Rob Portman: “I was asked recently what I think is the No. 1 issue facing America. It is a tough question, and I have had a lot of…”

“I was asked recently what I think is the No. 1 issue facing America. It is a tough question, and I have had a lot of issues race through my mind: inflation, the debt, workforce issues, the crisis at our southern border, the explosion of COVID cases, the deadly opioid epidemic, a warming planet, Russia and China flexing their muscles and creating more volatility around the world. We have got plenty of challenges, don't we? But do you know what I landed on, what I think is our biggest problem? It is the increasing division--even polarization--of our politics and our country. It is what makes it so hard to address all of those other issues that I named that are so important to the families whom we represent. Last week, on the Senate floor, my Democratic colleague from Arizona, Senator Sinema, called it a disease of division. Well put. When we are together, this country can achieve great things and has over the years. It can provide a beacon of hope to a troubled world, but as Lincoln warned, ``a house divided against itself cannot stand.'' In this body, we should be figuring out how to come together to help America stand-- and stand strong--to address our many challenges. That is why I am so discouraged about what I see playing out on the U.S. Senate floor again this week. I have seen an attempt by Democratic leadership to fan the flames of distrust.…”