Three percent economic growth is possible, but it will require elements that have not been included in President Donald Trump's proposed budget blueprint plan, Sen. Rob Portman said Wednesday.
"I hope we can get the 3 percent, but it's going to require these other elements that are not part of the budget, including tax reform," the Ohio Republican told Fox News' "Happening Now" program.
"Other issues have to be dealt with, like the increase of cost in healthcare. I think the key is to restrain spending, but get the economy moving again."
He does believe that by the end of this year, tax reform "is very possible," as there is "more consensus around tax reform than there is around healthcare, and I think there is an opportunity for Republicans to come together on an agenda that has lower taxes, by getting rid of some of the complexity of the tax code."
Portman also commented on Trump's call for NATO partners to pay their "fair share," saying that bringing in that money would be "incredibly important."
"We do have to do more in terms of protecting our country right now," said Portman. "Our military is not ready because we have cut too much, particularly with regard to preparedness over the last few years."
It helps though, to have the nation's allies working with the United States, as it projects more force, especially with NATO.
"They have similar communication systems, the same weapons systems," he said."They're able to essentially make it easier for us to not have to put as much funding into our defense, particularly for them."
Portman said he does think Trump's overseas trip has been positive, as "the notion of America's leadership role has been eroded over the past eight years."
"I think we are seeing through this trip and through some other measures that have been taken, a reassertion of America's global role," said Portman, "not as the world's police, but more like the sheriff."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.