The Hill Articles: August 3, 2009

Tax trial balloon pops Left is miffed at Pelosi over her comment No hard feelings – lobbyists pay $1M to honor Obama Reid juggles hectic final week agenda EIA says costs of climate bill modest at first Vets groups’ concerns on healthcare soothed Senate Dems at odds over health deadline Dealers revving up for clunkers fight Mortgage bill could be revived Glitch denies GI benefits to guardsmen Bottom Line Pedal Pushers: The pedicab industry eyes Capitol Hill Meet the Lawmaker: Rep. Gregg Harper (R-Miss.) Healthcare scheme would benefit illegal immigrants Coal group ‘outraged’ by forgeries Clinton ‘concerned’ about hikers, still engaging Iran DAY’S END ROUNDUP Republicans in New Hampshire scoff at D.C.’s role in Senate race ‘Get real,’ Brown-Waite tells applicants Reid warns of GOP ‘scare tactics’ on healthcare reform Farewell, Sally Crowe Dereliction of duty McCain fires back on ‘Clunkers’ after declining to filibuster more funds Recess tension within Arkansas delegation? Poll Watch: Obama enjoys slight uptick in approval rating McConnell skittish on extending ‘clunkers’ funding Cash for clunkers a tremendous victory for the American economy (Rep. Dale Kildee) House GOPer: W.H. advisers’ tax increase comments were ‘planted’ Sen. Enzi: No deadline for healthcare talks Roberts threatens to ‘shut down the Senate’ over Gitmo detainees Weyant’s World: August 4, 2009 Durbin warns other lawmakers of healthcare town hall ‘sucker punch’ Durbin backs Baucus’s Sept. 15th deadline for bipartisan health bill Non-alcoholic beverage tax to fund health care reform is unfair (Rep. Danny Davis) McCain to oppose Sotomayor Senate Dems have backup plans for healthcare White House: No change on middle-class tax hikes TOP TWEETS Reid slams ‘artificial controversy’ of Obama’s birth UPDATE: Beer summit sparks fight between MADD, restaurant group Rep. Sestak to announce Senate bid Tuesday Mr. President, the Campaign is Over Ben Nelson seventh NRA-backed sen. to support Sotomayor Congress may examine applying ‘clunkers’ model to other products NRSC to host fundraiser for N.H.’s Ayotte Obama works on bowling game at Camp David Pa. State Dem Party chair endorses Specter Senate Dems head to WH tomorrow for lunch with Obama Bank of America fined $33M by SEC in Merrill deal Clunkers: Still not enough answers Lawmakers prepare for August ambushes Grassley, Braley predict health vote by Thanksgiving Beth Noveck re: PeerToPatent and WikiGovernment on ‘On the Media’ Deeds takes jab at McDonnell on Twitter Rep. King: Healthcare reform ‘not a major issue among the American people’ MIDDAY ROUNDUP Cornyn eyes May 2010 for special election to fill Hutchison seat Obama hails post-9/11 GI Bill Grassley predicts mid-November vote for healthcare reform Specter wants Supreme Court open to cameras Bill Clinton makes healthcare pitch for Obama BunnyRanch brothel offers lawmakers ‘good time party passes’ Pentagon official tamps down rumors of possible new media ban Be Careful What You Wish For Chad Ochocinco fined for tweet at Obama, wants W.H. job Stop stalling offshore oil and natural gas production (Rep. Doc Hastings) Corker: Take ‘clunker’ extension out of stimulus funds GOPers tweet disagreement with new Gitmo proposal Top aides won’t rule out middle-class tax hikes Boehner: Obama isn’t a doctor, but he’s playing one on TV McCain: Deficits Are ‘Biggest Problem Ever’ Obama’s Health Plans Confusing McCain: Deficits Are ‘Biggest Problem Ever’ MORNING READ Liberals, conservatives pose threat to Baucus bill House members take recess cue to leave the country Senate Dems look for healthcare unity in final week Drudge Report Huffington Post The Daily Beast Right Wing News MyDD RedState Crooks and Liars Powerline Daily Kos Michelle Malkin