Dubbed the ‘voice of reason’ by CNBC’s Rebecca Quick, Senator Robert Jones Portman is a current United States Republican Senator from Ohio. Portman also proposed the “Back to Work Bonus” which Dr. Chhoda analyzed here.

In this new interview, Senator Rob Portman weighs in on the state of negotiations between the Republicans and the Democrats over the HEALS Act and called the 70% wage replacement for unemployment benefits a ‘good starting point’.

Dr. Chhoda analyzes this interview and explores:

Senator Portman’s response as to where things stand right now. The Senator was also asked about voters in swing states.

The Senator indicated the HEALS Act was a good ‘starting point’ (a sentiment echoed by many other GOP senators including Senator Pat Toomey). In a telling interview, Senator Patrick Toomey Jr, a United States Senator from Pennsylvania shared the same sentiment, and many other key details about the current state of negotiations. Watch that interview analysis here.

Portman was also asked about his thoughts on the liability protection component of the GOP bill, and he responded by saying that liability protection against frivolous lawsuits was important for businesses, school teachers, healthcare, restaurants and non-profits.