Sen. Portman Pushes Bill to Gut Governments Ability to Safeguard Consumers

Today, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, introduced the Senate version of H.R. 5, the Regulatory Accountability Act, which would require endless agency studies before new consumer protection rules could be adopted. The bill, should it become law, would make it virtually impossible for federal agencies to enact rules and safeguards to protect public health and the environment, noted EWG legislative attorney, Melanie Benesh.

John Kasich won’t rule out 2020 presidential run

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who failed to make a mark in the 2016 GOP primaries, said it was "very unlikely" that he would run for president in 2020 - but he didn't rule it out. John Kasich won't rule out 2020 presidential run Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who failed to make a mark in the 2016 GOP primaries, said it was "very unlikely" that he would run for president in 2020 - but he didn't rule it out.

Fairfield mother to be deported on April 19

An ICE representative said Maribel Trujillo Diaz is being held at a facility in LaSalle, Louisiana and she will be deported on Wednesday, April 19. Trujillo's husband has released a statement that says in part, "When Maribel's lawyer called yesterday evening to tell me that the appeal to the Sixth Circuit Court had been denied, I say that is another failure to stop the injustice that is being done to us as a family. My pain is greater because I am powerless to help her.

Opioid policy unites Democrats, Republicans on Capitol Hill

Extreme partisanship is rampant on Capitol Hill, but a glimmer of hope for cooperation is emerging from a dark place - the prescription painkiller and heroin crisis that's ravaging the country. It's an issue where all sides have said they want to act, though getting agreement hasn't always been smooth.

Trump and taxes: Back to drawing board, seeks GOP consensus

President Donald Trump has scrapped the tax plan he campaigned on and is going back to the drawing board in a search for Republican consensus behind legislation to overhaul the U.S. tax system. The administration's first attempt to write legislation is in its early stages and the White House has kept much of it under wraps.

US House and Senate introduce bipartisan bills against boycotts of Israel

WASHINGTON Republican and Democratic leaders in both houses of Congress introduced legislation on Thursday that would penalize international governmental organizations and foreign countries seeking to boycott, divest and sanction the State of Israel for its handling of its conflict with the Palestinians. The bill, supported by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, would amend the Export Administration Act of 1979 to include in its prohibitions on boycotts against "allies of the United States" those fostered by NGOs against Israel.

Trump budget has the GOP worried

In this Feb. 27, 2017, file photo, budget director Mick Mulvaney speaks to reporters at the White House in Washington. President Donald Trump unveils a proposed budget on March 16 that will sharply test RepublicansA' ability to keep longstanding promises to beef up the military by making politically painful cuts to a lengthy list of popular domestic programs.

Senators press Trump administration to help communities against antisemitic threats

All 100 senators are urging the Trump administration to help communities dealing with a wave of antisemitic activity, following a spate of bomb threats against Jewish institutions and desecration of Jewish cemetaries Senators press Trump administration to help communities against antisemitic threats All 100 senators are urging the Trump administration to help communities dealing with a wave of antisemitic activity, following a spate of bomb threats against Jewish institutions and desecration of Jewish cemetaries Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2nbiAoK WASHINGTON - Capitol Hill lawmakers are pressing the Trump administration to help local communities battle antisemitism following a rash of threats to Jewish institutions and vandalism at historic cemeteries.

Chorus of Conservatives Slam the Republican a Obamacarea Repeal

A growing list of conservative groups and lawmakers balked on Tuesday at House Republicans' plan to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, condemning the replacement health care bill "Obamacare 2.0." , a Republican health care bill that maintains some of the most popular provisions of the 2010 Affordable Care Act and was revealed on Monday. . "The overwhelming response from our activists is, 'This is not what we meant or expected when we voted for Congress to repeal Obamacare.

Republican health care plan trades coverage mandate for tax credits

House Republicans unveiled on Monday their long-awaited plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, scrapping the mandate for most Americans to have health insurance in favor of a new system of tax credits to induce people to buy insurance on the open market. The bill sets the stage for a bitter debate over the possible dismantling of the most significant health care law in a half-century.

Ohio Democrats Call for Sessions’ Resignation; Republicans Say Recusal Is Enough — Or Remain Silent

Ohio's congressional delegation split - largely along party lines - on whether Attorney General Jeff Sessions did enough by recusing himself from any investigation into Russian interference in the U.S. elections last fall. WKSU's M.L. Schultze has more on the reaction to confirmation that Sessions met with the Russian ambassador twice, then told Congress he had not.

Sessions recuses himself from future investigations into Trump campaign

Donald Trump has thrown his support behind his beleaguered Attorney General - saying he has total confidence in Jeff Sessions even as the lawyer rescued himself from an ongoing investigation into Russia's alleged interference in the U.S. election. Franken had asked Sessions during his Senate confirmation hearings whether he knew of any contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian Federation - and the Alabama Republican had volunteered that he had not.

AG Jeff Sessions recuses himself from Russia investigation

Attorney General Jeff Sessions will recuse himself from any investigations of ties between Trump campaign officials and Russia, he announced in a hastily organized press conference on Thursday. "I never had meetings with Russian operatives or Russian intermediaries as part of the Trump campaign," he said, seeking to stop the bleeding after a brutal day.

The Latest: More Republicans say AG should recuse himself

The top House Democrat says Attorney General Jeff Sessions lied under oath when he told the Senate Judiciary that he had no contacts with the Russian government and says he should resign. In the meantime, Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Marco Rubio of Florida joined a growing chorus of Republicans calling upon Sessions to recuse himself from any investigation on contacts between the Russians and President Donald Trump's campaign last year.

How they voted: 2-19

H.R. 428: To commission a survey to settle boundary and land ownership disputes along the Red River involving Oklahoma, Texas, and the Apache, Kiowa, and Comanche tribes. Area representatives: Marcy Kaptur , no; Bob Latta , yes; Jim Jordan , yes; Tim Walberg , yes.

The Latest: Another GOP senator undecided about labor pick

Ohio Sen. Rob Portman isn't ready to say he's supporting fast food executive Andrew Puzder as President Donald Trump's secretary of labor. A spokesman for Portman confirms he is one of at least six GOP senators who are waiting to hear Puzder answer questions Thursday at his confirmation hearing.