League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
State of Ohio November 2, 2010 Election
	Rob Portman Answers Questions Candidate for United States Senate

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

3. What is the role of the federal government in regulating the private sector? (150 word limit)

The federal government has a role in regulating private commerce to ensure that markets are fair and efficient. This demands a careful balance between appropriate federal regulation and the additional burdens on private enterprise. I believe there are areas that demand more regulation. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were allowed to straddle a regulatory border that allowed them to reap large profits while exposing the U.S. taxpayer to all the risk. However, these institutions were left out of the financial regulatory bill enacted this year, which was a missed opportunity for reform.

But all too often, Washington overreaches in it regulations. Washington is currently holding business hostage with the prospect of higher taxes, higher health care, and other regulatory burdens. The cost of this uncertainty amounts to over $1.8 trillion that businesses are holding back from investing + costing jobs at a time when we need them most.

4. How will you address the challenges and opportunities to the United States posed by unauthorized immigrants? (150 word limit)

The first priority of our immigration policy must be to enforce our immigration laws at the border and in the interior. This means adequate resources for border enforcement, but also doing more inside our own borders to ensure that those in our country illegally are not filling jobs that should be available to Americans. We must create a precise database for the mandatory verification of authorized workers and impose tougher sanctions on employers who break the rules.

But we must never forget that the United States owes its solid foundation to the hard work of generations of immigrants. We are strengthened by being a nation of immigrants. This means that we should keep the doors of America open to those who come legally and enrich our society and contribute to our economic prosperity while doing a better job enforcing our laws.

5. What specific functions of the federal government can be performed better by contracting with the private sector? What specific functions of the federal government should not be contracted out to the private sector? (150 word limit)

Where possible, the federal government should leverage the efficiencies of the private sector to improve government performance at lower cost. This can be accomplished by contracting with businesses to deliver tailored services and provide subject matter expertise, through open and transparent contracting processes.

However, there are fundamental and inherent responsibilities of government that can only be fulfilled by individuals in positions of public trust. In matters of intelligence, national security, and law enforcement, , the need for the highest standards of accountability and fidelity to country necessitate calling on the service of individuals who ultimately serve their nation as government employees.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits apply for each question. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 28, 2010 17:13
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