Ohio: Boehner

- A $96.7 billion spending measure to finance the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Senate is expected to consider its version Tuesday.

Passed/Failed 368-60

Democrats -- Yes: Boccieri, Dreihaus, Fudge, Kilroy, Ryan, Space, Sutton and Wilson; No: Kaptur, Kucinich

Republicans -- Yes: Austria, Boehner, Jordan, LaTourette, Latta, Schmidt, Tiberi, Turner

Source: Congress

HAMILTON, Ohio -- A sheriff who has attracted national media attention for his militant stance on illegal immigrants took early steps yesterday toward a possible run against U.S. House Republican Leader John Boehner.

However, Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said not to make too much of his visit to the county elections board to pick up a petition and filing information for prospective candidates.

"All I did was pick up a packet," Jones said. "At this point, I am the sheriff of Butler County, I am not a congressional candidate."

Jones, 55, said he is forming an exploratory committee to determine whether a bid for the 8th Congressional District is the right move.

WASHINGTON -- House Republican leader John Boehner has perfected the art of disagreeing without being disagreeable.

That's why the dapper congressman from southwest Ohio is the official GOP voice of opposition to newly elected President Barack Obama, charged with sowing the seeds for a Republican revival if the public sours on Obama.

The upbeat Boehner (prounounced BAY-ner) is not afraid to personally praise the president while dismissing his agenda as socialist. He applauds Obama's professed willingness to cut wasteful government programs and work with Republicans, while claiming his programs will return to "the era of big government."

"When the president reaches across the aisle, he'll have no stronger supporters than Republicans," Boehner recently told reporters.

Speaking to Columbus police recruits whose jobs were spared by the city's first share of economic-stimulus money, Obama announced that the Justice Department will begin sending more cash to central Ohio for local governments facing similar problems paying for police and anti-crime programs.

It's part of $61.6 million targeted for law enforcement in Ohio and $2 billion nationwide. The money will begin flowing within 15 days, he said, as federal officials approve plans submitted by states, counties, cities, villages and townships.

The money "will help communities throughout America keep their neighborhoods safer with more cops, more prosecutors, more probation officers, more radios and equipment, more help for crime victims and more crime-prevention programs for youth," Obama said.