The Hill Articles: February 16, 2011

Softball, video games bring Dem, Republican together Even Congress needs a tune-up Gov. Christie chides Republicans over entitlement reform Issa demands details on Countrywide’s VIP loan program GOP lacks ’12 front runner Floundering on the economy What’s the ‘matter’ with Tijuana? OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Reform implementation continues Reid: Finishing aviation bill still possible by Thursday Republican calls IRS agents a ‘goon squad’ Defense comptroller: Military wants ‘80 to 100’ new bombers Obama proposes full funding for land and water conservation program GOP senator threatens delay as Democrats object to his amendments Weyants World: February 17, 2011 Johanns introduces 1099 bill matching House measure Walden asks FCC about fate of broadcasters in incentive auctions Congress relitigates healthcare reform at oversight hearing Budget amendment votes: fish yes, horses no Report: Ex-Rep. Perriello open to Senate run DAY’S END ROUNDUP Oil, mining groups urge House to curtail EPA climate rules in CR New York Dems ask for high-speed rail money that Florida sent back Space Code of Conduct a good start Sen. Wyden pledges to bring ‘extra wonk’ to Twitter Carney debuts at White House Growing the economy and creating jobs Slaughter wants Florida’s high-speed rail funds Dems target two parts of Interior Dept. budget in debate Senate Republican won’t budge on Interior nominee hold Nelson looking for new way to funnel money to state’s high-speed rail Panetta: If captured, bin Laden would be held at Guantánamo Cain tweets excitement about upcoming magazine profile Arthur joins Rep. Markey to defend federally funded media No. 2 spokesman to depart White House House GOP spending cuts will devastate women, families and economy Senate Dems’ ‘win the future’ plan stuffed with energy proposals A responsibility to lead when the president has not Senate Republicans go on offensive against Obama’s budget proposal The Republican presidential field: How do you spell ‘weak’? Senators say bill targeting rogue websites will pass this year House strips funds for second jet engine Chaffetz: Sleeping in my office is good for the environment Biden traveling to Russia during European swing Labor, business find agreement on transportation issues Federal Reserve says economic recovery is gaining momentum N.J. governor tells House GOP: ‘Put up or shut up’ Groups rally support for anti-ethanol amendment Top intel official revises remark on Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Tea Party group to GOP: Don’t ‘reward collaborators’ on healthcare law Sen. Brown says he was sex-abuse victim House Dems tout record January fundraising as a sign party is back on track Hope through change House rejects $3.8 billion in cuts to 2011 spending bill Christie: ‘My wife would kill me’ if I run for presidency Retiring Va. senator wants DNC chairman to run for Senate seat Win the future by investing in the future President punts on entitlement reform Christie dings Obama, GOP for not focusing on ‘big things’ Dingell: Spectrum auctions might be a ‘shot in the brains’ for broadcasters Police and firefighters are our security Budget concerns from a business owner’s perspective Sebelius defends doc fix strategy Democrats say ahead of meeting they’ll stand by Obama spending freeze Toomey presses for promises to cut spending in exchange for raising the debt limit Senate Republicans worry regulators rushing Dodd-Frank regs Geithner: Corporate tax reform can come first Genachowski still supports D Block auction Carney takes podium, but Twitter account still belongs to Gibbs Iran reportedly sending warships through Suez Canal, rattling Israel House Dems oppose Patriot Act despite earlier vote, easy Senate passage Crisis report opens door to more debate on Dodd-Frank, housing Genachowski suggests Supreme Court could strike down anti-net neutrality decision Cantor: Spending debate could cut into planned recess Energy secretary: House GOP spending bill would have ‘significant adverse impact’ House Democrat to seek transparency of Supreme Court conflicts of interest Foreign aid cuts jeopardize U.S. national security Can you hear America now? Lugar challenger held meeting with Gingrich Senators reach accord on flights in and out of Reagan airport HHS awards federal grants for creation of health insurance exchanges Geithner pushes back: Budget a ‘comprehensive plan’ Alvin Greene loses state House bid Ex-Sen. Feingold wants cash to fight corporate interests Lawmakers urge FCC to investigate Google Democrats host fundraiser for Giffords’s reelection Republicans say Obama’s energy budget biased against oil, coal Budget panel chairman: Entitlement reform must start in Senate E & C Dems push back against GOP riders on FCC Reid says Senate could pass aviation bill Thursday State Dept. tweaks Kim Jong Il in tweet Gates urges Congress to cut funds for second F-35 engine or ‘waste’ $3 billion House Appropriator introduces defunding language 25 years later, making ‘never again’ a reality Georgia Republican brushes aside Dems’ redistricting worries Senate Energy panel announces subcommittee assignments Rep. Kildee on 2012: ‘I definitely plan to run’ Financial industry hits back on debit card fees Hoyer, Dems blast GOP budget bill, budget discipline In the Middle East, revolution; in Europe, bunga bunga Beyond Cairo: Prospects for change in the Middle East Poll: Majority disapprove of defunding health reform Obama’s proposed budget is the opposite of what the American people want Florida gov. sends back high-speed rail money Emanuel to writer of fake Twitter account: Reveal yourself Time to make the difficult decisions our country needs House Dem rips new insurance rule HHS unveils 10-year vaccine plan South Dakota, Sharia law and abortion Shut down EADS says final tanker bid is ‘just enough to win’ Republican: ‘Yes we can!’ Nixon’s regionalization idea useful today to the Tea Party Stop government from regulating the Internet Foreign aid cuts jeopardize U.S. national security Financial crisis report hits the best-seller list Good morning … more spending amendments in the House Looking for millions in the seat cushions Robbing the future Opening up the dialogue Ted Kennedy Jr. rules out 2012 Senate run Public-safety hearing includes a witness against Rockfeller’s plan — testimony preview Lugar challenger lines up backing of dozens of Indiana GOP officials Senate GOP whip: Budget fight will not shut down government The FCC goes to Capitol Hill — testimony preview Feingold forms PAC to boost liberal candidates, fight corporate influence Madoff: Banks ‘had to know’ of fraud House science chairman seeks to block funding for new ‘Climate Service’ Romney releases video of greatest hits from CPAC speech Transportation groups fear plans for infrastructure might dead-end White House betting its budget looks different outside the Beltway Barbour’s mixed messaging on social-issue ‘truce’ can’t last long Senate Dems look to offer counter-programming to GOP cuts With Republican rifts on cuts, McConnell faces test to unite colleagues Amendment marathon concludes, debate on 2011 spending bill to continue Wednesday News bites: Exxon’s oil woes, investments at risk from climate change, and more MORNING READ Selective Service likely to be spared from cutting in FY 2011 bill Facebook hires the same lobby firm as Apple House continues work on FY 2011 spending into early Wednesday morning Former Blue Dog joins lobby shop GOP centrist reaches out to Dems to back alternative spending bill Dems join GOP criticism of budget Conservatives in House push for another $20B in budget cuts GOP Senate hopeful looking at attack from right over immigration reform After bumpy ride, Reid aims for smooth landing for aviation bill Tea Party freshmen on spot over funding for second F-35 jet engine OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Chu in the hot seat House prepares for another Patriot Act vote this week Walden amendment to spending bill would block net neutrality Old guard threatens Egypt’s revolution Creative accounting Lobbying World Don’t penalize qualified, responsible homebuyers Why the president’s budget is a success Could polls predict uprisings? Jobs won’t dominate the 2012 agenda Budget hawks lose as House rejects cuts to Pentagon spending OVERNIGHT MONEY: Veto threat