The Hill Articles: April 21, 2011

Sen. Ensign to resign; Rep. Heller likely to be appointed to seat Home prices fall in February President predicts Pelosi will again be Speaker of the House Hatch will oppose any deficit-reduction deal that includes raising taxes Huckabee’s ’08 campaign manager thinks he’ll run Republican senators talk trade in India JPMorgan finds economic damage from debt ceiling delay Business group calls for ‘serious’ budget plan DAY’S END ROUNDUP Chamber reports big drop in lobby spending NTSB releases details of Ted Stevens crash Rep. Conyers’s wife to stay in prison Gallup: Congressional approval at 17 percent Obama: Think about ditching those gas-guzzling SUVs Dem bill aims to curb gun trafficking Report: US on track to have smoke-free areas in all 50 states by 2020 Taxpayer watchdog group names Lindsey Graham ‘porker of the month’ Justice: Online poker players to get refunds; sites’ future still in doubt Obama authorizes drone strikes in Libya Obama launches Justice task force to look into gas prices AT&T: Merger will help US ‘win the future’ In Reno, Obama makes case against extending Bush-era tax rates Obama interrupted by singing protesters Southwest-AirTran merger to wrap up soon Schwarzenegger slams GOP-led bills to block pollution rules Leading indicators reflect expanding economy Corker for president? ‘Maybe someday’ House Republican: White House wants to ‘reward cronyism’ Upton, Waxman concerned about competition in the public safety device market Healthcare lobbying cools down one year after reform law’s passage Obama pens tribute to Rep. Giffords for ‘Time 100’ list Cantor: Past debt ceiling votes haven’t been ‘clean’ Rove warns GOP on debt BP to pay an initial $1B to restore Gulf Consumer confidence improving, although concerns remain over rising prices The congressional Republican agenda: Rejected by America TSA sweeps South Fla. trains Free Press triples lobbying expenditures VA Palo Alto social-media outreach GOP attacks House Democrats who voted against every budget Trump’s possible presidential bid an ’embarrassment,’ says Rangel Americans for Tax Reform: SAVEGO violates tax pledge Huckabee: Glenn Beck called me a Nazi Audit: Governments could reduce number of incorrect tax submissions Independent analysis says new Obama budget still falls short Key Republican in deficit talks rules out significant tax increases Another GOP lawmaker’s town hall heats up over Ryan plan Report: Deepwater Gulf oil production won’t hit pre-spill levels for years Top Democrat sues Federal Election Commission over anonymous donors Larry Dillard, longtime aide to Rep. Bobby Scott, dies Duffy: No problem raising debt ceiling if Dems ‘cut up the credit card’ Public safety group stages recess lobbying blitz Scooter firm to pay $100K for violating FTC’s Do Not Call list OSHA marks 40th anniversary with tough stance against funding cuts Secret Service to offer armored buses for 2012 campaign and beyond Debt elimination is a national priority Poll: Majority of Republican voters unenthusiastic about presidential field Poll: 45 percent of Republicans think Obama born out of US Kill Gadhafi News Bites: Apple’s profits soar RNC bests DNC in March fundraising Two air traffic controllers get fired Unemployment claims dropped last week Greens pounce on ‘fracking’ blowout, say ‘enough is enough’ White House readies ‘US Shake Out’ to prepare citizens for earthquakes Tax reform requires bipartisanship Policy post-Macondo: A year of living dangerously Former NM Gov. Gary Johnson launches presidential bid Pawlenty staffs up in New Hampshire Civil rights icon Lewis likens Georgia immigration reform to ‘Jim Crow’ laws Radio’s future is getting paid and paying for music Trump expresses affection for Reid as he seeks to soothe conservatives Doha round on death bed, WTO director general acknowledges Ron Paul selling his house on Facebook Conservative group launches ad campaign touting Ryan budget News bites: Kansas steps on the gas News bites: Natural gas blow-out in Pennsylvania Obama’s class warfare News bites: Four members make TIME top 100 Note to Congress: When talking about the economy, try using English Obama jabs ‘climate change deniers’ News bites: Hospitals marking up prices SC Gov. Haley uninspired by GOP field Ryan booed at Wis. town-hall event over tax rates for wealthy OPINION: Time to cut a deal on Social Security The eleventh hour may be too late Obama sees his approval ratings drop after launching 2012 reelection bid GOP hopefuls’ state credit scores: Pawlenty trails the 2012 field MORNING READ