The Hill Articles: August 8, 2011

House Dem supports lawsuit against Medicare agency over doctors’ pay Comcast announces Internet plan for low-income families Sen. Manchin makes pitch for seat on ‘supercommittee’ Unions, liberals push Reid to appoint party loyalists to ‘supercommittee’ Senate Banking looks into downgrade Nadler asks Clinton to investigate Palestinian Authority’s use of foreign aid S&P: Banks not immediately affected by US downgrade DAY’S END ROUNDUP States raise concerns with new insurance program in healthcare law Gore: Climate skeptics peddle ‘bulls–t’ Cantor urges GOP to resist tax-hike pressure after S&P downgrade Pelosi vows to protect Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security from cuts Dow plunges 635 points as US credit rating downgrade fuels market turmoil Portman endorses GOP challenger in Ohio Senate race Giffords tribute planned in Arizona Gingrich calls for bold healthcare initiative focusing on human brain Perry announcement set to sap attention from Saturday’s Iowa straw poll Study: Facebook use correlates with narcissism in teens Clinton teams up with Ben Stiller VIDEOS: Downgrade blame game continues Cary Sherman takes over as CEO of RIAA Tea Party willing to do ‘extraordinary bad things’ for the country, says liberal senator Obama administration tells states to seek waivers for ‘No Child Left Behind’ House leaders end page program Poll: Economic confidence in nosedive Study: Drone combat aircraft sales will double even as defense budgets shrink FBI introduces first phone app Talks resume, but no progress as Verizon strike enters day two Demonstration project seen as model for ACOs Report finds rail lobbying steady despite opposition in Congress Cantor says no to presidential future, cites wife DeMint: Downgrades of Fannie and Freddie mean it’s time to privatize Obama: US remains a ‘AAA country’ Johanns slams Geithner, CMS chief for late reply to healthcare questions Super Congress a gift to K Street Markets plummet as administration pushes back against S&P downgrade Barbour endorses LeMieux in Florida Green groups to court: End EPA’s ‘inexcusable delay’ on smog rule Trump talks presidency (again) Deficit hawks say downgrade shows need for grand bargain on debt RNC chief calls for Geithner’s termination Perry to visit NH and SC while presidential candidates gather in Iowa IRS issues reminder on offshore tax program Consumer group: T-Mobile’s direct billing could lead to fraud Johnson: ‘Supercommittee’ short-circuits debate and avoids accountability DNC chairwoman blames Tea Party ‘tyrants’ for US credit-rating downgrade Rep. Wilson travels to Israel Study: New Medicaid patients more expensive than current beneficiaries Dems press EPA on permits for ‘fracking’ Moody’s says it could also downgrade if Washington punts on dealing with debt The Obama downgrade Faith and capitalism Watchdog: EPA policy to protect scientists is ‘pathetically weak’ Tea Party Patriots hit back on S&P downgrade Corker volunteers for ‘supercommittee’ The power of words Supporting innovation and growth in the IT industry Cybersecurity conference begins Report finds heavy lobbying on FAA bill Romney defends silence during debt-limit fight in Congress Dems honor former Republican Sen. Hatfield Huntsman plays piano in song to Obama Issa subpoenas labor board documents on Boeing complaint Mortgage giants Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac hit with credit downgrade News bites: Recall Groups to Obama: Use ‘any legal means’ to halt fracking Romney: No controversy in mystery $1M super-PAC donation News bites: Google to unveil mobile payment system Treasury explains initial S&P downgrade error Barney Frank: S&P downgrade due to ‘disproportionate’ military spending Buchanan bill would require televised ‘supercommittee’ meetings GOP presidential candidates seek profit from S&P decision Chaffetz’s August plans indicate a challenge to Hatch Stocks tumble following downgrade America needs a ‘supercommittee’ of governors MORNING VIDEOS: S&P says ‘no second thoughts’ on downgrade; Geithner slams decision… News bites: Downgrade anxiety News bites: New York nuclear reactor shuts down after possible leak Senior Dem fears ‘supercommittee’ cuts to farm programs Rep. West: Geithner ‘should move on’ from Treasury job Two Nevada TV stations pull NRCC ad ahead of special election Former Republican Sen. Mark Hatfield dies News bites: Pawlenty changes tune on healthcare MORNING READ Dems plan weeklong blitz in Iowa to counter GOP straw poll Candidates face crucial test in Ames straw poll Freshmen brace for voters’ reactions back home during recess New economic challenges may have kept Geithner at Treasury Michele Bachmann’s Tea Party Caucus sat out the debt-ceiling debate