Ohio

State Senators:

Sherrod Brown (D)

Term Start: January 3, 2007

Full Name: Sherrod Campbell Brown
Date of Birth: November 9, 1952
Birthplace: Mansfield, Ohio, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Sherrod Brown was born in Mansfield, Ohio, and raised in a middle-class family. He attended Mansfield Senior High School and later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Russian Studies from Yale University in 1974. While at Yale, Brown became involved in political activism. He went on to earn a Master of Arts in Education and a Master of Public Administration from Ohio State University.

Personal Life: Sherrod Brown is married to Connie Schultz, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and author. They have four children and reside in Cleveland, Ohio. Known for his populist approach and commitment to progressive values, Brown continues to work towards policies that promote economic fairness and social justice.

Early Career: Brown began his career as an educator, teaching at the Mansfield branch campus of The Ohio State University. Brown eventually began his career in public service. He served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1975 to 1982, where he focused on education and labor issues. Following his tenure in the state legislature, Brown was elected as Ohio Secretary of State, serving from 1983 to 1991. In this role, he worked to improve voter registration and election processes.

Political Career:

Ohio House of Representatives: Elected in 1974, Brown served as a state representative for the 61st district until 1982. During his tenure, he focused on issues such as education and labor rights.
Ohio Secretary of State: Elected in 1982, Brown served as Ohio’s Secretary of State from 1983 to 1991. His tenure was marked by efforts to improve voter registration and election processes.
U.S. House of Representatives: In 1992, Brown was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Ohio’s 13th congressional district. He served seven terms from 1993 to 2007. During his time in the House, Brown focused on healthcare, labor rights, and trade policy. He was known for his strong advocacy for American workers and his opposition to trade agreements he believed were detrimental to the U.S. economy.
U.S. Senate: In 2006, Brown was elected to the U.S. Senate, defeating incumbent Senator Mike DeWine. He has been re-elected multiple times, serving as a prominent voice for progressive policies in the Senate. Brown’s work in the Senate has centered on economic justice, healthcare, and social security.

Committees:

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (Chairman)
Committee on Finance
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

Legislative Achievements:

Economic Policies: Brown advocates for economic policies that benefit working families. He supports raising the minimum wage, expanding labor rights, and promoting fair trade practices. He has been a vocal critic of trade agreements that he believes harm American workers.
Healthcare: Brown is a strong advocate for expanding healthcare access and affordability. He supports the Affordable Care Act and has introduced legislation to lower prescription drug costs and expand Medicare.
Education: Brown supports increasing funding for public education and making higher education more affordable. He has introduced measures to reduce student loan debt and increase Pell Grants.
Veterans’ Affairs: Brown is committed to supporting veterans and their families. He has worked on legislation to improve veterans’ healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.
Consumer Protection: As chair of the Senate Banking Committee, Brown has focused on protecting consumers from predatory financial practices. He has supported legislation to strengthen financial regulations and protect homeowners and renters.

Senator Brown is known for his dedication to economic policies that benefit working families, healthcare access, education, veterans’ affairs, and consumer protection. His background as an educator and his extensive experience in public service shape his legislative priorities in the U.S. Senate, where he continues to advocate for policies that benefit Ohioans and the nation.

Committees

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee deals with agricultural economics, research, production, and forestry.

Banking, Housing, and Urban Development: Committee ensures that the banking system is safe, housing is accessible, urban areas are well-developed, and consumers are protected in financial matters.

Finance: Committee plays a crucial role in shaping the economic direction of a country or region by influencing fiscal and monetary policies that impact individuals, businesses, and governments.

Veterans’ Affairs: Oversees veterans’ benefits, medical care, and assistance in transitioning to civilian life.

Voting patterns

Senator Brown has a voting record that reflects his commitment to economic policies that benefit working families, healthcare access, education, veterans’ affairs, and consumer protection.

