The Hill Articles: July 2, 2010

FTC extends comment period for COPPA Giannoulias gets tax refund from family bank losses Steele’s Afghanistan criticism highlights Democrats’ mixed message on war DAY’S END ROUNDUP Connecticut defers high-risk pool decision after getting premium projections Senators want White House backing on comprehensive cybersecurity legislation GM will file initial public offering in August House Democratic Caucus starts new housing task force Blumenauer to revive bill that sparked ‘death panel’ controversy RNC Chairman Steele tries to stamp out controversial remarks Oil industry ramps up opposition to repealing tax breaks Obama honors troops with July 4 proclamation DGA tries to downplay 2nd quarter fundraising flop Few think stimulus helped, poll finds Liberal groups growing frustrated over Obama role in climate debate Dignitaries pack final farewell for Byrd Sunlight Foundation: Microsoft, Google ‘similar’ to telecom giants in revolving door hires McConnell, Murkowski to vote against Kagan Senate Democrats oppose House cuts to Obama school reform programs Kanjorski wants to avoid ‘nuts’ at town halls as lawmakers leave for recess Boehner video slams Obama Delahunt introduces bill to streamline payment of taxes for online purchases Clinton says Byrd joined KKK to help him get elected ‘Too cute by half’? Sharron Angle says she’s not a ‘birther’ Gulf Coast senators seeking small business tax help McCain sees ‘progress’ in Baghdad, tweets trip pic with Graham, Lieberman Barton hails Medicare competitive bidding program Google buys travel software firm for $700 million American Idol star visits National Archives The Hill’s Sam Youngman discusses Obama’s immigration stance GOP lawmakers request Medicare enrollment data ahead of healthcare reform changes 26 senators call for U.S. to host World Cup Senators introduce tax relief bill for Gulf Coast Capitol Hill telecom talks make little progress on fine print Kristol calls on Steele to resign Top Republican: Spy incident shows Russia ‘not our friends’ Reid touts hospital project in new ad Hot air Healthcare.gov — real info on new healthcare options Battle continues over Medicare competitive bidding program Bingaman ‘dubious’ about prospects for utility-focused climate plans MIDDAY ROUNDUP Senior House lawmaker tears into Senate Global AIDS group ‘very disappointed’ in president, Congress Lawmakers uncover fraud in LIHEAP program The Big Question: Is the U.S. headed for a double-dip recession? Obama signs flood insurance, homebuyers tax credit bills Addressing the settlement question is key to Middle East peace A how-to guide for never-ending bailouts (Rep. Peter Roskam) Obama and Reid in animated discussion before Byrd service Senators lend support to World Cup bid Not a recovery summer (Rep. Tom Rooney) President Obama announces $795 million in broadband grants Obama announces $795M in new grants to expand broadband Internet access Factory orders fall in May after nine months of gains Gloria Reuben in D.C. next week White House releases staff salary data Bill Clinton can save the Democrats — and the Obama presidency! Facts and fiction about Virgin Island’s economic development and Puerto Rico’s cash grab Boehner, Gibbs spar on jobs claims Democrats blast GOP for blocking benefits amid meager job growth Beau Biden joins Twitter Who we are Real recovery from unemployment will require less red tape Group needles Chamber with ‘Declaration of Independence’ Lawmakers uncover fraud in LIHEAP program Paul likens economic problems to decline of Roman Empire Hatch to vote against Kagan’s nomination Boehner backs latest request for Skype GOP obstructing immigration progress RNC chairman: Obama pursued Afghanistan war ‘trying to be cute’ Jobless rate drops to 9.5 percent; economy loses 125,000 jobs GSA revamps USA.gov Schwarzenegger to candidates: ‘You can’t neglect the abs’ Protecting those who need it the most (Rep. Brad Ellsworth) GOP says ‘disappointing’ jobs numbers result of Obama policies Will Arizona die from a drug overdose? Gov. Jan Brewer for president? Senate Dems hold out for bipartisan mine safety bill Top Democrat: ‘We’ll lose some seats’ Out-of-control illegal immigration (Rep. John Boozman) Sen. DeMint plans Kansas campaign stop MORNING READ Good morning tech Pending home sales plummet absent homebuyer credit Today’s health policy agenda E2 Round-up: Feds toughen oversight of BP waste disposal, deepwater drilling planned in Cuban waters near Florida, and more on ‘climate-gate’ researcher’s exoneration Russian spy ring may be last straw for Obama nuclear arms treaty Sen. Feinstein blames Pelosi for intel block Giannoulias lacking delegate support House approves funding for war in Afghanistan House Democrats pass ‘budget enforcement resolution’ by 215-210 First woman Speaker is ‘role model’ for Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz