Senator Rob Portman

Ohio's Republican senator sees tax reforms, not letting taxes go up, as the way to ease the nation's fiscal crunch.

Rob Portman says he thinks higher tax rates now for any group would be a mistake. But he says tax changes could be part of a plan that adds revenue while reducing federal spending.

Portman talked with reporters Thursday as Congress and the Barack Obama administration are trying to avoid a year-end "fiscal cliff" that would see tax cuts expire while spending cuts kick in.

Ohio's Republican senator says President Barack Obama is distorting Republican Mitt Romney's position on the auto industry bailout, a key issue in the pivotal state.

Sen. Rob Portman says President Obama’s comments have been "reckless and irresponsible."  Portman particularly objected to the president’s speech in Dayton , on Tuesday in which he said there might not still be an American auto industry if Romney had been president.

Both of Ohio’s U.S.senators were in Cleveland Sunday, participating in an interfaith commemoration of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Republican Sen. Rob Portman says defending the U.S. against future attacks remains a priority, and one he’ll have a special responsibility to balance over the next three months. For Ohio Public Radio, Kabir Bhatia reports.