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.

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.

It Begins: New Conservative Ad Ties Vulnerable Red State Democrat to You-Know-Who

Even if Democrats are favored to take back the House of Representatives later this year -- though their clear-cut advantage has eroded in recent days amid terrific economic news and a failed Democratic government shutdown -- the Senate is a different story. The 2018 map heavily favors Republicans, so much so that it would take a gigantic blue wave to wipe away their upper chamber majority.

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.

Indiana National Guard unit set for deployment to Kuwait

National Guard officials say about 250 members of the 38th Sustainment Brigade will be recognized during a departure ceremony on Tuesday at the Kokomo Event Center. The soldiers will be performing operations in countries such as Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq and Syria.

Marc Thiessen: Trump should make vulnerable Democrats who opposed…

President Trump raised eyebrows when he invited Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp to fly with him aboard Air Force One for a tax-reform rally in her home state of North Dakota earlier this year. For a vulnerable Democrat running for reelection in a deep-red state that Trump won by 36 points, appearing with the president was a political gift.

Rule by 50%+1

I think the editors of the Wall Street Journal are asking the wrong question in considering the completely partisan nature of the tax reform bill making its way through Congress: Part of the explanation is ideological. The Democrats as a party moved sharply left during the Obama years-on economics nearly as much as on identity politics.

Little-known lawmaker spends heavily on Indiana Senate bid

In this March 24, 2015, photo, State Rep. Mike Braun, R-Jasper, right, shows Marvin and Vicky Eisenhut, of Haysville, Ind., and their grandson Cooper Uebelhor of Ferdinand, 12, his office at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. The little-known but independently wealthy Indiana state lawmaker is plunging roughly $800,000 into his GOP Senate primary bid.

Donnelly Receives Award for Efforts to Address Opioid Epidemic

Tuesday, U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly received the 'Legislator of the Year' award from the National Council for Behavioral Health for his efforts to address the opioid and substance use disorder epidemics in Indiana and across the country. The National Council for Behavioral Health specifically highlighted Donnelly's bipartisan Strengthening the Addiction treatment and Workforce Act , introduced in June with Senator Lisa Murkowski , which would provide incentives for providers to practice at substance use disorder treatment facilities in underserved areas.

Farm Bureau members hone leadership skills

Indiana Farm Bureau concluded its 2017 Leaders in Action program in Washington, D.C., this month where members met with Indiana's national elected officials. The annual program is for Indiana Farm Bureau members looking to improve their leadership skills for the betterment of Indiana agriculture.

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden Gets Bypassed On Taxes By Trump

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden has authored two bipartisan plans to revamp the tax code, including one with a member of President Donald Trump's cabinet. "You'll have to ask them why," Wyden said in a telephone interview Thursday.

Trump, unpredictable ally for GOP, tests influence on taxes

When President Donald Trump announced plans to go to Indiana Wednesday to sell the GOP tax overhaul plan, party leaders cheered his engagement on the high-stakes issue. When the White House said one of Trump's traveling companions would be Indiana's Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly - a top target in next year's midterm elections - the hopes turned to head-smacking disbelief.