Rob Portman touts opioids work in first re-election ads

Sen. Rob Portman parlayed his work to combat the prescription painkiller and heroin crisis into a series of campaign ads Tuesday, as he tries to stave off former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and win re-election in November. Congress is trying to catch up with a devastating opioids outbreak that is killing more people than car crashes do in some places, and Mr. Portman , Ohio Republican, has frequently touted his efforts to stem the tide.

During this week’s recess, Rubio wants Congress to hear from voters…

President Barack Obama has an outspoken and unlikely ally in his push for more dollars to combat the rising threat of the Zika virus - former Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio. The Florida senator, whose home state has an alarming number of Zika infections, is ridiculing fellow Republicans in Congress for refusing to back the White House's request for $1.9 billion to fight the mosquito-borne virus.

Senate investigation finds ‘systemic’ failures at VA watchdog

The probe by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee found the VA inspector general discounted key evidence and left veterans in harm's way at a VA facility in Wisconsin. Senate investigation finds 'systemic' failures at VA watchdog The probe by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee found the VA inspector general discounted key evidence and left veterans in harm's way at a VA facility in Wisconsin.

Campaign Daybook: Trump Moved Assets to Tax-Friendly Delaware

The Republican nominee transferred dozens of the "Trump" trademarks for everything from hotels to ties to his U.S. golf courses into a new Delaware-based company as he papered for his White House run, Bloomberg's Lynnley Browning reports. By shifting more than 110 registered or pending trademarks to Delaware, Trump consolidated them in a state that doesn't tax income from royalties on intellectual property.

Sherrod Brown, Rob Portman find common ground in U.S. Senate despite party differences

Ohio Sens. Rob Portman, left, and Sherrod Brown - seen together in January at the Martin Luther King Jr. ceremonies at the Columbus Convention Center - have developed a cordial relationship despite their partisan differences. WASHINGTON - You wouldn't think they like each other or have anything in common: the soft-spoken, button-down conservative Republican from Cincinnati who served as U.S. trade representative under President George W. Bush, and the gravel-voiced, rumpled Democrat from Cleveland who wrote a book called "The Myths of Free Trade."

Kansas views on legislative elections, budget troubles, welfare restrictions, earthquakes

The ultraconservatives in charge have sabotaged the state economy, transferred the burden of paying for what's left of state government from businesses and well-off residents to those without resources to pay for anything additional, and without remorse are seeking re-election. How any of them can look at us with a straight face, let alone ask for our votes, is beyond the pale.

Gary Johnson wins Libertarian party nomination for president

Former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson won the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination on Sunday, fending off five rivals from different factions on two closely fought ballots and securing more than 55.8 percent of the total vote. "I will work as hard as I can to represent everyone in this room," Johnson said after his victory.

Blackburn forges ahead with inquiry

U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., insists there's no partisan agenda behind the investigation she's leading into the medical procedures and business practices of abortion providers. But the investigation has been roiled by partisan warfare for weeks, with Democrats charging that Blackburn and Republicans on the panel conducting the probe are abusing their authority and putting lives at risk.

Senate Introduces Concurrent Resolution Opposing Federal Excise Tax Increases

The 12-percent FET, the highest federal ad valorem excise tax , was first levied to help finance World War I. Sen. Cory Gardner introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 40 , expressing opposition toward increasing the 12-percent Federal Excise Tax on heavy trucks and truck bodies. Last year, House Representatives Reid Ribble and Tim Walz introduced companion legislation, H.Con.Res.33 .

Around Town: Lawmaker to Ksu: Bring art during budget talks

University presidents intent on displaying exhibits, such as the one Kennesaw State University had on AIDS last month, can expect to bring samples of their work down to the statehouse when making the case for their annual university budgets, said state Rep. Earl Ehrhart, R-Powder Springs.

The list of Republicans skipping the GOP convention grows over Donald Trump

In sickness and in health: Former Illinois athlete ties the knot with his fiancA e eight months after he had all four limbs amputated due to a life-threatening infection While Donald Trump will be the star of his convention, a number of the GOP's who's who said they won't be coming to Cleveland A number of GOP senators and House members have already said they're staying in Washington, D.C. to do work One of the previous GOP nominees - Bob Dole - will be heading to Cleveland while the Bushes, John McCain and Mitt Romney will stay home Donald Trump has said he wants to have a 'showbiz'-filled Republican National Convention in Cleveland, but he's also going to have to contend with a number of party no-shows.

Once opposed, now in favour: Republicans form an orderly line to endorse Trump

Marco Rubio not so long ago insulted Donald Trump's tan, made crude insinuations about his anatomy, and dubbed him a "con man" and "the most vulgar person ever to aspire to the presidency". Yet days after Trump clinched enough delegates to become the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, the Florida senator said he would speak on the billionaire's behalf if asked, and would release his delegates to Trump at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in July.

Topeka Memorial Day events include grave marker dedication for Lincoln bodyguard

A historical group dedicated a new Topeka Cemetery grave marker Monday for John Holmes, a bodyguard for President Abraham Lincoln. The ceremony was one of several held Monday in Topeka to honor veterans, with one featuring Sen. Pat Roberts as guest speaker.

The Most Interesting Characters From the Libert…

It's not just Republicans and Democrats gearing up for the 2016 election - Libertarians from across the country huddled in Orlando this past weekend to choose their presidential nominee. They're the voters who don't fit into the customary two-party divide: As social liberals and fiscal conservatives, they're pushing their own movement to create a viable third party.

In Meme-Moriam

This weekend, America will pause to honor the thousands of men and women who fought and died to preserve ExxonMobil's First Amendment rights, and protect it from the tyranny of justice. The effort to cast Exxon as victim of a cabal between state Attorneys General, environmentalists, and other ne'er-do-wells followed reports by journalists from InsideClimate News , the Los Angeles Times , and the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.

The stakes are high in 10 Maine Senate primaries

AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine legislative primaries are often easy to overlook, but the 10 Maine Senate nominations to be decided on June 14 will either alter the campaign calculus for determining control of the next Senate or pick runaway general election favorites. - Sen. Earle McCormick, R-West Gardiner, is leaving his seat, with Gardiner City Councilor Maureen Blanchard facing retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm.