party Patriots (419) 961-4439

Is Senator Portman L.O.S.T.?

Law of the Sea Treaty

Ohio - May 31, 2012.  In 1982 President Ronald Reagan refused to sign a treaty known as the Law of the Sea (LOST).  This United Nations convention would raid America's wealth and redistribute it to the rest of the world through an international bureaucracy headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica. The Obama Administration, with the help of Senator John Kerry (D-MA), has revived this treaty and is holding hearings designed to illustrate its supposed benefits and generate support for its ratification. One of the more dangerous of this treaty's provisions is Article 82, which requires the United States to forfeit royalties generated from oil and gas development on the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles.  "That money, which one estimate says could be worth many billions, if not trillions of dollars, would go to the International Seabed Authority, a new international bureaucracy created by the treaty and based in Jamaica. Heritage's Steven Groves explains that from there, America's money could be shipped to the Middle East, Africa, China, and even state sponsors of terror."  (Heritage.org Morning Bell).   "Twenty-six Republican Senators have signed a letter addressed to Harry Reid, stating they will oppose ratification of the sea treaty.  Senator Portman is NOT one of them," said Marianne Gasiecki, Founder of the Mansfield Tea Party and Ohio State Co-coordinator for the Tea Party Patriots.  "Apparently, Senator Portman doesn't understand that it's the interest of the United States and the U.S. Constitution that come first, and the best way to protect those rights and our constitution is with a strong military, not another treaty that will be ignored by other countries, particularly China and Russia."  There are other seriously dangerous provisions in this treaty that were expressed in the letter presented to Harry Reid, " the Law of the Sea Convention encompasses economic and technology interests in the deep sea, redistribution of wealth from developed to undeveloped nations, freedom of navigation in the deep sea and exclusive economic zones which may impact maritime security and environmental regulation over virtually all sources of pollution."    "As with the unconstitutional appointment of Richard Cordray, Senator Portman is refusing to take a clear stance, and instead says that he has 'issues and concerns'," stated Ralph King, Founder of the Cleveland Tea Party Patriots and Ohio State Co-coordinator for TPP.  "His only concern should be the protection of the United States as a sovereign nation."  Mansfieldteaparty,com Clevelandteaparty.com Teapartypatriots.org - ## -

Senator Rob Portman is "Lost" on LOST

Below you will find that Senator Jim Inhofe has submitted a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in opposition to the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), also known as the Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST).

In our first contact with Ohio Senator Rob Portman, we were informed Senator Portman was against LOST.  When contacting Portman's office the following day to ask him to sign onto in support of Senator Inhofe's below letter - the subsequent response from his office - epitomizes the response of an elected elite legislator that needs to be replaced in his next election.

Again, as he did in supporting Richard Cordray's appointment as Consumer Czar, Portman takes a spineless, fence-sitting stance claiming he still has "issues & concerns" with LOST, is still researching it, has not yet taken a position, and refused to sign onto Inhofe's below letter against LOST....

The Honorable Harry Reid
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Mr. Leader,

We understand that Chairman Kerry has renewed his efforts to pursue Senate ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.  We are writing to let you know that we believe this Convention reflects political, economic, and ideological assumptions which are inconsistent with American values and sovereignty.

By its current terms, the Law of the Sea Convention encompasses economic and technology interests in the deep sea, redistribution of wealth from developed to undeveloped nations, freedom of navigation in the deep sea and exclusive economic zones which may impact maritime security and environmental regulation over virtually all sources of pollution.

To affect the treaty’s broad regime of governance, we are particularly concerned that United States sovereignty could be subjugated in many areas to a supranational government that is chartered by the United Nations under the 1982 Convention.

Further, we are troubled that compulsory dispute resolution could pertain to public and private activities including law enforcement, maritime security, business operations, and nonmilitary activities performed aboard military vessels.

If this treaty comes to the floor, we will oppose its ratification.

Jon Kyl                          Jim Inhofe       
Roy Blunt                       Pat Roberts
David Vitter                  Ron Johnson
John Cornyn                 Jim DeMint
Tom Coburn                 John Boozman
Rand Paul                     Jim Risch
Mike Lee                       Jeff Sessions
Mike Crapo                   Orrin Hatch
John Barrasso              Richard Shelby
John Thune                    Richard Burr
Saxby Chambliss         Dan Coats
John Hoeven                 Roger Wicker
Jerry Moran                   Marco Rubio

Please contact Senator Portman's office to let him know that he once again let the voters of Ohio down.  And, that since he appears to be "lost" on LOST, if he wants to be reelected as a U.S. Senator from Ohio again - he better quickly find his way!

Senator Rob Portman 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/robportman

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/robportman
Email: http://portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact-form  

D.C. Office Ph#: (202)224-3353
Cincinnati Office Ph#: (513)684-3265
Toledo Office Ph#: (419)259-3895
Columbus Office Ph#: (800)205-6446 (OHIO)

Democrat Controlled U.S. Senate goes 0-5 on Passing a Budget

In recent headlines there has been much coverage on President Obama getting another slap down by his fellow Democrats in the Senate when, once again, they ALL voted against (0-99) a budget resolution based on Obama's failed 2013 budget blue print.

