The Hill Articles: January 14, 2011

Obama loosens Cuba travel policy, drawing mixed reactions Obama administration files brief in healthcare challenge appeal Steele drops out of race; Priebus is the new Republican Party chairman DAY’S END ROUND-UP Arab leaders should take heed after velvet revolution Salazar vows to ‘fully consider’ Capitol Hill input on gas ‘fracking’ rule West Virginia governor holding rally to protest EPA veto of major mine project Obama remembers Holbrooke as ‘leading light’ of American diplomats AMA builds support for yet-to-be-introduced medical tort reform bill Rep. Weiner’s high school yearbook photo Hatch to administration: Don’t search for revenue in tax reform Murkowski joins Udall in leading bipartisan seating at State of the Union Kennedy: Threat level to members of Congress at an all-time high Liberal group bashes Biden’s pick for chief of staff Associations blast Medicare advisory panel’s recommendations Christie to headline annual dinner for House GOP GAO: Disproportionate share of H-1B visas going to India-based staffing firms FDA recalls ‘Nuclear Sludge’ candy bars Sanders warns Obama not to agree with GOP on Social Security benefit cuts Chairman King: Treasury should ‘explain’ itself on WikiLeaks Lugar expects Tea Party challenger Dodd expects the 112th to be a ‘Congress of oversight’ White House touts payroll tax cut benefits UPDATE: California insurer confirms rate review plans McCain lauds Obama as a ‘patriot’ A closer look at next week’s House schedule Meet ‘n tweet: Capitol Hill’s new press conference Republicans fear Democratic healthcare amendments! House Republican aims to put brakes on repeal of ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ Sofia Vergara’s boyfriend mulls Senate run McCain, Kyl propose naming courthouse after Judge Roll Obama’s N.Y. visit rescheduled for next week GOP retreat speakers outline distinct approaches to deficit Consumer confidence falls as gas prices rise Quigley will continue Congress on Your Corner events Brian Cute named CEO of .org domain Top EPA water official resigns Holder promises to protect minority areas from environmental hazards Iraqi refugees need a lifeline House vote to repeal healthcare reform set for Wednesday Virginia Tech group presses for gun-control measures White House announces Obama visit to Pakistan ‘later this year’ Former RNC chairman says Priebus is man to beat Americans worried about rising gas prices AIG finalizes plan to exit government ownership Pro-reform groups to organize against repeal vote Clinton says ‘no time to delay’ climate work with China Stearns planning ‘aggressive and rigorous’ oversight Immigration rule fight pits Chamber of Commerce against U.S. workers GAO bias evident in report on for-profit college industry Rep. Gohmert clarifies intent behind bill allowing members to carry handguns in D.C. White House opening position on debt ceiling set Debit card price controls may help businesses, but hurt consumers UPDATE: Blue Shield backtracks on rate review plans Group hopes for progress on energy issues during Chinese president’s visit Bankers predict expanding economy in 2011 Sen. Bill Nelson gets first GOP challenger DeMint e-mail indicates he’ll play major role in Texas race The FCC: Censors, regulators and snoopers GOP leader endorses bipartisan seating at State of the Union Christie to headline fundraising dinner for House GOP Treasury: We ‘don’t have the evidence’ to launch WikiLeaks embargo Biden taps ex-Clinton aide as chief of staff Tea Party activist blasts Steele for touting 2010 success Insurer’s large rate hike proposal will be reviewed First Lady Michelle Obama pens letter to nation’s parents Obama should address U.S. manufacturing in State of the Union Commerce chief has cheers, jeers for U.S.-China energy ties House Energy and Commerce Committee announces staff Gensler: Dodd-Frank a strong law, but we need budget to implement it House Dem leadership joins calls for bipartisan seating at State of the Union Poll: Most Americans don’t think violent political rhetoric caused shooting Retail sales increase reflect improving economic outlook Moody’s gives pessimistic outlook on budget deficit House Republican plans to speed up votes, limit speeches will be tested next week TechAmerica adds three to lobbying team Study: Climate change contributed to rise and fall of Roman empire Rep. Donnelly says redistricting has him thinking about 2012 plans Opinion of GOP Congress slips with centrist Republicans Local radio cuts put jobs and transparency at risk (Rep. Paul Tonko) Date set for Clinton appearance with Emanuel Congressman’s wife gets 30 days in jail for tax conviction An open letter to parents (First Lady Michelle Obama) Prohibit high-capacity magazines (Rep. Carolyn McCarthy) Abortion-rights group sees tough political terrain News Bites: Toyota moves away from rare earths for hybrids Palin to deliver address at gun convention JFK 50 years later: Great goals for a great nation GOP candidates move quickly to position themselves for Texas Senate Geithner to meet with corporate finance chiefs on tax reform State pensions creating employee fiasco With Steele’s job on the line, Republicans vote for party chief MORNING READ House Republicans begin annual retreat under tight security Liberal groups worry president will cut deal on ‘crown jewel’ Social Security OVERNIGHT TECH: Google briefs Capitol Hill on search OVERNIGHT ENERGY: EPA mining decision roils Capitol Hill OVERNIGHT MONEY: Corporate CFOs cometh