CLEVELAND, Ohio—Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio) participated in a kayaking race with wounded veterans on Tuesday, raising awareness and funds for an organization that helps disabled service members rehabilitate after returning from the battlefield.
Portman has been volunteering with Team River Runner since his years serving as a U.S. trade representative in the George W. Bush administration. Team River Runner is a non-profit organization with chapters throughout the country that teaches thousands of active-duty military members and veterans how to kayak as a means to healing mentally and physically.
Portman paddled with former service members for nearly an hour in the Cuyahoga River on Tuesday. He faced off against Ryan Major, whose legs were severely injured by an improvised explosive device during the Iraq War in 2006, in a kayak race, which the senator lost. Portman helped train and guide Ryan as part of his work with the organization.
Portman outlined his legislative efforts to help veterans after the event when asked by a reporter what members of Congress should do to improve health care at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA’s network of hospitals has exhibited persistent challenges in delivering timely and effective care to the nation’s service members, which Portman and other lawmakers have focused on fixing. Their efforts gained new urgency following the fake waiting list scandal two years ago.
Portman drew attention to legislation he introduced that would compel the VA to focus more on mental health, particularly traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. Portman also highlighted his co-sponsorship of the Veterans First Act, bipartisan legislation that would make it easier for the VA to hire and fire senior executives.
"In terms of the VA system generally, I’m looking for more accountability," Portman said. "The kinds of things we have seen from the waiting lists and the inattention to veterans is totally unacceptable."
Executives at several VA hospitals, including one in Cincinnati, Ohio, have been exposed for poor leadership or misconduct. There have been several legislative efforts to expand the VA’s firing powers, though some have met with resistance from the Obama administration and federal employee unions. The VA recently stopped using fast-track firing powers afforded to it following the 2014 wait list scandal, citing legal challenges.
"I have also been supportive of giving veterans the ability to seek health care in the private market if there’s not a VA facility near their home," Portman said, adding that the proposal would expand choices in place for veterans who face excessive waits or live long distances from VA facilities.
Tuesday’s event was attended by supporters, veterans, and members of the media, as well as lawmakers Sen. Roger Wicker ( R., Miss.) and Rep. Bob Gibbs (R., Ohio). All the proceeds were donated to Team River Runner to help the organization provide training and kayaking equipment to veterans at more than 50 chapters across the country.
The "Paddling with Patriots" event was one of several organized by the Portman campaign as part of the candidate’s "mini convention" timed to coincide with the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Portman is not scheduled to speak at the convention, but he did appear on the floor of the Quicken Loans Arena to speak with members of the Ohio delegation on Monday, he said.
Portman, who faces a reelection challenge from former Ohio governor Ted Strickland (D.), also hosted a volunteer appreciation event on Monday to celebrate the roughly 2.8 million voter contacts the campaign has made in the state. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Sen. Joni Ernst (R., Iowa) attended that event.
At an invite-only reception, the Portman campaign offered an exclusive look at internal data showing the candidate had made gains among swing voters in recent months because of the grassroots operation.