The Hill Articles: December 22, 2009

Senate GOP agrees to short-term debt-ceiling vote before recess Strong McCaul challenger drops before filing deadline China imposes new Internet registration rules Tug-of-war Obama’s Christmas present: ‘sports stuff’ Give democracy a chance Griffith said Dem agenda is reason for his party switch Obama confident but acknowledges tough road ahead on energy DAY’S END ROUNDUP Final Senate healthcare reform vote is set for 8 a.m. on Christmas Eve Obama calls into radio station as ‘Barry from D.C.’ White House seeks to spur bank lending Final vote on Senate health bill set for Christmas Eve at 8 a.m. TOP TWEETS Sen. Landrieu on healthcare vote: ‘I can’t be bought’ Stupak: House abortion-rights foes may oppose Senate healthcare bill Baucus, Grassley pledge quick action on expiring biodiesel credit Rahm Emanuel gave $2,000 to Griffith in January Lieberman wants cyber security coordinator to be confirmed Sessions: Griffith’s conservatism ‘has never wavered’ Baucus, Grassley pledge doesn’t include estate tax extension State of the Union prep begins Van Hollen: Griffith has ‘duty and responsibility’ to return money Palin: ‘Death panels’ may be in final health bill Majority-to-minority party changes in the House Sarah Palin: ‘Death panels’ may be in final healthcare reform bill The gift America needs most: Manufacturing Improve healthcare bill in conference (Rep. John Conyers) Pelosi takes on Palin over ‘death panel’ claim William Butler Yeats and the avatars Woman arrested for threatening Michelle Obama Senate leaders will return next week to plot health conference Dem leadership caught by surprise Woman arrested for threatening Michelle Obama Utility giant Duke Energy reaches $93 million settlement over air pollution violations Considering all paths to job creation Diaz-Balarts withdraw support for Crist in Florida Senate race ‘Parker Griffith’ now a Twitter trending topic MIDDAY ROUNDUP GOP lawmakers welcome Griffith on Twitter Storms in Midwest could move chamber to earlier vote on healthcare George Carlin and the ‘better-than-nothing future’ On Washington and poker White House: Deadline for Iran to accept nuclear deal is ‘very real’ Gibbs calls RNC Chairman Steele ‘delusional’ for CBO claim Feinstein bill highlights tension between renewable power, conservation McCaskill previews upcoming debate over healthcare tax provisions Obama might delay vacation for Senate vote Senate to vote on constitutionality of healthcare bill Playing healthcare poker White House names Schmidt new cyber security coordinator Harkin: Dems will revisit public option ‘in the near future’ Rep. Waters: House liberals to put up tough public-option fight Sanders: ‘Big money interests control’ Congress Palin must move beyond her shtick Liberal group tells supporters: No healthcare reform? No sex Report: Twitter to make profit for first time Reid: Senate needs to have a ‘Rodney King’ moment Report: Twitter to make profit for first time Reid asks Senate to remain civil as chamber edges toward final vote Graham doubts Obama will sign health bill by State of the Union Reports: Giuliani will not run in 2010 Drudge Report Huffington Post The Corner Crooks and Liars The Minority Report Ezra Klein MORNING READ Obama, small banks to discuss lending