IN Rep. Rips Weak Immigration Enforcement After Colts Player Killed by Twice-Deported IllegalCNS News

Indiana Republican Rep. Todd Rokita called for increased vigilance in protecting U.S. borders and enforcing immigration laws, in light of news that an illegal immigrant suspected of drunk driving killed two Hoosiers - including Indianapolis Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson - on Sunday.

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.

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.

The 10 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2018

The most interesting Senate race in 2018 might have nothing to do with whether Republicans or Democrats control the chamber after this year's midterm elections. The decision Tuesday by Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah to retire teed up Mitt Romney - the 2012 Republican presidential nominee turned leading intra-party critic of President Donald Trump - to run for a job that would give him major influence over the remainder of Trump's presidency.

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.

Will surprise Alabama election result bring end to inaction in Senate?

When Doug Jones defeated Judge Roy Moore down in Alabama, Democrats picked up a seat in the U.S. Senate and Republicans dodged a bullet. Because the cheers from most Democrats and progressives were so loud, they drowned out the sighs of relief many Republicans and conservatives exhaled when Moore toppled.

2 Democrats top fundraising for US House challengers in Indiana

Two Democrats seeking to challenge first-term Republican U.S. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth for his southern Indiana seat have each raised more than $200,000 in the first three months of their candidacies. Federal campaign finance reports filed by attorneys Dan Canon of New Albany and Liz Watson of Bloomington showed they've been the most successful fundraisers among potential challengers for Indiana's U.S. House seats in the 2018 elections.

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.

Former aides to GOP lawmaker describe toxic work environment

Working for four-term Republican Rep. Todd Rokita of Indiana is an exacting job with long hours, made more difficult by a boss known for micromanaging and yelling at his staff, according to 10 former aides who spoke to The Associated Press. All but one of the former staffers spoke on the condition of anonymity out of concern of retribution from the congressman, who is in a competitive GOP primary for the chance to challenge first-term Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly in next year's midterm elections.

Little Known Bill on ELDs Quietly Gaining Supporters in US House

A U.S. House of Representatives bill that would delay the December mandate for electronic logging devices is quietly gaining co-sponsors despite lacking support from congressional Republican leaders, a committee of jurisdiction and most of the trucking industry. As carriers continue to ensure their vehicles are equipped with ELDs by Dec. 18, legislation offered by Rep. Brian Babin in July has garnered six co-sponsors this month.

GOP rep jumps into Indiana Senate race

Rep. Todd Rokita officially jumped into the Indiana Senate race on Wednesday, a long-expected decision that formalizes what's already become a brutal Republican primary in the bid to unseat vulnerable Sen. Joe Donnelly Anti-abortion Democrats fading from the scene Senate Dems unveil trade agenda Senate pivots to tax reform fight MORE The Indiana congressman has long been gearing up for a bid and has not shied away from bruising battles with GOP opponent fellow Rep. Luke Messer , with whom he has sparred for months in one of the more contentious primaries ahead of the 2018 midterms.

Senate race off to pleasant start

When last we wrote about next year's U.S. Senate race, we were warning Hoosier Republicans not to take the seat for granted. Incumbent Joe Donnelly is not just a lucky Democrat who drew a bad candidate in Richard Mourdock in 2012.

Indiana Rep. Luke Messer announces 2018 Senate bid

Indiana Rep. Luke Messer announced Wednesday that he will challenge Sen. Joe Donnelly, who is considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats up for re-election next year. The GOP congressman, who represents Vice President Mike Pence's former southeastern Indiana district, took to Twitter to make the announcement.

Black’s Balancing Act: The Budget Gavel and a Possible Governor Run

Just three weeks into her new job as House Budget Committee chair-and 20 months before an election that could be pivotal to her political future-Diane Black already faces a tricky balancing act. The Tennessee Republican, whose foray into leadership came unexpectedly when Tom Price was tapped for the Cabinet last January, will now oversee the budget reconciliation process expected to serve as a vehicle for both Obamacare repeal and tax reform this year.

Agency delays plan for keeping Asian carp from Great Lakes

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had been scheduled to release draft results of a study begun in April 2015 on possible structural or technological upgrades at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois, a few miles downstream of a network of electrical barriers intended to repel the carp. A final version of the plan was to be released in early 2019.

Reward for info leading to arrest in murders of Indiana teens increases to $50K

The reward for information leading to an arrest in the murders of 13-year-old Libby German and 14-year-old Abby Williams has increased. The reward has increased by $9,000 after the office of United States Representative Todd Rokita donated the money, bringing the total up to $50,000.

Kellyanne Conway hires her own chief of staff

Kellyanne Conway, counselor to President Donald Trump and one of the most visible figures in the administration, is expanding her operation inside the White House by hiring a veteran congressional staffer as her chief of staff. Conway has recruited Renee Hudson, who has been serving as chief of staff to Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Ind., to work for her in the West Wing as her chief of staff, according to two Republican officials.