The Hill Articles: December 22, 2010

House vote on 9/11 benefits bill was held open for New York Rep. Velazquez OVERNIGHT TECH: Comcast-NBCU review will continue into next year Alaska Supreme Court rules against Miller OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Congress approves 9/11 health benefits Cantor creates Twitter account for new gig After election ‘shellacking,’ president racks up string of wins Obama touts legislative victories, reminds GOP he’s ‘persistent’ Bipartisan deal pushes 9/11 healthcare bill through Congress John Kerry’s finest hour Four Republicans up in 2012 vote to ratify START As Congress wraps up, lawmakers share wine, compliments, Christmas plans Obama plans to ‘immediately engage’ with Republicans on energy policy Six institutions pay back TARP loans; government makes slight profit Obama and Romney both in Hawaii for holidays U.S. seeks WTO talks with China over wind power subsidies Obama leaves Wednesday night for Hawaii vacation Plosser: Economy could grow up to 3.5 percent in 2011 McConnell ‘delighted’ to see 9/11 bill pass Longtime Dem Reps. Levin and Dingell could face redistricting danger CMS, Finance leaders look to curb Medicare waste Democrat vows to fight GOP attacks on new net-neutrality rules EPA chief pledges to help cities test for carcinogen in tap water Senate ratifies long-stalled nuclear arms treaty with strong bipartisan support Sen. Wyden returns from surgery to vote on arms treaty Mortgage applications drop steeply on higher interest rates Comcast merger delayed until next year Halliburton settles bribery case, says charges against Cheney dropped Brookings scholar floats 10 percent cut to defense budget The incoming House majority should not repeal new FCC rules (Rep. Bobby Rush) President Obama: It is my honor to sign the repeal of ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ Reid makes good on promise to advocate of ‘Don’t ask’ repeal Reid fulfills promise, returns West Point ring to discharged soldier Sales of existing homes up, market still sluggish Environmentalists brace for decision on massive oil pipeline project Deal struck to pass 9/11 workers’ healthcare bill Former Hillary Clinton political director named executive director at DSCC Anti-abortion group aims to influence race for RNC chairman Demographics and destiny Neugebauer wants regulators to freeze work on Dodd-Frank Winner chosen for Issa’s Christmas card contest Poll: Obama leads 2012 GOP hopefuls in Florida Markey calls for speedy review of chemical found in soap, other household products Democratic senator drops hold on DEA nominee Obama reiterates support for repealing Defense of Marriage Act Whittled-down defense authorization bill sent to Obama for signature Romney, Huckabee, Palin lead GOP field for 2012 nomination Analyst: Congress unlikely to overturn net neutrality Franken: Net-neutrality regs ‘no longer worse than nothing’ Merchants continue push for higher fee limits Repealing ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ makes our military stronger and more united (Sen. Harry Reid) Obama phones record-breaking UConn women’s basketball squad FTC launches online tools for consumer protection week Reviews of rate hikes might be extended to large groups Senate will vote on New START Wednesday afternoon Verizon VP lays out influential tech trends for the new year New GOP rules will make it tougher for House to raise ceiling on federal debt Democratic redistricting fight looms in Mass. Obama phones record-breaking UConn women’s basketball squad Issa gets help from Twitter on Oversight-themed holiday card The unkindest cut of all President signs repeal of ‘Don’t ask’ in big win for gay-rights advocates Gibbs, lawmakers cheer repeal of military’s gay ban FCC to explore text-message 911 service Blumenthal makes ESPN’s ‘Highlight of the Night’ Democrats take victory lap, claiming a ‘do-something Congress’ Gross domestic product grows, but below expectations Bring ROTC back to the Ivy League Senate to hold make-or-break vote on 9/11 first-responders health bill Firefighters urge Coburn to drop opposition to 9/11 bill Oracles can be wrong Texas lawmakers expect redistricting battle after state gains four House seats News Bites: Rising temperatures, questions about a BP probe, missing oil sands data, and more Is Rudy Giuliani a 2012 dark horse? Report: Boehner will keep controversial outside ethics office MORNING READ Gay-rights advocates say Dem leader Hoyer saved ‘Don’t ask’ repeal 75 House lawmakers miss vote to fund government OVERNIGHT TECH: FCC passes net-neutrality rules over strong opposition House passes spending bill, sets up Obama-GOP budget fight House passes bill to evaluate government spending on heels of two reports Senators ask EPA to act on report of carcinogen in D.C.’s drinking water