Robert J. Portman

Robert "Rob" J. Portman who was named April 18, 2006, by President George W. Bush to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget, resigned his position June 19, 2007. He will be replaced by former Iowa congressman Jim Nussle.

Portman previously resigned as United States Trade Representative, a position he had held since April 28, 2005, when he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Portman's nomination for OMB director was sent to the Senate for confirmation on April 27, 2006.

President Bush nominated Portman on March 17, 2005, to be U.S. Trade Representative, with the Rank of Ambassador Extraordinary And Plenipotentiary, and his nomination was sent to the Senate April 14, 2005. Portman replaced Robert B. Zoellick, who resigned.

Jack Abramoff Connection
"Former Congressman Rob Portman, R-Ohio, got $4,000 from two tribes. The contributions were made to America's Majority Trust, the leadership PAC that Portman formed before he left Congress to join the Bush cabinet as U.S. trade representative." 

Coal Contributions
In late October 2010, during the lead up to the Congressional midterm elections, The New York Times reported:


 * Coal industry spending on campaigns and lobbying is substantial and growing, although it is dwarfed by the far better-financed oil and gas, electric utility, financial services and health care lobbies.


 * Among the largest recipients of coal money are Republican and Democratic members who have sponsored or voted for measures to block new E.P.A. regulations on climate cahnge pollution from the burning of coal and oil and who are most likely to support efforts to block other new rules.


 * These members include Representatives Roy Blunt of Missouri and Joe L. Barton of Texas, both Republicans, and Nick J. Rahall II of West Virginia and Rick Boucher of Virginia, both Democrats. Each had received more than $25,000 in contributions as of early October, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan group that tracks campaign spending.


 * Two Senate candidates, Rob Portman, Republican of Ohio, and Gov. Joe Manchin, Democrat of West Virginia, have also received sizable industry donations.


 * The political action committee of Representative John Boehner of Ohio, who is in line to become speaker if Republicans capture the House, has received more than $300,000 from mining interests, most of it from coal companies. The industry is counting on Mr. Boehner to reverse the current Democratic leadership's refusal to allow a vote on the measure blocking E.P.A. carbon regulation.

Profiles
At the time of his appointment, Portman was serving in the United States House of Representatives. According to his March 17, 2005, nomination profile:


 * "Throughout his 12 years in Congress, he has authored numerous bills that have become law including legislation regarding pension laws, capital gains taxes, IRS reform, and community anti-drug efforts. Congressman Portman is a member of the Ways and Means Committee and its subcommittee on Trade. He is also Vice Chairman of the Budget Committee, and he serves as the Chairman of the House Republican Leadership.


 * "Prior to his election to Congress, he practiced business and international law as a partner in the Cincinnati law firm of Graydon, Head and Ritchey. Earlier in his career, Congressman Portman practiced international trade law at the Washington, DC law firm of Patton Boggs. He also served in President George H.W. Bush's Administration as Associate Counsel to the President and later as Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs. He received his bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and his J.D. from the University of Michigan."

Iraq War
Portman voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Bush administration cronyism and incompetence
 * Bush's White House Staff

External articles

 * Andrew Taylor, "Portman, a Loyal Insider With Hill Ties," Washington Post, April 18, 2006.