The Hill Articles: April 18, 2011

Barbour back in governor’s mansion after back surgery Stocks plunge after S&P shifts rating on US debt to negative Biden to host May deficit-reduction meeting New DNC chief wants to screen all gun sales Pelosi to Boehner: You’re keeping Dems in the dark on defending DOMA Worker on natural-gas production platform in Gulf dies Romney: ‘The Obama presidency was downgraded today’ Sen. Begich: Designate official to streamline drilling off Alaska’s coast DAY’S END ROUNDUP Lawmakers witness tornado damage in NC, across the South Palin’s new website offers more interaction for supporters Tech firm founder to plead guilty in $9M Naval kickback scandal In Florida, Pelosi lobbies seniors against GOP’s proposed changes to Medicare Orrin Hatch’s PAC donated to Lugar, Snowe Google displeased: The FCC is too slow, company says Boehner refuses to host Cinco de Mayo reception Cantor: Tea Party is GOP’s ‘surge protector’ against big government Rep. Sherman proposes committee to explore endless FOIA delays Panama trade deal gets green light Citing immigration reform, liberal House Dem might not back Obama in 2012 OPINION: Run, Donald, run; it’s good for Dems Bipartisan group of lawmakers heads to Colombia for trade talks Drilling on the agenda as Clinton, Salazar prep for Arctic meeting Benghazi: A huge sense of optimism for the future Obama’s 2010 return: $454K in federal taxes on $1.7M in income Issa: Regs ‘hampering’ tech industry EPA: 2009 greenhouse gas emissions were lowest recorded since 1995 Rep. David Wu gets a primary challenger AIG to get out of the railcar leasing business Rep. Frank: Administration ‘wasting time’ with online poker crackdown FDA revamps website with link to recalled foods Fair pay is a bread-and-butter issue Palin’s political action committee launches new website MoveOn.org stages 300 Tax Day rallies Stirring up trade policy thinking Dem lawmaker warns GOP on debt-ceiling ploys Pentagon: Price of big-ticket weapons programs grew $64 billion in 2010 Goolsbee confident debt ceiling will be raised Sirius XM leases channels to minority communities Budget cuts are meaningless without Fed transparency Rep. Campbell proposes tax form change to encourage donations to the government Sen. Kohl reported no fundraising activity for the first quarter Boehner asks Pelosi to join him in cutting funds from the DoJ to defend DOMA McCain fears ‘stalemate’ in Libya White House: S&P rating underscores need for bipartisan deal BP has paid spill victims $3.8B to date Budget’s effect on health law unclear FAA administrator and union chief to tour flight control facilities House GOP leaders seize on S&P shift to call for more cuts Elizabeth Warren for senator A perfect case in point Charlie Crist donates to Allen West’s opponent GOP freshman: Faith in Boehner shaken after 2011 spending fight After S&P statement, House Dems continue push for clean debt-ceiling hike Franken suggests GOP misread mandate Companies call for Netflix probe in Canada Rep. Bachmann unsure on SC debate Brady: S&P shift shows Obama must embrace Ryan plan Frank: Discrimination against gays will soon be a thing of the past Don’t blame the Santa Ana Sucker Goolsbee on S&P: Dems and GOP not that far apart Rep. Latta introduces spectrum bill Tax reform should level the playing field for small business Boehner, House delegation visit Pakistan for ‘frank’ talks on extremism ‘Harry Potter Alliance’ teams with Free Press to promote net-neutrality rules Supreme Court punts on fast-track review of healthcare law News bites: Google brushes off Korean complaint NLRB skirts formal rulemaking requirements Spill panel chief wary of oil lobby’s role in new safety institute Sen. Hatch gets called for jury duty News bites: Not LaHood’s grandkids What ever happened to jobs? Obama will use recess to seize momentum in 2012 spending fight Sen. Hatch gets called for jury duty Editorial: Genachowski speech yields ‘grumpy’ broadcasters Donald Trump for president? Green group targets lawmaker votes to block EPA climate regulations Commissioner Clyburn: Women integral to public-safety operations US must dig on rare earth metals Republican: Obama’s attacks on Paul Ryan ‘great’ for GOP News Bites: Tax Day arrives Former U.S. commander in Iraq poised to enter Texas Senate race ‘$58,000 per second’: Member wants debt clock displayed in House chamber A tax season to remember News bites: Supreme Court to weigh in on health law challenge at 10 Reid leading Senate delegation on weeklong trip through China News bites: The BP spill a year later, climate change suit reaches Supreme Court, and more MORNING READ Microsoft, Google to testify at Oversight hearing on federal regs