Not wanting to ruin their astonishing run of not passing a budget in over 3 years (1,117 Days) or tarnish their reputation of being a do-nothing, Democrat controlled Senate,  Senate Leader Harry Reid, joined by the establishment elite RINO's, also failed to pass four other budget measures.  The propagandist MSM does not appear to be pointing this out.

Other budget measures that were rejected by the Senate are;

• Rep. Paul Ryan's "Path to Prosperity" (failed 41-58)
• Senator Rand Paul's "Platform to Revitalize America" (failed 16-83)
• Senator Mike Lee's "Saving the American Dream" (failed 17-82)
• Senator Pat Toomey's "Restoring Balance" (failed 42-57)

The Senators from Ohio -Senator Sherrod "Sluggo" Brown (D), in cheap attempts to distance himself from his last 4 yrs of failure and still refusing to do the job he was elected to do, joined with fellow Democrats in voting against Obama's budget and the above alternative measures.

Senator Rob "The RINO" Portman (R?), joining his fellow Democrats voted against the Senator Rand Paul and Senator Mike Lee's budget proposals and voted in favor of the Rep. Paul  Ryan and Senator Pat Toomey budget proposals.

We will deal with Senator Sluggo in this general election by educating voters on his failures and forcing him to run on his record.

As for Portman.... while some have the mindless thought he is VP material for Romney -- many Tea Party groups in Ohio will be looking to give him a one way ticket to Lugarville in his next primary.

Below is contact info for Brown & Portman....

Senator Sherrod Brown

Email: http://brown.senate.gov/contact/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/sensherrodbrown 

Cleveland Office PH: (216) 522-7272
Cleveland Office Fax: (216) 522-2239
D.C. Office PH: (202) 224-2315
D.C. Office Fax: (202)228-6321


Senator Rob Portman

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/robportman

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/robportman
Email: http://portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact-form 

D.C. Office Ph#: (202)224-3353
Cleveland Office Ph#: (216)522-7095
Cincinnati Office Ph#: (513)684-3265
Toledo Office Ph#: (419)259-3895
Columbus Office Ph#: (614)469-6774 / 1-800-205-6446 (OHIO) 

Tell the U.S. Senate & Harry Reid to Get Some CLASS!

Your Senators need to hear from you now!  The House voted to repeal the CLASS Act portion of ObamaCare.  Now it all goes over to the Senate where it will likely stall out without a push from you and your fellow Patriots!

Please call your Senators to demand they vote to repeal the CLASS Act!  We know the Democrat-led Senate will do nothing that will take away from ObamaCare without a powerful mandate from voters.  Now is the time to push your Senator to demand a vote!

The Community Living Assistance Services and Support program (known as the CLASS Act) is a voluntary program where taxpayers could volunteer to pay premiums for long-term care that would allow the taxpayer to get that cash later in life.   The Obama administration loves it because Americans would be forced to pay into the plan for five years before becoming eligible for any long-term services.

Since premiums for the program would be the same price for everyone healthy people will not voluntarily pay into the program.  The result?  Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius admitted last year that the CLASS Act was neither financially feasible nor sustainable.  Still, the White House and Senate still continue to oppose its repeal.  Since we don't have the votes in the Senate to repeal ObamaCare in its entirety, we must count on our leaders to dismantle ObamaCare piece by piece.  Every concerned citizen must force the Senate to bring the CLASS Act repeal to a vote!

It is up to YOU to force your Senators to do the right thing!

Senator Harry Reid (Majority Leader)
DC Office PH: (202)224-3542
Email: Click Here to email

Senator Mitch McConnell (Minority Leader)
DC Office PH: (202)224-2541
Email: Click Here to email

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Cleveland Office PH: (216)522-7272
DC Office PH: (202)224-2315
Email: Click Here to email

Senator Rob Portman (R-OH)
Cleveland Office PH: (216)522-7095
DC Office OH: (202)224-3353
Email: Click Here to email

You can call your Senator for no charge here.

Tea Party Patriots (OH) statement on Cordray appointment to CFPB

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 5, 2011

Contact: Marianne Gasiecki
              State Co-Coordinator
              (419)961-4439

 I Will Obey the Constitution of the United States

Ohio - January 5, 2012 - "This is part of the whole theory of George Bush that he can make laws as he is going along. I disagree with that. I taught the Constitution for 10 years. I believe in the Constitution and I will obey the Constitution of the United States."  That's what candidate Barack Obama said in 2008. Apparently, he was kidding.

 

According to our Constitution, Congress must remain adjourned for at least three days before the adjournment constitutes a "recess" for the purposes of recess appointment power.   The House and Senate both met the day before Obama's appointment, and have held pro-forma meetings every three days since before Christmas, as Democrats did during the Bush administration to prevent the president from making recess appointments.  Additionally, neither chamber passed an adjournment resolution in December.

