Congressman Rob Portman (R-Ohio) Trade Representative

President Asks Portman to Join Cabinet

Washington, Mar 17 - Congressman Rob Portman (R-Ohio) issued the following statement today regarding President Bush's announcement to nominate Portman to his Cabinet as the next United States Trade Representative:

“I entered public service to make a difference in the lives of people, and it has been my highest honor to serve the people of Ohio’s Second Congressional District. President Bush has now asked me to join his Cabinet and serve our country in a different way. I want to thank my constituents for giving me the privilege of being their elected Representative for almost 12 years. The people of Southern Ohio and my hometown of Cincinnati have given me opportunities to serve in ways that I never dreamed possible. I am proud of our many accomplishments. I will be forever grateful for their friendship and trust.

“I am honored that President Bush has offered me the opportunity to serve as the United States Trade Representative. If the Senate should confirm my nomination, I look forward to serving the American people in this role. Open markets and strong trade relations are key components to a more peaceful, stable and prosperous world. Through expanded trade, the roots of democracy and freedom are deepened. Here at home, trade policy opens markets to create good jobs, a higher standard of living, and greater economic growth,” said Portman.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rob Portman was an associate in the Washington law firm of Patton Boggs from 1984-1986, where he specialized in international trade law. He then returned to his hometown of Cincinnati to work as a partner at the law firm of Graydon, Head and Ritchey from 1986-1989. From 1989-1991 he served in the first Bush White House as Associate Counsel to the President and later as Director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs. Congressman Portman currently serves on the Ways and Means Committee and its Subcommittee on Trade. Portman is also the Vice Chairman of the Budget Committee and serves as the Chairman of the House Republican Leadership. -- END --

Contact: Kyle Downey SOURCE: President Asks Portman to Join Cabinet

Committee on Government Reform, Major League Baseball, Steroids,

House Hearing on Steroid Use in Major League Baseball - Part 1 (03/17/2005) FULL STREAMING VIDEO

House Hearing on Steroid Use in Major League Baseball - Part 2 (03/17/2005) FULL STREAMING VIDEO

Subpoena for witnesses in PDF format

What is the antitrust exemption and how did baseball get it? - Baseball has been exempt from these antitrust laws since 1922, when the Supreme Court ruled in its favor in Federal Baseball Club of Baltimore, Inc. v. National Baseball Clubs. The Supreme Court determined even though there was scheduling of games across state lines, those games were intrastate events since the travel from one state to another was "not the essential thing," Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote in the decision.

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Chairman, U.S. Congressman Tom Davis Representing the 11th District of Virginia Chairman, House Government Reform Committee

Prior to his election to Congress, Tom was the chief elected official in Fairfax County, the eleventh most populous municipality with the second largest county budget in the United States. In 1993, during Tom’s tenure as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Fairfax County was recognized as the nation’s best financially managed county.

Formerly the Vice President and General Counsel of PRC, Inc., a high technology and professional services firm headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Tom moved to the position of Corporate Counsel upon his election as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Before his election to that post, Tom served for 12 years as Mason District’s representative to the Board. Tom is also a charter member and past president of the Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary Club, and he has served on numerous charity boards.

Tom was born in Minot, North Dakota on January 5, 1949, and moved with his family to Fairfax County at an early age. He graduated as president of his class from the United States Capitol Page School following four years as a U.S. Senate Page. He went on to Amherst College, graduating with honors in Political Science, and subsequently earned his law degree from the University of Virginia. Tom also attended Officer Candidate School, served on active duty in the U.S. Army, and spent eight years with the Virginia National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve. FULL TEXT In PDF Format Chairman Tom Davis' Bio (PDF)