The Hill Articles: December 8, 2011

Bachmann opts out of Trump debate OVERNIGHT TECH: Grassley stands in the way of FCC nominees OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Republicans put together ‘doc fix’ offer Durbin threatens Senate’s Christmas break Rohrabacher: Global warming a global government power grab Facebook officials refuse to attend congressional briefing on privacy Lawmakers question Facebook on privacy OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Dems pounce on EPA ‘fracking’ report OVERNIGHT MONEY: Waitin’ on a payroll-tax-cut bill Allen West apologizes to America for failure of Congress on debt Contrite Corzine says he’s sorry about missing money Sens. Brown, Kirk bet on Army-Navy game Army to cut 8,700 civilian workers Issa brings social media component to Fast and Furious probe Veto threat makes Boehner’s job easier DAY’S END ROUNDUP Greyhound takes issue with Alec Baldwin Three congressional staffers canned after tweets reveal in-office partying Santorum to get big endorsement in Iowa Bachmann undecided on Trump debate, says ‘questions’ need to be answered Reid: House GOP payroll-tax bill a ‘partisan joke’ ‘Say it ain’t so Albert!’: Missouri lawmakers on Pujols trade Republican joins air war in Oregon special House race Perry ad says Gingrich, Romney for ‘mandated healthcare’ Spokesman says Panetta satisfied with USAF disclosure of Dover info EPA pollution finding shakes up ‘fracking’ debate Beauty expert dubs Michelle Obama the ‘commander-in-chic’ Lawmakers form transportation security caucus Cantor signals go-slow approach on lawmaker stock-trading bill Perry ad hits Romney, Gingrich on healthcare US files WTO case against China over chicken tariffs Perry hits Romney, Gingrich on healthcare in new ad Democrats slam GOP anti-net-neutrality provision When will Congress wake up? Issa accuses Obama administration of hiding problem with electric car batteries Ambassador: Turkey ‘cannot tolerate’ Iran getting nukes Cantor: Keystone proposal is bipartisan and backed by unions Republican says Fast and Furious was hatched to build support for gun control Dems’ payroll-tax-cut extension goes down again in Senate MPAA: Issa-Wyden bill ‘goes easy on Internet piracy’ House Dem: This session of Congress ‘felt like a trip into Alice’s Wonderland’ Dems slam GOP on opposing Cordray nomination Airline offers ‘slammer sale’ in honor of Blagojevich sentencing Farm dust bill approved in House Lawmakers respond to Virginia Tech shooting Gingrich vows to ‘stay positive’ as Romney ratchets up attacks Obama: More jobs from payroll-tax package than Keystone approval Study ranks US first in overall health Official: JLTV was once on pace to cost $800,000 per vehicle Obama: ‘Ask Osama bin Laden’ if I engage in appeasement House accepts GOP amendments to farm dust bill, spikes Dem proposals Marchant’s one chatty politician Rick Perry the latest to decline Trump-moderated debate Pelosi avoids criticism of Obama, Sebelius on morning-after pill House GOP pays for Medicare ‘doc fix’ with healthcare law repeal, means-testing Republican enthusiasm for 2012 declines sharply Live-streaming now: Kremlin paranoia Conservative video proclaims ‘even Obama is a better role model’ than Gingrich GOP lawmaker: House leaders ‘petty’ to block insider trading bill Issues remain as clock ticks on omnibus Senators warn Web group to tread carefully with new domain names Obama administration releases cloud-computing security guidelines House Budget to mark up reform bill that would expand president’s budget powers Obama: Makes ‘absolutely no sense’ to block Cordray nomination Huntsman dismisses independent run Secular coalition to flood Capitol Hill with ‘godless voters’ Protesters to target Boehner’s office Senate Dems want Obama to recess-appoint consumer agency nominee Perry: Campaign is hitting ‘restart button’ Iranian television shows alleged images of downed US spy drone Pro-Romney group launches huge ad buy in Iowa Senate moves up payroll-tax-holiday votes to Thursday Rep. Walsh boycotted Obama’s jobs speech, but accepts White House holiday party invite Roemer: GOP candidate ‘furthest from me is Newt’ Obama hits GOP on Cordray nomination, payroll tax Second Lugar challenger all but declares in Indiana Obama: ‘I do’ support decision to limit morning-after pill Dems accuse GOP of favoring mining operators with farm dust bill Obama agrees with Sebelius on decision to limit morning-after pill What happened to the “up-tick” rule? Berwick: Attacks on healthcare law ‘beyond cruelty’ GOP lawmaker: AG Holder could be impeached over gun-tracking program Holder: Documents about Kagan’s removal from healthcare discussions might not ‘exist anyplace’ Dan Quayle: Romney would be ‘much better leader’ than Gingrich Rep. Issa, Sen. Wyden announce competing bill to Judiciary’s Stop Online Piracy Act Commuters at risk of tax discrimination and increase Labor union approves deal with Boeing House GOP leaders sweeten pot for rank and file on payroll-tax cut Senate Commerce Committee approves FCC nominees House votes to ban synthetic drugs Senate GOP blocks Obama’s nominee to lead consumer bureau Senate candidate in Connecticut hits back at DSCC snub House advances farm dust bill Energy Department plans new grid reliability effort as EPA rules loom Congressman cites ‘Debbie Does Dallas’ on House floor HHS rolls out $14M for school health clinics FCC plays fast and loose with the law…again Obama and Biden to attend Army-Navy game on Saturday DeMint displeased with GOP leadership efforts to recruit Heineman Marines will need $3 billion more to replace, spruce up war-worn equipment Big business tax holidays are bad for small business, bad for America Crossroads attacks vulnerable Dems with $1 million in new ads Crossroads hits vulnerable Dems with $1 million in new ads Democrats push extension of expiring green energy grants Poll: Gingrich crushing Romney in key swing states Team Romney ramps up Gingrich attacks Vulnerable GOP freshman added as Defense conferee House Dem: Congress should donate its frequent-flyer miles White House: We did not ‘cherry-pick’ Solyndra documents Rick Perry and Mike Huckabee should join in the Trump debate Corzine to tell House panel he doesn’t ‘know where the money is’ The invisible man — Timothy F. Geithner, US Treasury secretary DOJ investigating e-book industry US military infiltrated by ‘potential terrorists,’ says Rep. Pete King Trump: ‘Very disappointed’ Mitt Romney declined debate News bites: Press release RNC ad blasts Fast and Furious ‘cover-up’ First-time unemployment benefits hit nine-month low News bites: AT&T vows to fight on Thursday: Cordray nomination in the Senate Hawaii Democrat Case fires back at DSCC Gingrich earns support of Tea Party favorite Rep. Westmoreland Abramoff says Gingrich was lobbying RNC chairman advises candidates against attending Trump debate Report: Air Force dumped remains of 274 troops News bites: The fine line Warren opens up lead on incumbent Brown News bites: Shared Medicare claims, failed follow-up care, and more News bites: Obama’s green car push questioned, China’s climate stance vexes, and more My last year in Congress Democrats push back on Republican claims of growing Jewish support Ally to become thorn in McConnell’s side GOP leaders deny collusive aid to Romney GOP presidential candidate Roemer: No way would I support Newt Gingrich MORNING READ Marines to cut troops, not weapons, to meet 2013 budget cuts Get Lost: Lost Society is both a steakhouse and a meet market for U Street Four wine-centric holiday gift ideas Obama opts for the third way Kaine, Allen get off to testy start in first debate for Virginia Senate seat Inside the Office of Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.): Kemi Jemilohun Rep. Walsh boycotted Obama’s jobs speech, accepts White House holiday party invite Congressman cites ‘Debbie Does Dallas’ on House floor Beauty expert dubs first lady Michelle Obama the ‘commander in chic’ Marchant’s one chatty politician OVERNIGHT TECH: Online piracy battle keeps escalating Facial hair watch: Rep. Paul Ryan sporting goatee in new Web video GOP lawmakers question release of FCC report on AT&T, T-Mobile merger OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Perry talks healthcare; Sebelius blocks Plan B Bipartisan group opposes healthcare cuts to pay for must-pass bills