Tagged: Congress

Kentucky Congressman John Yarmuth endorsed fellow Democrat Shelli Yoder on Friday in Indiana’s Ninth Congressional District race.

Yoder is facing Republican incumbent Todd Young in the fall campaign and has challenged him to a dozen debates across the district. The two campaigns have squabbled over the schedule of those forums in recent weeks.

Yarmuth says he looks forward to having Yoder as a partner in Congress, adding that she is a practical thinker.

"Shelli shares my commitment to making health care more affordable and insurance companies more accountable, protecting Medicare for this generation of seniors and the next, creating an economy that works for everyone, and standing up for our veterans," Yarmuth said in a news release.

In a surprise statement, Congressman Geoff Davis, R-Ky., resigned Tuesday.

Last December, Davis announced that he would not be seeking re-election for a fifth term in Congress citing a need to spend more time with his family. Today's announcement echoes that sentiment and comes fives months ahead of schedule.

In a statement on his website, Davis says he will step down effective immediately and cites family health concerns.

Recently, a family health issue has developed that will demand significantly more of my time to assist.  As a result, I cannot continue to effectively fulfill my obligations to both my office and my family.  Family must and will come first.

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation Friday that funds transportation programs and averts an increase in interest rates on loans for college students.

The packaged measure passed by a 373-to-52 vote and avoids a looming deadline that would have doubled Stafford loan rates to 6.8 percent on July 1. The bill also pays for construction of highways, bridges and other projects over the next two years.