The Hill Articles: December 9, 2010

Two GOP freshmen picked for Ways and Means OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Sen. Lindsey Graham plots return to energy talks OVERNIGHT TECH: Barton to keep lead privacy role Senators warn Fed to tread carefully on interchange fee rules for debit cards White House hopefuls take aim at arms pact Senate could unveil compromise tax bill Thursday night OVERNIGHT HEALTH: GOP blocks 9/11 health benefits bill Frank presses Pelosi to bring up Obama tax deal GOP senator: Funding bill a ‘Trojan horse’ for healthcare reform DAY’S END ROUNDUP Lieberman plans standalone repeal of ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ Administration’s vehicle labeling proposal faces opposition in the House Ben Bernanke, meet Ron Paul Harkin: Tax package extends ethanol credits, renewable electricity grants for one year Senate fails on repeal of ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ included in defense authorization bill Gravel mulls primary challenge to Obama in ’12 Expanding the global fight against corruption A tax-cut compromise that promotes jobs and a growing economy Holder to Senate: Strip language on Gitmo detainees from spending bill GOP to repeal and replace anti-earmark promise Virginia Republican weighing Senate run jabs former Sen. Allen White House confident tax deal will pass despite House Dem opposition Pelosi pledges to win changes as House Dems reject tax deal Gibbs: Obama hasn’t smoked in ‘probably nine months’ Lieberman, Collins praise companies for cutting off WikiLeaks Survey finds Obama more credible on deficit Mini-med plans must notify customers of limited coverage Conservatives upset that ‘Prince of Pork’ will rule spending panel Obama sits down with NPR Cato: Glenn Beck ‘mistaken’ about net neutrality Fed plans to propose interchange fee rule at upcoming meeting Bunning hits ‘stubborn’ Dems in farewell address Hastings’s power grab on energy rejected by GOP leaders DoD official: Climate change hinders military’s effectiveness Dicks still interested in top slot on Defense panel, will wait for caucus decision Senate’s top Dems vow vote on DREAM Act later this month Iowa GOP chairman running for second term Gibbs: Obama hasn’t smoked in ‘probably nine months’ Waters backs down from vote on ethics probe Centrist, conservative Dems up in arms over liberals’ tax deal backlash Levin wins ranking member spot on Ways and Means Committee Axelrod jokes about drunk driving, quickly backtracks White House touts efforts to reduce greenhouse gases Rep. King introduces anti-WikiLeaks bill Nominee to oversee Fannie and Freddie survives hearing The Big Question: Does Obama need to worry about a primary challenge? AFL-CIO announces opposition to South Korean trade deal, splitting union support A 40th birthday to remember Deploying Joe B. House passes Obama-backed doc fix Renewable energy grants appear headed for spot in tax package Social Security tax cut: A deal breaker Why a lobbyist as a chief of staff isn’t inherently a problem Moving forward with the tax deal (Rep.-elect Rob Woodall) Fashion Faux-Pas: Thompson sports head-to-toe denim, Blumenauer accessorizes with a plastic spoon Kerry urges FCC Democrats to vote for net neutrality Fonzie’s advice to Obama: ‘Keep your head down’ Pelosi: Dems will ‘work to improve’ tax deal before voting on it Empty promises: Many for-profit colleges lead students into debt with no diploma (Sen. Tom Harkin) Senate GOP blocks 9/11 first responders health plan bill Democrats ‘nearly unanimous’ in opposition to Obama tax deal Former union leader joins liberal think tank Senate Dems put DREAM Act on hold after House passage House DREAM Passage Puts Pressure on Senate (Rep. Mike Honda) Black net-neutrality supporters push back on CBC’s Rush endorsement Career colleges fulfill a vital role in the American education system (Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns) Senators: Ethanol credits are extended in tax deal Consumers asks government to crack down on ‘bill shock’ GOP senator introduces states’ rights bill prompted by reform law Fed critic Ron Paul wins oversight gavel Blue Dog Coalition joins Twitter EPA to hold national bed bug summit Liberal group launches new ad blasting Obama 54 House Democrats oppose tax deal Levin: Clock is ticking on defense bill Name Game: GOP lawmakers have strategies for learning freshman faces May: FCC should avoid online video conditions for Comcast merger Deficit commission members urge White House on budget talks More than 50 House Democrats oppose tax-cut proposal White House claims momentum in tax fight CURE honors Tammy Haddad Rep. McMahon eyes ’12 run, blasts liberals for acting like ‘petulant children’ Hoyer vents frustration toward Obama over tax deal ‘Operation Payback’ targets Sarah Palin Amid criticism from drill-state lawmakers, continuing resolution expands drilling review period “Free” Tree Lighting Tickets Sold Online Murray begins canvassing Senate Dems ahead of 2012 contests No dream Obama could now take back the Tea Party Obama attacks the public option Surgeon general: Tobacco smoke causes ‘immediate’ damage DeMint ‘impressed’ by Missouri Republican Steelman 51 percent say they’re worse off now than two years ago Waters announces support for Levin to lead Dems on Ways and Means Psychoanalysis of Kim Jong-il must end Republican EEOC recess appointee should be confirmed CEOs find new friend in Obama Estate tax proposal draws fire from conservatives who want full repeal Business groups back Obama on tax cuts, step up lobbying effort Report: Spills and ‘near-misses’ plagued oil industry ahead of BP disaster MORNING READ Ralph Nader: I am looking for someone to challenge President Obama in 2012 Neal wins support to lead Democrats on Ways and Means House passes DREAM Act, but bill faces tough Senate vote Thursday Two weeks on, one week off in shorter 2011 House schedule Don’t topple economy by rejecting tax deal, Obama tells the Democrats Sarah Palin hits out at the tax deal HUD launches investigation into possible discriminatory loan practices OVERNIGHT TECH: Upton meets with telecom subcommittee contenders; chairman’s dinner Thursday; first look at FSF video argument, pop quiz Tax-cut deal can’t be changed, Biden tells House Democrats House approves $1.1T to fund government through Sept. 30 Rep. Rangel takes refuge in unlikely spot Bishop: I could ‘trade places’ with Alec Baldwin Axelrod jokes about drunk driving, quickly backtracks Fashion faux pas: Thompson sports head-to-toe denim; Blumenauer accessorizes with plastic spoon Name game: GOP lawmakers have strategies for learning freshman faces Man arraigned in case of impersonating Rep. Kingston Digging into the foundation of the Christian-right movement Appointments From Georgia to the White House, biography traces the Carters’s path Panache of the past Keene’s column seriously distorts truth on Morocco