The Hill Articles: December 23, 2011

Republican lawmakers frustrated with Boehner-Cantor soap opera DAY’S END ROUNDUP Justice Department blocks South Carolina’s voter identification law Sessions: Despite GOP effort, 2012 spending will increase Obama says he’s not bound by Guantanamo, gun-control provisions Obama says he won’t be bound by gun-control ban in omnibus Sen. Murkowski bakes ‘Alaska sized’ gingerbread man Regulators cave in to GOP demands on Volcker Rule Meryl Streep admits stealing napkin from the White House Rep. Flake defends House holiday greeting ban Obama signs payroll tax bill that requires speedy decision on Keystone pipeline Republican lawmaker says he expects ‘race card’ from Obama in 2012 Obama signs payroll tax cut extension Obama signs $1 trillion spending bill TSA finds Batman-shaped blade, flare guns Ron Paul denies any knowledge of controversial ‘race war’ advertisement White House names Tighe as new stimulus watchdog Trump registers as an Independent, keeping door open to White House run Obama signs payroll tax cut extension Alan Grayson raises half-million for House comeback in final quarter Grassley, 16 others push for ‘exhaustive’ investigation into MF Global failure Rep. Lofgren: mom was proudest of my pecan pie recipe New home sales rise in November as market’s struggles continue NLRB postpones rule requiring union posters in the workplace Time has come for America to reconsider its position on the ICC Poll: Paul, Romney and Gingrich knotted at the top in Iowa Obama says own worst trait is ‘laziness’ Spencer Bachus could face primary challenge Reid: ‘Make sure’ conferees understand millionaire tax on the table New York Times sues Justice Department over targeted-killing memo Advocate for overhauling SGR named to bicameral conference committee McCain: Withdrawal puts Iraq victory at risk FCC one member away from being out of commission Obama to say ‘Aloha,’ will leave for Hawaii on Friday afternoon BP launches new advertising campaign TSA launches hotline for special-needs passengers GOP freshman: McConnell ‘ran over us’ Bachmann releases two new Iowa videos Bachmann: Romney and Gingrich are health law’s ‘father and grandfather’ New Santorum ad focuses on family Walking off the cliff Poll: Nevada Senate race neck and neck Perry ad focuses on veterans Reid says millionaire surtax is back on the table in payroll talks Ron Paul should apologize for racist newsletter comments, Rick Perry should apologize for misusing Christianity in a sleazy partisan ad Iowa evangelical leader denies asking for cash in exchange for Santorum endorsement Commerce reports only small increase in consumer spending Michelle Obama wants to come back as Bo in another life Obama, Romney advisers spar over Twitter Congress averts deep cuts to Medicare Congress approves payroll tax bill Dem rep: Payroll deal a ‘defeat’ for Boehner and Tea Party extremists Perry ad focuses on veterans Senate passes two-month payroll tax bill by unanimous consent Santorum’s new ad focuses on family News bites: Nigeria faces fallout from Shell oil spill News bites: Right to repair GOP map triumphs in NJ redistricting Gingrich denounces attack ads in ‘tele-town hall’ with Iowa voters Friday: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… News bites: Runaway Medicare costs, surging MA stocks and more Rep. West: Payroll-tax extension deal ‘a sad day for America’ Ad for Paul newsletter warns of ‘race war’ News bites: Markets hopeful ahead of Christmas Biden blasts Romney in Iowa newspaper Winners and losers in payroll showdown Amid holiday greeting uproar, House eyes new mail rules MORNING READ GOP freshman: House caved to Dems again, gave gift of uncertainty AT&T-Qualcomm deal approved Republicans tout technical change in payroll tax deal House Republicans cave on payroll tax