The Hill Articles: March 18, 2010

Rep. Rush opposes healthcare bill, then calls himself undecided Conrad asks for removal of bank exemption NRSC subpoenaed by grand jury in its investigation of Ensign Tough fight in Senate for FTC to gain more regulatory authority Brunching on a high note Dems defeat GOP effort to force separate vote on Senate health bill Appointments What’s on your nightstand? Rep. Brad Miller (D-N.C.) Conrad drops support for North Dakota provision to avoid controversy Romney has nothing to apologize for in his new book, ‘No Apology’ Real reform takes sacrifice Biden says health bill will help Dems in 2010 Steele denounces healthcare as ‘socialist utopia’ Bill introduced removing marriage penalty from home buyer tax credit Rep. Flake presses on in earmark probe House defeats Cantor proposal to condemn ‘deem and pass’ Obama agenda would boost exports, creating more jobs in United States Opening markets is likely to lead to employment rise Agreements promise boon for agriculture The Trans-Pacific Partnership could prove to be key step in right direction Pact between U.S., Panama will further strengthen nations’ ties Weyant’s World: March 19, 2010 Lambs to the Slaughter rule Toasting Scott Brown Dodd defends cuts to Fed supervision DAY’S END ROUNDUP Gordon (D) to vote yes Meek’s potential Abortion debate revived over Senate language in final days of health bill fight Sestak goes after Toomey — on Twitter AFL-CIO mobilizes behind final healthcare bill Meehan, Lentz locked in court battle over nominating petitions Kerry, Graham face balancing act with longshot climate push Thurs. blog roundup: HTC to fight Apple, YouTube fires back at Viacom House Ways and Means releases list of documents on health care Bipartisan push for spending caps falls short in Senate Hispanic Dems will vote yes on healthcare JCT releases report on health care legislation Conrad confirms bank exemption Senate investigative panel to probe Wall Street, financial crisis Ford and GM viewed more favorably than Toyota in wake of recalls Gains on real estate included medicare tax In a White House first, Gibbs holds Thursday briefing outside Republicans assail IRS provision in health care bill Cadillac tax thresholds contingent on rate of inflation Obama asks Cao to give health bill another look NCTA praises Rockefeller-Snowe cybersecurity bill Bipartisan Senate majority pushing Clinton on Western Sahara NRSC subpoenaed in Ensign investigation TOP TWEETS Dems defeat GOP effort to force separate vote on Senate health bill FULL TEXT: Read House Dems’ changes to Senate bill GOP targets IRS in latest health battle Hoyer lays out weekend schedule ahead of health vote Top Blue Dog: Slaughter solution is ‘poison’ Members turn out for first-ever Univ. of D.C. Capitol Hill reception Gibbs: Healthcare bill by ‘deem and pass’ will meet ‘constitutional muster’ Tech lobbying soars in 2009 Schauer stays a ‘yes’ Rep. Courtney joins Twitter Rep. King (R) slams Sabbath vote Meehan’s signatures face court challenge Reid vows ‘simple up-or-down vote’ on health bill in Senate YouTube exec: Viacom lawsuit would severely harm company; Viacom once tried to buy YouTube Net Neutrality not in conflict with copyright enforcement Capitol Police investigating suspicious package by Library of Congress Environmental Protection Agency to study controversial gas drilling method ‘Lost’ on Capitol Hill: Lawmakers and tourists get lost in the CVC The Big Question: Is $18B enough or too much money for jobs? Pelosi: Dems feel ‘very strongly’ about path forward for health bill This is it Obama cancels overseas trip to focus on healthcare Obama postpones overseas trip again Are U.S. Pot laws the root cause of Mexican drug violence? Three GOPers signal early opposition to some of FCC’s new broadband plan Obama tied with Romney in new poll MIDDAY ROUNDUP The Blue Dog-PAYGO conundrum Health bill would cover 32M, beef up Medicare drug benefit Tax writers applaud enactment of HIRE Act Health bill gets major labor endorsement Udall seeks tax credits for ‘community solar’ projects VIDEO: Biden swipes at Fox News, Palin CBO is a Twitter ‘trending topic’ Poll shows Hayworth closing in on McCain More ‘Demon Sheep’? President lauds CBO numbers on healthcare FCC seeking public comment on Comcast-NBC merger Democrats wavering on healthcare bill head to jobs bill signing The Uncaucus: Grassroots effort for Providence, R.I., mayor Don’t be fooled: New visitor badges coming to Capitol Hill Obama on Tiger: Still a ‘terrific golfer’ Rep. Ryan angry that Dems ‘abused confidentiality’ of CBO Paper giant Weyerhaeuser joins USCAP Bush, Clinton to travel to Haiti Hoyer tweets glee about health bill’s CBO score Obama praises jobs bill, but says more is needed Republicans ‘pissed’ they weren’t given CBO numbers Healthcare takeover will prevent job growth (Rep. Joe Wilson) Corker warns financial overhaul could codify government’s bailout powers Obama enacts Hire Act Justice Department subpoenas businesses involved in Ensign probe Corker: Dodd financial markup will be partisan Kyl blasts CBO figure on health care Government bank auditors also got big bonuses Waxman: CBO numbers ‘go a long way’ toward winning undecided votes Hildebrand primary threat doesn’t sway Herseth Sandlin GOP dismisses CBO report on healthcare More taxpayers could be hit by the Cadillac tax Daschle would ‘probably say no’ to cabinet position FTC commissioner rails on Google for Buzz launch GOP leader: All House GOP members to offer amendments at Rules panel Pence on healthcare: ‘We’d love to see a showdown on this’ CBO estimates out on health care Snyder’s 3-year-old: ‘I’m dressed like a congressman with no pants on!’ CBO: Health package costs $940 billion; Hoyer eyes Sunday vote for measure Obama to sign Hire Act into law today Bush, Clinton set to travel to Haiti Ethanol trade group warns of job losses if tax credit expires Chabot counting on Portman popularity Top of the ballot E2 Round-up: Automakers as free thinkers, more on the Senate climate bill, an oil sands report card, and more Ezra Klein RedState Daily Kos Huffington Post Hot Air Drudge Report MORNING READ Tough stretch ahead for Alexi Giannoulias Stupak: Health fight has been ‘living hell’ Sen. Bennet’s bad news may be real bad news for Sen. Bennett Democrats frustrated with ‘no’ health votes Unions flex muscle with bank protests Dems seize on NYT’s McConnell piece as Exhibit A against GOP ‘obstructionism’ Lawmakers still getting lost in CVC Senate GOP fails to reach agreement on earmark reform Obama to campaign for Boxer Lawmakers settle scores by going after sports teams Shadegg (R): ‘I would support single payer’ over individual mandate No CBO score released Wednesday; Saturday healthcare vote unlikely Sens. soothe mood with wine, cheese