The Hill Articles: December 22, 2011

House GOP tax cut negotiator says debate was like ‘reenacting the Alamo’ Senate plans to pass two-month tax package Friday morning Reid praises ‘voices of reason’ in House on deal; McConnell touts pipeline push Obama praises Congress for ending ‘partisan stalemate’ Santorum, Bachmann, Huntsman miss Va. ballot deadline Payroll deal to launch savage PR, lobbying battle on pipeline Haley aide: Furor over healthcare grant a ‘joke’ FCC mulls changes to media ownership rules Boehner agrees to two-month ‘doc fix’ Boehner: Opposing payroll-tax-cut extension ‘may not have been politically the smartest thing in the world’ Top general: Hazing will not be tolerated Dems taunt Romney on personal income taxes House, Senate reach deal to approve payroll tax extension by Christmas Gingrich campaign to launch ‘Pets With Newt’ site Mr. President: Why the change? Top 10 articles from a ‘remarkable and historic’ 2011 DAY’S END ROUNDUP Democratic senators take anti-tobacco crusade to college football DOT limits hours truck drivers can work per week, but not per day Chu calls reactor design approval ‘important milestone’ Sen. Harkin seeks formal probe into SC Gov. Haley’s use of healthcare grant FCC approves first device to use television ‘white spaces’ Poll: House Republican popularity declines during payroll tax debate Senate Dems expect House GOP will soon cave and pass tax bill Christian school sues administration over healthcare contraception mandate Members float bipartisan bill offering a permanent AMT fix Pair of House Republicans say GOP should pass two-month payroll extension As Asia gets more focus, US arms pacts in Middle East remain strong Critics launch petition against Greyhound ‘gift ticket’ fee Romney turns down Gingrich debate challenge out of ‘respect’ for rest of field Romney says he won’t release tax returns House lawmakers to regulators: Slow down on ‘Volcker Rule’ Border chief resigns Gingrich: Obama’s energy policies create Christmas costs AARP defends contracts with insurance company Video surfaces of Gingrich in 1990s supermarket GOP rep. fights back against House holiday greeting ban Former President George H.W. Bush backs Romney Time for the power sector to get to work Chairman Rogers: Economic spying at ‘an intolerable level’ Obama: Payroll debate shows why voters ‘so frustrated’ with Washington Obama to House GOP: ‘Enough is enough’ Ethics panel extends look into allegations against Rep. Buchanan Nuke regulators bless reactor design amid Capitol Hill cheers, jeers Republicans renew attack on AARP Ron Paul woos religious conservatives as he pushes hard for win in Iowa Poll: Obama’s approval rating among Hispanics on the decline Defense Department explains timing of release of airstrike probe Stock exchange merger approved with conditions Sen. Scott Brown calls for criminal probe of Fannie, Freddie Texas Dems drag Perry into fight over health waiver request Gov. Christie: ‘Presumptuous’ to close door on VP spot Republican senator: Obama’s regulations cost US economy $230 billion in 2011 Dems say differences with Republicans on payroll bill are steep Regulatory bid-rigging will cost medical patients Huntsman jams with ‘Late Show’ band A “New START” for arms control House GOP payroll tax cut negotiator floats three-month extension AAA expects 800,000 cars to break down over holidays TV station blackouts, less local TV news call into question FCC rules Huntsman jams with ‘Late Show’ band Economists split on impact of allowing tax cut to expire in January Nevada judge bars ‘personhood’ initiative from 2012 ballot Probe of November airstrike reveals deep mistrust between US, Pakistan forces McConnell breaks with Boehner, urges House to pass payroll bill House GOP refuses to cave on payroll tax Citizens United running Iowa ads featuring Gingrich White House to respond to petition urging veto of online piracy bill Ex-congressman Weiner and wife have baby boy Some House Republicans hint at support for two-month payroll bill WSJ, NY Times square off over mercury rule Liberal Dems urge White House to allow foreign aid funding for abortion Ron Paul releases new Christmas ad featuring son, Sen. Rand Paul Toomey unveils bill to roll back federal sign regulation Gingrich: Goal to place ‘in top three or four’ in Iowa News bites: Microsoft to quit Consumer Electronics Show Romney says Obama’s illegal-immigrant uncle should be deported Haley Barbour to return to lobby firm Conferee says voters backing GOP stance in payroll tax fight John Boehner imitates Vladimir Putin Huntsman nabs Concord Monitor endorsement Defense Department vows ‘strong’ presence in Middle East for years to come ‘Merry Xmas’ and not ‘Happy Holidays’ New NJ map could pit Democrat, Republican against each other News bites: Strike Anthony Weiner becomes a father Hoyer’s attempt to call up Senate payroll bill leaves no trace in Congressional Record Jobless claims hit lowest level in three and a half years Free Kansas News bites: Brazil goes after Chevron, taming Japan’s reactors, and more Dem leader Durbin: No chance Senate can name payroll negotiators by deadline McCain: Obama needs to show ‘more leadership than going shopping’ News bites: Temporary News bites: Safer food, health law polls and more Pentagon: US acted in self-defense in strike that killed Pakistanis The force for opportunity Democratic Reps. Kucinich and Kaptur brace for House survival showdown Obama administration defends license to lawyer representing Sudan Senate GOP worries tax standoff could cost them chance at upper chamber Payroll tax debate a juggling act for GOP presidential contenders MORNING READ