The Hill Articles: July 22, 2010

Sherrod firing conjures up USDA’s history of civil rights struggles Draft green-industry outline may help climate talks Race trumps jobs as White House message is obscured again Appointments Finance begins processing a whole host of tax issues Unions ‘concerned’ with new version of campaign finance bill Obama: Vilsack ‘jumped the gun’ in firing Sherrod Langevin set to preside as first member in wheelchair Frank references ‘Oz’ to say Democrats aren’t considering a value-added tax The ultimate D.C. power players All things Japanese Q&A with With Lee Edwards Mexican ambassador visits Twitter headquarters Rep. Rangel’s primary opponent Paving a path to immigration reform Green groups lament Senate’s punt on climate bill, blame coal and oil lobbies Landrieu blasts Republicans for opposing $30 billion lending fund Tortoise and the hare Same as the old boss McChrystal retirement ceremony to take place Friday Romney recognizes former Nevada governor with tweet Bernanke says extending Bush tax cuts would help the economy DAY’S END ROUNDUP Senate gives up on moving climate bill before August break Palin plans to hike peak … that doesn’t exist Senate GOP leaders seek math behind HHS’ premium hike estimates Poll: Indecision reigns in Florida Senate primary Debt issues rise to top during unemployment benefits debate LeMieux could withhold support on cloture for small-business bill Lawmakers want meeting with Obama on Korean trade deal Palin criticized for ‘Sweettooth’ McKinley reference LeMieux withholds support for cloture on small-business bill Missing the message Medical malpractice insurance bill clears House subpanel Fran Drescher stops by Capitol Hill Grassley concerned Reid might bigfoot Finance Committee decision on Bush tax cuts Republicans on the wrong side of history by opposing energy reform (Sen. Harry Reid) Call for conservatism to untangle government (Rep. John Culberson) International tax increases included in upcoming jobs bill Weyants World: July 23, 2010 Hoyer ridicules Bohener’s ‘read the bill’ initiative Consumers groups applaud new insurance reforms Dems hit GOP candidates for votes on unemployment extension (updated) Putting the focus back on American families with jobless benefits (Rep. Jim Costa) Liberals call for tight restrictions on how health plans can spend their money The right time is now: Prioritizing Social Security (Rep. Jim McDermott) First family will travel to Gulf Coast next month Obamas to vacation on Florida’s Gulf Coast Sen. Sherrod Brown takes Byrd’s place on Appropriations Committee Sen. Sherrod Brown takes Byrd’s place on Appropriations Committee House Dems: Extension approved, ‘on the way’ to the White House Defense board to recommend that Gates eliminate Joint Forces Command Boxer: GOP support for energy bill still possible BP safety official gets a grilling in the Senate Kerry vows to push ahead with effort for broader energy bill Rep. Maloney gets Koch’s blessing Snowe signals opposition to small-business bill MIDDAY ROUNDUP Reid to Senate Dems: Climate change bill will wait until autumn House Dems pitch public option as deficit buster Burris: Sherrod’s firing ‘a mistake’ House passes unemployment benefits extension, clears bill for Obama’s signature Palin takes shot at McCain camp for not defending her Liberal Dem: White House, Hill need climate strategy More issues at the RNC Obama’s demagogues: We are watching you Lieberman: Climate talks to continue if debate punted to fall Lawmaker: ‘Thank God’ Bush is gone Sen. LeMieux to back Democrats on small-business bill amendment Obama calls to express regret to Sherrod Nelson likely to support small-business bill Lawmaker: ‘Thank God’ Bush is gone Existing home sales drop 5.1 percent in June Dems benefiting from record defense PAC spending The Big Question: Should Dems let the Bush tax cuts expire? Dingell finds FCC chairman ‘frustrating’ Caucus to listen to Tea Party, not lead it (Rep. Michele Bachmann) Boehner announces second push for bill transparency online Top Republican: Fiscal commission putting tax hikes ‘on the table’ Boehner laments ‘unfortunate’ situation with Sherrod Pelosi doesn’t regret pushing cap-and-trade through House Pelosi rejects extending Bush tax cuts for wealthy Rep. Blunt to FCC: Reconsider retransmission consent Poll: Congress less popular than Big Business, HMOs Weekly jobless claims jumped last week An evangelical view of immigration reform After tiff with media critic, Grayson says he received death threat Worker groups to protest Massey CEO Thursday Republican John Raese jumps into W.Va. Senate race Boucher, Terry to unveil USF reform bill CBO: Public health option would save $68 billion through 2020 What’s really at stake in the fight to extend unemployment benefits (Rep. Raul Grijalva) Senate to return to small-business bill Thursday afternoon Nuclear energy and the global energy crisis — U.S.-Russian cooperation can help Ready for a real debate about jobs (Sen. Mitch McConnell) British lawmakers call for end to U.S. ban on PMOI following court ruling Black Caucus head: Government ‘held hostage’ by Fox and other media Boehner said he’d quit smoking if his friend did Norton unleashes ‘high heels’ ad in Colorado Grayson says he received death threat Top Obama adviser: Economic outlook ‘uncertain’ House to vote on jobs bill next week Sherrod wants conversation with Obama Protecting the vulnerable by cracking down on cyberstalking (Rep. Loretta Sanchez) Geithner: Warren ‘absolutely’ qualified to head consumer agency Geithner calls repeal of Wall Street reforms ‘inconceivable’ Bachus unconcerned with challenge to top Financial Services spot Geithner: Fannie, Freddie new top legislative priority Worker groups to protest Massey CEO Thursday Fate of Bush tax cuts unclear Make it in America (Rep. Steny Hoyer) Brown vs. Kerry: Sports rivalry heats up Georgia on the mind of Republican 2012 candidates Bringing jobs back home (Rep. Frank Wolf) A White House consumed with race Sherrod’s knowledge is unmatched (Rep. Sanford Bishop) MORNING READ Liberal group bolsters Reid in Nevada on heels of Wall St. reform Poll: Clinton more popular than Obama Healthcare Thursday Good morning tech Oversight chairman wants more info on Sherrod firing Five Dems vote to kill lawsuit against Ariz. immigration law Rep. Miller predicts House will consider plan to block new BP leases Dems may keep Bush tax cuts Wall St. bill boosting Washington economy Feds dismiss post-Enron tips of fraud E2 Round-up: Big oil commits $1 billion to improved spill response system, BP faces questions about well cap timing, and the oil giant’s lobbying rose as the spill continued Liberals fret over cuts to oil legislation as it moves to the floor Rockefeller deals blow to FCC proposal Lieberman introduces bill to allow D.C. statues in Capitol Dems reserve airtime ahead of election White House apologizes over race debacle amid criticism from CBC Defense industry PACs hike giving Rivals in estate tax fight are calling on lawmakers to move on restoration 12 Dems press Reid on carbon curbs as energy bill talks continue Panel debates an overhaul of OSHA workplace rules