Key Voting Patterns:

Economic Policies:

Minimum Wage: Brown supports raising the federal minimum wage. He has consistently voted for legislation to increase the minimum wage to help working families.
Labor Rights: Brown is a strong advocate for labor rights. He supports expanding union rights and has voted for the “Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act” to strengthen workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively.
Trade Practices: Brown is critical of trade agreements that he believes harm American workers. He has opposed trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and has supported fair trade practices that protect domestic jobs.

Healthcare:

Affordable Care Act: Brown is a staunch supporter of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has consistently voted against efforts to repeal or undermine it. He supports expanding healthcare access and affordability through measures like “Medicare for All.”
Prescription Drug Costs: Brown has supported various bills aimed at reducing the cost of prescription drugs, including efforts to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and cap insulin costs.

Education:

Public Education Funding: Brown advocates for increasing funding for public education and making higher education more affordable. He has supported measures to reduce student loan debt and increase Pell Grants.
Higher Education: Brown supports efforts to make college more affordable and accessible. He has introduced and voted for legislation to reduce the burden of student loans.

Veterans’ Affairs:

Veterans’ Services: Brown is committed to improving services for veterans. He has supported legislation like the “VA MISSION Act” to enhance healthcare, education, and employment opportunities for veterans.
Military Benefits: Brown has consistently voted for measures to improve benefits and support for military personnel and their families.

Consumer Protection:

Financial Regulations: As chair of the Senate Banking Committee, Brown focuses on protecting consumers from predatory financial practices. He has supported the “Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act” to increase oversight of financial institutions.
Housing and Renters’ Rights: Brown has worked on legislation to protect homeowners and renters, ensuring fair housing practices and preventing foreclosures.

Social Justice and Civil Rights:

Equality and Civil Rights: Brown supports LGBTQ+ rights and has voted for the “Equality Act” to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. He also advocates for measures to address systemic racism and promote civil liberties.
Voting Rights: Brown is a strong advocate for protecting and expanding voting rights. He supports the “For the People Act” to enhance voting rights, address campaign finance reform, and reduce corruption in politics.

Senator Brown’s voting record reflects his commitment to progressive principles, emphasizing economic equality, comprehensive healthcare access, balanced national security, strong environmental protections, and the advancement of social justice and civil rights.

Full Name: James David Vance
Date of Birth: August 2, 1984
Birthplace: Van Nuys, California, U.S.

Early Life and Education: J.D. Vance was born in Middletown, Ohio, and raised in a working-class family. His early life was marked by economic hardship and family instability, experiences he later chronicled in his memoir. Vance attended Middletown High School and then joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served in Iraq. After his military service, Vance earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy from Ohio State University. He went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 2013.

Personal Life: J.D. Vance is married to Usha Vance, an attorney, and they have three children. The family resides in Cincinnati, Ohio. Known for his focus on the challenges facing working-class Americans and his conservative stance on various issues, Vance continues to work towards policies that he believes will benefit his constituents and the country as a whole.

Early Career: After graduating from law school, Vance worked as a law clerk for Judge Raymond Kethledge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and later as a principal at the investment firm Mithril Capital Management, co-founded by Peter Thiel. He gained national recognition with the publication of his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis,” in 2016. The book, which explores the social and economic challenges facing working-class Americans, became a bestseller and was later adapted into a film.

Writing Career: Hillbilly Elegy: Vance gained national recognition with his bestselling memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis,” published in 2016. The book provides a personal account of his upbringing in a working-class family in Ohio and discusses broader social and economic issues affecting the white working-class community in the United States. The memoir was adapted into a film directed by Ron Howard in 2020.

