The Hill Articles: December 14, 2010

Think like voters on tax compromise Weyants World: December 15, 2010 Towns won’t seek ranking Democratic spot on House oversight committee To Obama: Wimps don’t win Reform the filibuster Bahamas denies connection to suspect accused of impersonating lawmaker Senate appropriators fund second F-35 engine, defying both Obama and Gates Romney criticizes unemployment benefits system Boehner pressures Obama to veto $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill House Democrats urge longer extension of unemployment benefits OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Obama officials warn individual mandate must be kept Senate appropriators back Navy’s plan to use two contractors for combat ships Pelosi’s communications director to join PR, lobby firm Republicans slam omnibus bill’s healthcare reform investments Shelby strongly opposes FHFA nominee as administration “lapdog” Poll shows Sen. Kohl in ‘solid position,’ but GOP points out same was said of Sen. Feingold Richard Holbrooke (1941 – 2010) DAY’S END ROUNDUP First New Hampshire GOP primary debate announced Gibbs: No surprises in Afghanistan review Pelosi says House will vote Wednesday on ‘Don’t ask’ repeal Exclusive: Engage snags RGA Web director Omnibus appropriations bill would expand offshore drilling review period Green finance group seeks greater SEC disclosure of offshore drilling risks Thune: ‘Easy’ and ‘expedient’ to criticize negotiated tax deal Pharmacists’ lawsuit to be dismissed after Medicaid agency abandons payment cuts Sanders tells DoJ to block NBC-Comcast merger Virginia ruling won’t skip federal appeals court Pence will vote against tax cut deal Mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel defends claim of Chicago residency Rick Perry’s ‘Fed Up!’ An Eagle Scout’s guide to states’ rights Sen. Judd Gregg will be missed (Sen. Jeanne Shaheen) Obama’s FHFA nominee cleared by Senate Banking Committee The Big Question: Is Steele 2.0 a good idea? Fed sticking with QE2 as economy trudges along Leading Dem: Senate has votes to pass standalone DADT repeal Liberals giving up tax fight Report details 18 new regulations since passage of healthcare reform Sen. Bingaman signals revival of parts of his energy bill next year Abramoff leaves job at Baltimore pizzeria Senate Dems unveil $1.1T spending bill Obama meets with Gates, Buffett at White House Rep. Bachmann readying for possible ’12 grudge match Abramoff leaves job at Baltimore pizzeria Fate of Sen. Rockefeller’s block-EPA plan could be known today Report: Economy threatens emergency health preparedness funds WikiLeaks founder Assange granted bail by U.K. court On tax plan, Dems coming around, GOP turning back Reid, Senate Dems plan to move START arms treaty as soon as Wednesday Upton names Gary Andres Energy & Commerce staff director FDIC increases designated reserve ratio Repeal of healthcare law’s individual mandate highlighted as deficit-cutter Report: State transportation policies failing to significantly reduce emissions Group sees momentum before Thursday hearing in reform law challenge Hoyer not optimistic Congress will adjourn this week Congressman urges end of war using Holbrooke’s last words Hoyer says Senate tax vote reflects ‘urgency’ for middle-class cuts Sen. Claire McCaskill: ‘Every senator’s going to have to run their own race’ Lautenberg ‘Acelabrates’ 10 years of high-speed rail Retail sales increase, holiday sales forecast revised upward Dell to buy Compellent for $960 million HHS unveils public-private partnership to deal with multiple chronic conditions Sen. Nelson skeptical Senate can ratify START treaty with Russia by year’s end House Dems introduce standalone measure to repeal ‘Don’t ask’ Richard Holbrooke will be remembered as a warrior for peace (Sen. John Kerry) Women will be watching Corker assembling bloc to demand reforms ahead of debt vote Baucus and Hatch surprise Grassley with a love-fest GOP commissioners gin up opposition to net neutrality Obama’s numbers slide since 2008 win in Virginia Republican campaign committee fills key jobs Report: Boomers will benefit from reform law Cornyn gets testy with critical tweeter CEO confidence grows as Obama looks to reset relations with business leaders Richard Holbrooke: The peacemakers are blessed Census reapportionment numbers out next week News Bites: BP selling assets in Pakistan to pay for oil spill Striking down mandate would be ‘devastating’ Top Dems confident of final passage on tax deal this week Romney comes out against Obama’s tax-cut deal Player of the Week: Speaker Pelosi MORNING READ Diplomat Holbrooke dies after heart surgery Steele running for second term as chairman of the RNC OVERNIGHT TECH: Opposition building to Genachowski’s net-neutrality proposal Senate vote on tax package gives shot in arm to START treaty ratification Huge Senate majority votes to advance $858B tax-cut package