WASHINGTON — While the headlines from the Senate floor revolve around investigations into Russia and the introduction of new immigration legislation, other bills are also being considered, some connected to Ohio’s Senate delegation.
U.S. Senate
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio: On Wednesday, Brown announced that the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 passed the Senate. A bill co-sponsored by Brown, the bill would create three options for veterans to appeal a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs decision, including “seeking a higher-level review, submitting additional evidence or appealing directly to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals,” according to a statement from Brown’s office. The bill would also require the Government Accountability Office to review the VA’s plan to address upcoming appeals and require the VA to report outcomes on efforts to address appeals.
“Veterans shouldn’t have to wait years to secure the benefits they’ve earned,” Brown said. “We need to speed up the appeals process so that veterans can get the treatment they need in a timely manner. I’m glad to see this bipartisan bill move forward, and I will continue working with Republican and Democratic colleagues to help Ohio veterans.”
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.
A Brown-sponsored bill was also passed to expand educational opportunities for post-9/11 students and veterans while also providing relief for veterans who attended failed colleges ITT Tech and Corinthian Colleges. The bill will now go to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
“We cannot allow for-profit colleges to cheat veterans out of the quality-education they’ve earned,” Brown said. “I’m proud to see Democrats and Republicans come together to pass legislation that will provide meaningful opportunities to veterans to continue their education and advance their careers.”
On Thursday, Brown introduced the Medicare at 55 Act, which would allow Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 to buy into Medicare. This legislation would help people in this age group avoid high insurance premiums as they deal with chronic conditions such as diabetes or arthritis, according to Brown.
“Giving people more quality choices at reasonable prices is something we can all agree on — that’s what letting Ohioans buy into Medicare is all about,” Brown said. “This is a simple solution for folks who are 55 and can’t get health care through work, or those who are ready to retire but aren’t yet eligible for Medicare.”
On Friday, Brown announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency had awarded more than $338,000 to the Ohio City Volunteer Fire Department through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. The funds will be used for vehicle acquisition.
“Ohio firefighters and first-responders work every day to protect our families,” Brown said. “We must support our first-responder organizations so that communities like Ohio City have the resources to shield families and homes from fire hazards.”
Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio: Portman announced Wednesday that provisions he incorporated into the bill leveling sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea were included in the version of the bill signed into law by President Donald Trump. Portman had included an initiative to counter Russian influence and disinformation.
“Today, the United States made important progress toward holding Russia, Iran, and North Korea accountable for their aggressive and destabilizing behavior,” Portman said. “I’m pleased President Trump signed this legislation, which includes my priorities to counter Russian propaganda and disinformation, into law. These countries actively undermine U.S. allies and interests and this legislation sends a clear signal that their actions have consequences and that the United States stands with our allies around the world.”
Portman also reiterated the need to pass the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, which would seek to combat websites illicitly fostering sex trafficking online, citing Backpage.com as an example.
“This bipartisan legislation preserves internet freedom while holding accountable anyone who actively facilitates online sex trafficking of women and children,” he said. “It is narrowly crafted legislation that targets websites engaged in one criminal activity: sex trafficking. And it allows victims of sex trafficking to impose civil remedies and seek justice. Our bill preserves the Communications Decency Act’s ‘Good Samaritan’ provision. This ‘good Samaritan’ provision protects good actors who proactively block and screen for offensive material, and thus protects them against frivolous litigation.”
On Thursday, Portman introduced legislation to help behavioral health care providers, such as psychiatrists, adopt electronic health records, aiding in coordination efforts to help improve quality of care for those with mental health, addiction and other behavioral health care issues, according to Portman’s office.
“This common-sense bill would improve care for those receiving mental health and substance abuse treatment,” Portman said. “And it would help bring our behavioral health system in line with physician health care by enabling the same incentives for substance use and behavioral health providers that other medical professionals have received.”
