Valley congressman leads the charge for more funding to fight drug abuse

Congressman Tim Ryan is leading a bipartisan coalition of 23 members of Congress calling on President Donald Trump to include full funding of $9.3 billion to fight the opioid and prescription drug epidemic in the United States. “This epidemic is costing our nation $700 billion nationally in health, crime and lost productivity costs, but that is nothing compared to the toll it is taking on our families and friends.

MT: ‘Poet-musician’ among Democrats running for congressional seat

“Democrats from across Montana converged in the capital Sunday to nominate a candidate to fill the state’s only congressional seat, vacated by Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke to lead the U.S. Interior Department. About 150 delegates were choosing from eight candidates, including two legislators and several political newcomers, to represent the Democratic Party in a special election May 25. ‘I come here not as a career politician rising through the ranks,’ said Rob Quist, a well-known entertainer.

Montana Democrats picking candidate for congressional seat

Democrats from across Montana converged in the capital Sunday to nominate a candidate to fill the state’s only congressional seat, vacated by Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke to lead the U.S. Interior Department. About 150 delegates were choosing from eight candidates, including two legislators and several political newcomers, to represent the Democratic Party in a special election May 25. “I come here not as a career politician rising through the ranks,” said Rob Quist, a well-known entertainer.

Former Montana Rep. Zinke takes helm of Interior Department

In his first address to a joint session of Congress, Trump said largely what GOP leaders were hoping to hear Tuesday night, staying on-message and talking in optimistic tones In his first address to a joint session of Congress, Trump said largely what GOP leaders were hoping to hear Tuesday night, staying on-message and talking in optimistic tones The initial reaction signaled that Trump faces a fight with the GOP on the $1 trillion-plus portion of the federal budget that is passed each year by Congress. The initial reaction signaled that Trump faces a fight with the GOP on the $1 trillion-plus portion of the federal budget that is passed each year by Congress.

Mike DeWine and Jon Husted tie for fundraising lead as race for Ohio governor enters early phase

We have some early hints about the fundraising strength of several Ohio gubernatorial prospects and others considering bids for statewide office in 2018. Campaign finance reports submitted before a Tuesday afternoon deadline show that Attorney General Mike DeWine and Secretary of State Jon Husted — two top-tier Republicans preparing to run for governor — each entered 2017 with about $2.5 million on hand.

Dem strategist: Time to a Unleash The Biden

Readers may laugh , but Joe Biden might just be the short-term patch for what ails the Democratic Party. Longtime Democratic strategist Mark Alderman advises Democrats to put the 4o-plus-year denizen of DC on the road to connect with Middle America, calling the outgoing vice-president “the party’s best asset” for the task.

Paul Ryan expected to be re-elected as House speaker Tuesday

Paul Ryan is expected to be easily re-elected Tuesday as speaker of the House, kicking off the new Congress and marking a quiet end following a year that saw both parties questioning their congressional leadership. Ryan was re-elected by the House Republican conference in November to serve a second term as speaker of the House.

Elected officials in Montana condemn attacks on Jews

The two U.S. senators from Montana and its governor were among the state’s top elected officials who condemned attacks on the Jewish community there and across the nation. Sens. Jon Tester, a Democrat, and Steve Daines, a Republican, along with Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat, were among those who signed on to an open letter issued Tuesday.