O-H Update: Northeast Ohio

Supporting Ohio Auto Industry and Protecting American Auto Jobs

Earlier this summer, on the very same day GM laid off workers at its historic plant in Lordstown, we got word that GM plans to build its new Chevy Blazer in Mexico – the company is bypassing American workers and sending more jobs to Mexico.

In 2010, we worked hard to save the American auto industry, including GM, because we knew what these plants and this industry mean to communities in Ohio and across the country. But announcements like this one are proof that we need to do more to keep auto jobs in the U.S. and stop rewarding companies that send jobs overseas.

That’s why I introduced the American Cars, American Jobs Act, which is designed to help us level the playing field with foreign competition by making it more affordable for Americans to buy American-made cars and trucks, and revoking a special GOP tax cut for auto companies that send jobs overseas.

My bill would reward customers who buy cars that are made in the U.S. with a $3,500 price-cut. The discount would apply to nearly 100 cars, trucks, and SUVs, including all passenger vehicles assembled in Ohio.

This legislation would also hold auto companies accountable for shipping jobs overseas. Auto companies that cut the number of American jobs they had on the day the GOP tax bill passed and add those jobs overseas, lose a special tax break they get on their overseas profits.

In their tax giveaway to corporations last year, Republicans in Congress gave companies new tax incentives to close auto plants here in the U.S. and ship those jobs to Mexico or other foreign countries. This happened because their tax bill allowed companies to pay just 10.5 percent in taxes on some of their overseas profits, instead of the full 21 percent corporate rate. That’s like handing out 50 percent-off coupons to companies that send jobs overseas.

This bill puts a stop to that. It says that if you choose to send jobs overseas, you lose that coupon and pay the full 21 percent. On the other hand, if you keep jobs in the U.S., you keep your discount.

The world was reminded eight years ago to never bet against the American auto industry and the workers who are the engine behind it. We invested in saving this industry, yet we have a trade and tax policy set up to undermine it. This legislation will work to change that, leveling the playing field for American cars and American workers.

Sincerely,



Sherrod Brown
United States Senator

1. Dedicating Expansion at Women’s Recovery Center in Cleveland
2. Securing Funding for Northeast Ohio Defense Projects
3. Touring Vallourec Steel Pipe Mill in Youngstown
4. Visiting with Mahoning County Students at Summer Manufacturing Camp
5. Supporting Firefighters in Northeast Ohio
6. Sen. Brown's Office is Here to Serve You

Dedicating Expansion at Women’s Recovery Center in Cleveland

In June, Sen. Brown helped dedicate a new addition to the Women’s Recovery Center in Cleveland. The new addition at the Women’s Recovery Center, when completed, will help increase the Center’s capacity from 275 to 475 women and help reduce wait time for women seeking treatment. Sen. Brown has led efforts to secure resources for Ohio communities as they continue to combat the addiction crisis. Earlier this year, Sen. Brown worked to ensure Ohio is among the first in line to receive its share of the $6 billion in funding he helped secure to combat the opioid epidemic nationwide over the next two years. The Women’s Recovery Center provides substance use disorder treatment for women with a focus on outpatient treatment, relapse prevention, and aftercare. The Center also provides various services to patients, including family counseling, childcare services, and legal support.

Securing Funding for Northeast Ohio Defense Projects

In July, Sen. Brown secured $7.4 million for an automated multipurpose machine gun range Camp Ravenna’s Joint Military Training Center, an $8.8 million investment in upgrades to ensure the Youngstown Air Reserve Station’s main gate meets safety requirements and $13 million to replace the fire station at Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base. Sen. Brown secured these federal investments as a member of National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference committee. Sen. Brown has been a vocal proponent of military and defense priorities for the northeast Ohio, and will continue working with Congressional colleagues to secure the resources Ohio servicemembers need to complete their missions and keep our nation safe.

Touring Vallourec Steel Pipe Mill in Youngstown

In July, Sen. Brown visited the Vallourec Star steel pipe mill in Youngstown. He toured the plant and spoke with workers about the importance of cracking down on China’s steel overcapacity, which has cost Ohio jobs. Sen. Brown has called on the Administration to take action to crack down on China’s cheating on steel since President Trump was elected. Sen. Brown continues to offer the Administration long-term solutions to address the root causes of the trade imbalance and put a stop to China’s cheating.

Visiting with Mahoning County Students at Summer Manufacturing Camp

Manufacturing is one of our state’s most important industries, but too often, our companies can’t find workers with the right skills, while our students don’t realize all the opportunities available to them. In July, Sen. Brown visited with students participating in a Summer Manufacturing Camp his office helped organize. Mahoning County students visited KTSDI to learn about Ohio manufacturing and participate in hands-on activities. Sen. Brown’s office started organizing summer manufacturing camps in 2013 in Youngstown, and since then, the number of camps throughout the state has grown every year. This year, Sen. Brown’s office helped organize 18 camps in 15 counties. Sen. Brown’s summer manufacturing camps help introduce kids and their parents to an up-to-date, real-world understanding of American manufacturing. Community partners for this year’s camp include United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, and OHWOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science and Technology.

Supporting Firefighters in Northeast Ohio

In July, Sen. Brown announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $1,363,563 to seven Cuyahoga County fire departments for Operations and Safety through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program and for hiring through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. The fire departments included East Cleveland, Independence, Brecksville, Fairview, Olmsted, South Euclid, and Lyndhurst. The AFG program supports fire departments across the country to ensure the safety of both first-responders and the public.

Sen. Brown’s Office is Here to Serve You

Sen. Brown is committed to assisting Ohioans who have encountered difficulties with federal matters. Ohioans can call Sen. Brown’s state offices and work directly with a constituent services representative to obtain information or resolve an issue they are having with a federal agency. Common areas of inquiry include: Social Security and Medicare benefits, veterans’ benefits, military service issues, passport or visa problems, housing matters, IRS issues, and more.

For example, a Cuyahoga County resident called Sen. Brown’s office with concerns about a $14,000 overpayment from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Sen. Brown’s staff monitored the status of the constituent’s overpayment reconsideration request with the agency’s program service center. Agency officials informed Sen. Brown’s staff that the rates were incorrect, and the constituent was due a refund. The constituent confirmed that he received a refund of $4,000.

Northeast Ohioans can contact Sen. Brown’s office by calling (216) 522-7272.