The Hill Articles: February 18, 2011

Dem voted to defund net neutrality out of concern for ‘cost hikes’ Credit union group asks lawmakers to preserve program funding What next in the House? More amendments… Hoyer warns of shutdown if GOP won’t budge on cuts Taxpayer advocate compliments GAO waste report Maryland another state after rejected high-speed rail funds Bingaman’s former state director mulling Senate bid Warner introduces incentive auction bill Rep. Harman delivers floor farewell House panel to probe White House health reform office Issa predicts government shutdown will be averted DAY’S END ROUNDUP Louisiana delegation presses White House on drilling permits Pelosi says she’s ‘proud’ of Wisconsin Democrats who fled GOP rep voted to protect net neutrality out of competition concerns Under high congressional pressure, U.S. vetoes controversial Israel resolution Dem opposes U.N. cuts, says funds can be used to get apology for Lara Logan assault Freshman Republican says leadership should address entitlements ‘head-on’ CBO: Repealing healthcare reform would increase deficit by $210 billion over 10 years House defeats amendment to add deeper cuts to budget Protesters in Yemen must navigate long-standing upheaval Bingaman lauded by Udall, top GOP colleagues Senate campaign committees still staring down debt Key senators signal willingness to take action on EPA boiler rules in Congress FCC defends diversity official amid GOP attack Romney slams Obama on Israel America to Wisconsin: President, Democrats declare war against fiscal responsibility Democratic senators introduce unemployment insurance bill House agrees to pursue en bloc amendments to FY 2011 spending bill Wisconsin is free: Scott Walker for president Administration has ‘great trepidation’ about the U.N. governing the Internet Obama plugs ‘win the future’ message in Oregon House cuts off funding for healthcare reform, Planned Parenthood Weiner’s followers still waiting for promised Bar Mitzvah photo House rejects extra $22 billion in cuts that divided Republicans Boehner accuses Obama backers of ‘colluding’ with unions Obama: ‘Don’t bump my atoms’ House votes down ban on military sponsorship of NASCAR teams Lawmaker seeks to strip funds for government’s case against Arizona immigration law Senate Democratic majority becoming more fragile Consumer Protection Bureau putting down roots House votes to block funding for EPA’s greenhouse gas regulations Minority Whip says national public broadcasting could survive GOP defunding threats House clips EPA’s wings on drilling permits Wisconsin budget drama could have been avoided, GOP Rep says U.S. cannot take credit for change in Egypt Bipartisan call to end ‘lunacy’ of Brazil cotton payments White House revises Bush conscience protections Senate to vote on patent reform after recess Doughnut hole creator defends program design Bingaman retirement to leave energy void Sen. Bingaman to retire Rep. Bachmann: Healthcare bill will create largest bureaucracy in ‘history’ RSC-proposed cuts appear headed for defeat as Republicans oppose Weiner’s followers still waiting for promised photo Commandant vows to be ‘player-coach’ on F-35, amphibious vehicle programs Poll finds mixed opinion about organized labor Obama rallies labor as budget standoff grips Wisconsin Capitol FCC wants answers from Verizon on ‘blocking 911 calls’ Several healthcare votes planned for Friday afternoon Rep. Moran: Members should share pain of federal shutdown FDA chief urges generic drugmakers’ help in avoiding bottlenecks Patent reform up in the Senate Bachmann White House bid will depend on ‘inner assurance’ Consumers deserve affordable access to wireless networks House greenhouse gas vote on tap Embracing the responsibility of exceptionalism Janet Napolitano passes on Senate run Facebook adds GOP strategist EPA gearing up for regulatory review Va. Republicans say Kaine would be ‘formidable’ candidate GOP senators respond to debt criticism Reaching educational goals means evaluating every cut Softball, video games bring Dem, Republican together Vermont Republican to decide on Sanders challenge next month Weiner makes mock defense of Republican healthcare defunding effort Without 2011 spending bill, deployed Marines would not get missiles, rockets Business groups urge fast action on Korean trade deal after EU vote Social Security Administration warns of furloughs under proposed GOP budget cuts Bingaman floats bill to make appliances more energy efficient Drilling, ethanol fights loom on House CR Kucinich must pay $50,000 for improperly using campaign expenses ‘Superman’ actor loves Iowa caucuses White House plans to update @PressSec Twitter ‘soon’ Lewis voted with the Dems on net neutrality — by accident Wisconsin to Washington: GOP declares war against workers Democrat suggests ‘ObamaCare’ rhetoric should be banned from House floor House Financial Services sets busy March agenda GOP senator: Winning Ohio isn’t a sure thing House GOP rejects Dem point of order on healthcare defunding amendment Lobbyists waiting for GOP contenders to declare The President’s bloated budget White House reaches out to Intel critic who blasted job policies The purpose of mass education Lautenberg, Leahy, Sanders: Save the bats! House returns Friday with narrower focus News Bites: Montana lawmaker declares global warming ‘beneficial’ to state, Haley Barbour hits EPA, and more Pawlenty to court Tea Party at Arizona summit Wis. governor: GOP won’t be ‘bullied’ by union bill protesters Durbin: Wisconsin workers shouldn’t be ‘badgered’ by governor Kaine to decide on Senate run by early next month Dem leader: GOP bears burden on entitlements K St. holding cards on 2012 primary MORNING READ Frank blasts ‘orgy of self-congratulation’ on CR deal: ‘I either explain or object’ Obama meets with tech leaders House agrees on deal to limit debate Planned Parenthood debate stretches into late night Dem reveals abortion in Planned Parenthood funding debate Pallone says GOP position on Planned Parenthood is ‘extortion’ Jordan amendment to cut $20 billion expected Friday Michele Bachmann: Now is the time to defund Planned Parenthood Cantor, Hoyer continue to press Obama to veto Israeli settlement resolution Upton, Walden applaud ‘message’ in anti-net neutrality amendment House debating Pence amendment to ban federal Planned Parenthood funding Senate clears aviation bill on 87-8 vote after weeks of wrangling OVERNIGHT ENERGY: House GOP’s EPA rider faces uphill Senate battle 14 lawmakers buck party in net-neutrality vote Nervous liberals say: Get your grubby hands off Social Security OVERNIGHT TECH: Senators try to kill the ‘kill switch’ Sen. Conrad worries Democrats by calling to revisit the healthcare debate Dems like openness in GOP House Boehner says spending must be cut, but Senate Democrats won’t budge McCain calls for increasing security after border agent is killed in Mexico Democrats try to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan through spending amendment Senators press Obama administration for more information on unspent federal funds Dem: GOP plan threatens NFL season Lawmakers’ advice to freshman class: Don’t act like jerks, don’t burn bridges Appointments OVERNIGHT MONEY: Change of plans Inside the office of Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas): David A. Polin Jr. Sophisticated yet neighborly House approves six amendments to spending bill, continues work on funding limitations Amendment to defund net neutrality passes GOP votes to dethrone Obama’s policy ‘czars’