 

Tea Party groups in Ohio had asked Senator Portman to be more vocal against the Cordray appointment, as well as the Consumer Finance Protection Board, but his response to this appointment yesterday was "this is not about Rich Cordray, who I believe is a good public servant..." 

 

"If Cordray is such a "good public servant" as Portman claims, Cordray would refuse this appointment based on the manner in which it was done and how the department itself violates the Constitution.  For many Tea Party people, that would be a good public servant," said Ralph King, State Co-coordinator and Co-Founder of the Cleveland Tea Party Patriots.

 

Regardless of who's appointed, and how, the CFPB has the power to interfere with every consumer financial transaction in the economy. It is housed in the Federal Reserve and funded out of Fed operations, therefore creating a governing entity in and of itself, and avoiding congressional oversight.

 

"This President is ignoring the separation of powers in the Constitution by ignoring Congress.  He is dictating what he believes is best for the country and boasting about it while in Shaker Hieghts this week when saying he has an 'obligation as President to do what I can without them (meaning Congress).'  This president has no intention of obeying the Constitution, and has done everything to create a governing entity outside of the Constitution.  Everyone should be concerned about one man who believes he can wield that much power, on his own, without the consent of our elected representatives," said Marianne Gasiecki, State Co-coordinator and Founder of the Mansfield Tea Party.

 

It is critical that the Senate does not confirm this recess appointment.  According to another statement issued by Senator Portman, a statute creating the CFPB makes clear that only Senate confirmation of a director - not a recess appointment - can activate the new powers of this agency to regulate consumer transactions.

 

*Ralph King - State Co-coordinator Tea Party Patriots

*Marianne Gasiecki - State Co-coordinator Tea Party Patriots*

 

###

Is Sen. Rob Portman making backroom deals with Sen Sherrod Brown over new Consumer Czar?

H/T Medina Tea Party Patriots

According to a recent article on Big Government, Senator Rob Portman may be breaking ranks with his party by voting to confirm the former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray as the first director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), or in more accurate terms -- Consumer Financial Protection Czar.

The director of the CFPB is empowered to regulate almost any industry for any reason and cannot be removed for any reason other than malfeasance. The position is a five-year term, so the next president will have to deal with Cordray regulating our economy, despite the president’s wishes.

Many Conservatives are wondering why Portman would join Senate liberals in supporting Cordray, who has shown himself to be an extremely liberal Progressive. The below article indicates Portman may also be facing pressure and making backroom deals with Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to confirm Cordray, which is why it is imperative that we let Senator Portman know that we will not stand for this outrageous betrayal of conservative values.

Please contact Senator Portman and demand that he vote against the appointment of Richard Cordray for director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Senator Rob Portman

D.C. Office Phone: 202-224-3353

Local Office Phone: 513-684-3265

Twitter: @robportman

From Big Government --

In the pitched battle over whether government should take over our health care system, a group of pro-life Democrat congressmen held the line to oppose the legislation because they knew the bill authorized funding for abortion.  Under intense pressure from the president and their pro-choice comrades in the Congress, the group, led by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) flip-flopped when they received a letter from the president ensuring that government would not spend money for abortion.  They were had.

 

Now Sen. Rob Portman appears ready to “pull a Stupak.”  Under pressure from Democrat Sen. Sherrod  Brown, Portman appears ready to cut a deal to confirm former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray to a five-year term to head the super-regulatory agency known as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Word on Capitol Hill is that Portman has assured Cordray he has no problems with his nomination and is asking for assurances that his concerns about the Bureau will be address – not in legislation, but in a letter.  Has Portman learned anything from the Stupak incident?  Apparently not.

Unlike Portman, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) is taking a principled stand against the creation of a new super regulatory agency and is not shaking in his boots.  Shelby has organized his colleagues who have pledged to oppose the nomination of Cordray or any other nominee unless the Bureau is reformed.  Unlike Portman, apparently, Shelby is smart enough to demand real statutory changes as opposed to “promised” changes.

The CFPB was structured in a way to give huge, and perhaps unconstitutional, power to its Director.  Alan Raul, who served as general counsel of the Office of Management and Budget and associate counsel to President Ronald Reagan, described the CFPB’s power as “an independent agency on steroids because Congress essentially exempted the director from any meaningful accountability or strong presidential oversight.”

As structured, the Director is empowered to regulate almost any industry for any reason and if Cordray is confirmed by the full Senate, would be given a five-year term and be removable only by malfeasance.  So if a Republican wins the presidential election, they would enjoy four years of Mr. Cordray regulating the economy, no matter what the president did or said.

Not only should the CFPB be reformed, it should be eliminated.  If Mr. Portman gets weak knees, he will ensure that another government regulatory agency – one with more power than most – will be around for a long time.

Please call Senator Portman and remind him he was not elected to make back room deals with Senator Sherrod Brown but to act with conservative conviction and integrity like Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL).

Senator Rob Portman

D.C. Office Phone: 202-224-3353

Local Office Phone: 513-684-3265

Twitter: @robportman