The Hill Articles: December 21, 2011

Obama shows he’s confident he’s beating GOP in payroll tax fight Santorum says ‘that’s fine’ if conservatives choose another candidate Paul abandons interview concerning controversial newsletters Energy and Commerce Committee urges delay of domain-name expansion DAY’S END ROUNDUP Senate GOP raise more November cash than Dems Senators ask labor secretary to withdraw ‘misguided’ child farming regulations LaHood steers clear of hands-free cell phone use while driving debate DOD adviser: US risks Iran becoming ‘de facto’ winner in Iraq House Republicans try to fend off critics amid payroll tax fight Payroll taxes: Spin and truth North Carolina Dems propose disaster aid for farmers Boehner co-opts Dems’ payroll tax cut hashtag Gov. McDonnell won’t endorse Gingrich at Thursday event Obama puts personal stamp on EPA rules as Republicans pounce Rove: Republicans should fold in payroll tax cut standoff Pentagon confident supply routes in Pakistan will soon be reopened Top Iowa conservative denies asking Bachmann to drop out Gingrich challenges Romney to one-on-one debate over attack ads Gingrich will qualify for Va. ballot Facebook commits to privacy changes following Irish audit ‘High-stakes poker’ — with OUR money GOP lawmaker: Obama good at running for president, not good at being president Coburn: Only someone who ‘really wanted to hurt’ the country wouldn’t build Keystone pipeline Pentagon: US lacks knowledge to gauge Iran’s nuke program When is a lobbyist not a lobbyist USDA says Vilsack comments don’t signal shift on antibiotics Bank of America settles Countrywide bias case for $335 million Tulsa Chamber apologizes to Inhofe over misinterpretation of bestiality comments Lawmakers ask for data on FCC backlog President does some last-minute holiday shopping at Best Buy, PetSmart Treasury Building: Both old and green Pentagon reports ‘peaceful transition’ in North Korea GAO: Navy, Marines have $22 billion in accounting errors Obama praises EPA mercury rule, calls for steps to ensure grid reliability Sales of existing homes increase, years of data revised Gingrich: Romney’s ‘baloney’ attacks an ’embarrassment to the American system’ New Romney ad features wife, touts ‘character’ NTSB chief laments omission of cargo planes in FAA pilot fatigue rules Obama campaign uses fight over payroll-tax cut to hit Romney President does some last-minute holiday shopping at Best Buy, PetSmart Romney features wife, touts ‘character’ in new ad White House uses social media to up pressure on payroll tax cut Obama pops out to do some shopping Rep. Mica on FAA’s new pilot fatigue rules: Government can’t ‘tuck them in’ Americans for Prosperity calls Ga. Rep. Johnson an ’embarrassment to Georgians’ House Republican leaders press for Senate action, brush off their critics Dem leaders rebuff stand-alone fix to avert pay cut to doctors Rep. Price: House Republicans conducting ‘normal’ business over payroll tax EPA unveils rules limiting mercury, other power plant toxics Dem PAC hits Gingrich with website prank Anita Perry touts Rick’s ‘American story’ in new TV ad Obama calls Boehner, urges him to allow vote on Senate payroll tax cut bill New legislation aims to increase competition and lower consumer prices Romney doubles down on argument that state health mandate is ‘conservative’ PBMs NOT the friend of consumers Waters pushes ethics rules for the FCC House lawmaker: Give Washington DC back to Maryland Romney doubles down on argument that state health mandate is ‘conservative’ Paul ad touts faith, anti-abortion stance Sen. Johanns endorses Romney Another Gingrich event disrupted by Occupy protests Study: Gulf drilling permits speed up, still below pre-spill rate Former GOP aide hits Panetta on Iraq comment Interior removes wolves in Midwestern states from endangered species list GOP payroll tax disaster Reid urges Boehner to call back the House for vote on Senate bill Sen. McCain praises WSJ editorial blasting GOP on payroll tax Website want voters to pick top Washington scandal of 2011 Cantor: Failure of tax cut extension would ‘be on Harry Reid’s lap’ FAA unveils new pilot fatigue rules Huntsman: Clinton ‘did his due diligence’ on my record LightSquared: GPS not entitled to special protection Chinese hackers attack US Chamber Sen. Sanders confident a payroll deal is still in the works NRCC hits House Dems on payroll tax NLRB finalizes controversial union election rule General says some US forces might remain in Afghanistan past 2014 Romney: Obama’s ‘attack mode’ can’t resolve payroll tax fight Hoyer blasts GOP for ‘walking away’ as Dems try to raise Senate payroll bill Second Republican enters race to replace Rep. Davis Deadlocked Congress warned Medicare claims can’t be delayed for long Ron Paul’s brilliant Iowa campaign House Republicans stiff attempt from Democrats to call up Senate payroll bill News bites: T-Mobile in a perilous position WSJ: GOP botched tax debate Cantor calls on Obama to step in on payroll tax negotiations Eight US soldiers charged in shooting death Poll: Ron Paul has strongest support base in Iowa Mortgage applications drop even as loan rates hit yearly lows Egyptian women stand for freedom, Egyptian police cruelty must be condemned by the civilized world Ariz. redistricting panel OKs contentious new map News bites: Bankruptcy News bites: Court backs EU airline emissions plan The bigger picture Top Iowa conservative says he didn’t tell Bachmann ‘to drop out’ Frodo lives: ‘The return of the king’ Wednesday: Pro forma unless otherwise announced Romney to Gingrich: Wait until Obama team ‘turns up the heat’ A peace dividend we should all want The establishment vs. Ron Paul GOP senator says Republicans need to resolve payroll tax fight and ‘move on’ Poll: Romney, Allen narrowly lead in Virginia; Gingrich trails News bites: Bye-bye, ‘doc fix’; flexible health reform; and more White House to GOP: ‘Braveheart’ doesn’t end well for you McCain calls Biden’s comments on Taliban an ‘insult’ to the military Altering how the Internet works but not understanding it News bites: Even the Dutch Bachmann: Reid ‘threw a grenade over to the House’ in payroll tax fight Nothing to hide, everything to fear Hatch’s Employee Rights Act gives workers much-needed reform Free at last – or at least soon Santorum showing signs of life in Iowa Newt Gingrich’s identity crisis: Keep campaign positive or go negative South Carolina election officials take steps to protect primary from hackers Obama’s Hawaii Christmas dilemma Ohio Democrat: DCCC let us down in state redistricting fight MORNING READ RNC edges out DNC in November fundraising