J. D. Vance (R)

Term Start: January 3, 2023

Political Career:

U.S. Senate: In 2022, Vance was elected to the U.S. Senate, representing Ohio. He campaigned on a platform that emphasized economic revitalization, support for working-class families, and conservative values. As a senator, Vance has focused on issues such as economic policy, healthcare reform, and national security.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Joint Economic Committee
Special Committee on Aging

Legislative Focus:

Economic Renewal: Vance advocates for policies aimed at revitalizing American manufacturing, supporting small businesses, and reducing economic inequality. He supports efforts to renegotiate trade deals and bring jobs back to the United States.
Opioid Crisis: Having witnessed the impact of the opioid epidemic in his own community, Vance is committed to combating opioid addiction through increased funding for treatment and prevention programs.
National Security: Vance supports a strong national defense and has advocated for policies to strengthen the U.S. military and address cybersecurity threats.
Education: Vance is interested in education reform, particularly in improving access to vocational training and apprenticeships to better prepare the workforce for modern economic challenges.

Senator Vance is known for his dedication to economic renewal, combating the opioid crisis, national security, and education reform. His background as an author, Marine Corps veteran, and venture capitalist, along with his personal experiences, shape his legislative priorities in the U.S. Senate, where he continues to advocate for policies that benefit Ohioans and the nation.

Committees

Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee plays a vital role in shaping policies that impact economic development, technological innovation, transportation systems, and scientific advancements within a country or region.

Joint Economic Committee: Bipartisan committee composed of members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This committees’ role is to inform Congress about the state of the economy and provide policy recommendations to address economic challenges and opportunities. Its work helps shape economic policy and legislation in the United States.

Special Committee on Aging: Committee aims to improve the well-being, health, and financial security of older Americans.

Voting patterns

Senator Vance has a voting record that reflects his commitment to economic renewal, combating the opioid crisis, national security, and education reform.

Key Voting Patterns:

Economic Policies:

Trade and Manufacturing: Vance supports policies aimed at revitalizing American manufacturing and renegotiating trade deals to benefit American workers. He advocates for reducing economic inequality through targeted economic policies and has voted in favor of measures that support domestic job creation and protect U.S. industries from unfair trade practices.
Tax Reform: Vance supports tax policies that benefit working families and small businesses. He has voted for legislation aimed at lowering taxes for middle- and lower-income families while advocating for tax cuts that spur economic growth and investment in the U.S.

Opioid Crisis:

Treatment and Prevention: Vance is committed to combating the opioid epidemic through increased funding for treatment and prevention programs. He supports legislation that enhances resources for addiction recovery services and improves access to mental health care.
Law Enforcement: Vance backs measures that strengthen law enforcement efforts to curb opioid trafficking and distribution. He has voted for bills that provide additional resources and support to law enforcement agencies tackling the opioid crisis.

National Security and Defense:

Defense Spending: Vance supports robust national defense measures and has consistently voted for the “National Defense Authorization Act” to ensure military readiness and support defense initiatives. He advocates for policies that enhance the capabilities and strength of the U.S. military.
Cybersecurity: Vance has focused on enhancing cybersecurity measures to protect national infrastructure and sensitive information. He supports legislation that strengthens the U.S. cyber defense framework and improves coordination between government and private sector entities.

Education:

Vocational Training and Apprenticeships: Vance is a strong advocate for education reform, particularly in improving access to vocational training and apprenticeships. He supports policies that provide students with more pathways to success beyond traditional four-year college degrees.
Student Loan Reform: Vance has supported measures aimed at reducing the burden of student loans and making higher education more affordable. He advocates for policies that promote financial literacy and responsible borrowing.

Social Issues:

Conservative Values: Vance upholds conservative values on social issues, including opposition to abortion and support for religious freedom. He has supported legislation that restricts abortion access and protects religious liberties.
Second Amendment: Vance is a strong proponent of Second Amendment rights and has consistently voted against measures that would impose additional restrictions on gun ownership.

Senator Vance’s voting record reflects his commitment to conservative principles, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, market-based healthcare reforms, strong national defense, and traditional social values. His stance on environmental issues seeks to balance economic growth and energy independence with the development of renewable energy sources.