Rokita skipping televised Indiana GOP Senate debate

U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita has decided to skip a televised debate planned for next month with the two other candidates seeking the Republican U.S. Senate nomination. The nonprofit Indiana Debate Commission announced Friday that U.S. Rep. Luke Messer and former state Rep. Mike Braun had agreed to the April 30 debate that will be made available to TV stations throughout the state.

Ap Fact Check: Gop Senate hopefuls twist truth in nasty race

In this Feb. 20, 2018 file photo from left, candidates Mike Braun, Luke Messer and Todd Rokita give opening statements from the Indiana Republican Senate Primary Debate at Emmis Communications in Indianapolis. FILE - In this Feb. 20, 2018 file photo from left, candidates Mike Braun, Luke Messer and Todd Rokita give opening statements from the Indiana Republican Senate Primary Debate at Emmis Communications in Indianapolis.

Senate candidate Rokita’s spending of ‘franking’ money’s out of control, some say

AP/FileToo much spending?: In this Aug. 9, 2017, file photo, U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Ind., speaks during a news conference outside of the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. An Associated Press review questions Rokita's spending of public money to support media campaigns, mailers and other forms of mass communication designed to raise his name recognition.

Election board in Donnelly’s home county challenges signatures for Braun

The election board in the home county of Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly wants an investigation into whether Republican candidate Mike Brain filed bogus signatures to get on the primary ballot. The South Bend Tribune reported the St. Joseph County Election Board, composed of two Democrats and one Republican, voted unanimously Thursday to ask the county prosecutor, Indiana State Police and the Indiana attorney general for the investigation after its review of signatures allegedly found discrepancies, including signers who were not registered voters.

Kochs launch $4M campaign against Dems in Missouri, Indiana

The Koch-backed group Americans For Prosperity plan to launch a $4 million advertising campaign against Missouri's Sen. Claire McCaskill and Indiana's Sen. Joe Donnelly. An AFP spokesman said Tuesday the ad campaign will run on TV and the internet for three weeks beginning Thursday.

A Koch Brothers Group Is Targeting These Democratic Senators for Voting Against Tax Reform

The political arm of the network helmed by conservative and libertarian mega donors Charles and David Koch is investing millions in an ad buy targeting two Democratic Senators up for reelection this year in states President Trump won by a landslide for failing to support the tax reform bill. The group, Americans for Prosperity, is launching the $4 million ad campaign on Feb. 15 against Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill and Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly.

Conservative Group Targets McCaskill, Donnelly on Tax Vote

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., is the target of a new ad on the tax overhaul. The conservative group Americans for Prosperity is launching a multi-million dollar ad campaign Monday aimed at two vulnerable Senate Democrats over their vote against a bill overhauling the tax code.  Americans for Prosperity, which is backed by billionaires Charles and David Koch, is dedicating $4 million  for television and digital ads targeting Sens. Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Joe Donnelly of Indiana.

Lobbying expenses spiked as Congress shaped tax overhaul

This Dec. 3, 2015, file photo shows an existing home for sale in Roswell, Ga. Money spent on lobbying by corporations, trade associations and special interest groups spiked during the final three months of 2017 as they battled for the biggest breaks possible in the most dramatic rewrite of the U.S. tax code in more than 30 years.

GOP hopefuls Messer, Braun file for Senate race

Two of the leading Republican candidates for their party's U.S. Senate nomination have filed the petition signatures needed to appear on the May primary ballot. U.S. Rep. Luke Messer and former state Rep. Mike Braun submitted their petitions Wednesday with the Indiana Secretary of State's office.

Donnelly-Supported Legislation to Protect Amateur Athletes from Sexual Abuse Passes House

Bipartisan legislation that U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly helped introduce and pass in the Senate last fall to protect amateur athletes from sexual abuse passed the U.S. House of Representatives today. The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act would require amateur athletics governing bodies to report sex-abuse allegations immediately to law enforcement or a child-welfare agency designated by the Justice Department.

Senate rejects bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks

The Senate on Monday rejected legislation designed to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, a vote that put vulnerable Democrats on the record on the issue during an election year. The vote was 51-46, short of the 60-vote threshold to advance the bill.

No deal in Senate as shutdown expanding

The Air National Guard's 122nd Fighter Wing said that exempt federal technicians and active-duty personnel would continue to carry out essential operations at the base today but that non-exempt technicians would be furloughed.

Indiana’s Gop Us Senate field will be set over next month

The monthlong period for political candidates to enter Indiana's May primaries is opening, during which time the size of the Republican field for the party's U.S. Senate nomination will be determined. The Republican race to decide the challenger to Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly will be Indiana's top primary race.

Time to conquer – crisis’ of opioids

Recently we noted Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly had urged President Trump to follow through on his promise to declare the ongoing opioid crisis a national emergency and direct federal resources to address the epidemic. Like Donnelly, we believe this insidious issue constitutes immediate attention.

Indiana National Guard unit honored ahead of deployment

That's something he's getting ready to do when he ships out to Kuwait with the 38th Sustainment Brigade for his third international deployment. But Weeks' departure from his family was made a little easier Tuesday evening after receiving a rousing sendoff from family, friends and elected officials wishing him well before the mission.