The Hill Articles: July 13, 2011

Obama warns Cantor: ‘Don’t call my bluff’ OVERNIGHT MONEY: Testy OVERNIGHT HEALTH: GOP hammers Medicare board with Dem’s help Bernanke: US bond default would send ‘shock waves’ through financial markets When lawmakers indulge: McCain digs In-N-Out; Levin craves cookies George W. Bush debuts sloppy signature on baseball cards OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Exxon pipeline official faces Congress Actress Geena Davis:‘If elected, I will serve!’ Hoyer: ‘I will be whipping against’ balanced-budget amendment House votes to limit EPA’s say over state water standards Place your bets on NFL lockout vs. debt deal OVERNIGHT TECH: House GOP releases draft of spectrum bill ahead of Friday’s hearing Pelosi and Bush, a relationship that’s getting friendlier ‘Let them eat peas’ House accepts GOP amendment to water bill, rejects most from Dems Weyants World: July 14, 2011 GOP Rep: Boehner should ‘do his homework’ An amendment to balance our budget more crucial than ever Rigid adherence to ideology will harm economy Seven easy steps the US can take to create jobs and grow the economy Time to invest in our water infrastructure Schumer: Cantor is the only leader with no plan in talks about debt-ceiling Small businesses are the solution to US unemployment GOP aims for focused IPAB attack GLAAD withdraws support of AT&T deal TSA: Passenger caught smuggling knives through airport security Groups unite against balanced-budget amendment from GOP Mitch McConnell: Make Obama debt-ceiling dictator Debt limit drama could be ‘devastating’ for economy, group warns DAY’S END ROUNDUP Obama is not RFK Unable to govern Moody’s puts nation’s credit rating on watch FBI must investigate alleged wiretapping of 9/11 victims GOP: Tens of thousands of airport security breaches are unacceptable Pentagon tells Congress of new $771 million F-35 cost spike Number of ex-lobbyists working for Congress doubles Some Dems supporting GOP’s clean-water bill Axelrod asks Romney on debt fight: ‘Why so quiet?’ The proposed Keystone XL pipeline will be built responsibly House Dems offer amendment to stop use of Styrofoam in food service Ex-Rep. Kirkpatrick outraises Rep. Gosar for rematch GAO: Regulators need more info before curbing proprietary trading Ladies in lettuce bikinis hit Capitol Hill Rep. Frank: GOP divided by ‘unreal view of the world’ Treasury official: Weakening Dodd-Frank hurts the economy Sen. Lee says McConnell’s contingency plan is inadequate Nuclear industry calls for stakeholder review of task force’s report Dem senator: Exempt Social Security from debt limit, if necessary Geena Davis: ‘If elected, I will serve!’ News Corp. scandal crosses the Atlantic McCain praises McConnell backup debt plan Senator McConnell providing smart leadership on the debt ceiling White House threatens veto for bill defunding Wall Street reform Prosecutors defend House steroid hearings that ensnared Clemens Interior drilling chief weighs broad new rules, mum on post-October future The path to 218: Finding consensus on the debt limit Bachmann: Obama has misled the public about possible debt default White House launches app competition to prevent sexual assault Cantor: House Republicans will take ‘big deal’ — without tax increases Federal budget deficit nearing $1 trillion AP: Coburn might return to Gang of Six Lampson eyeing a run for Congress from Ron Paul’s seat President, Congress must work together for America Congressional conservatives skeptical of McConnell’s fallback debt-limit plan House approves rule for bill limiting EPA’s authority over states Millions would lose eligibility for Medicaid under Republican bill The debt ceiling debate: Stupid, but dangerous Pawlenty reluctantly declines signing Iowa social conservative pledge India and Capitol Hill: From confusion to collaboration Pelosi: McConnell debt proposal has ‘merit’ Congressional Research Service: Privatizing Amtrak violates constitution’s Takings Clause CEO departures hit highest levels in a year, still below 2010 The way forward: Tax reform, not tax increases Republican probes smartphone security in wake of British hacking scandal Top House tax writer: Reform needs to examine debt and equity Vice President Biden tweets for the first time DNC chairwoman: Republicans acting almost like ‘spoiled children’ on debt ceiling White House on debt deal: ‘Bigger is better’ Schumer: McConnell plan is ‘political’ Washington must listen to Americans, face debt crisis The mystery of Obama’s approval rating Bachmann a ‘no’ on McConnell plan Guns-rights issue inflames House Appropriations meeting Care coordination effort tops 2,000 doctors DeMint rejects McConnell’s debt plan Senators call for tough new measures to fight ‘cramming’ DOT makes $47 million available for Atlanta streetcar Dems slam GOP over light bulb distraction House Dems want to talk more debt limit than debt and equity Senate votes to take up Veterans Affairs spending bill When companionship doesn’t pay Stocks jump after Bernanke opens door to more stimulus When lawmakers indulge: McCain digs In-N-Out, Levin craves cookies Debt crisis, what is the president’s plan? Senate conservatives withhold support from McConnell debt plan Democrats blast GOP members of financial crisis panel House cancels million-dollar research subscriptions Could libel laws be the cause of the phone-hacking scandal? McConnell: GOP won’t take ‘co-ownership of a bad economy’ Energy Department offers $730 million loan to Michigan auto company It’s time to have a real debate on the debt limit Phone cramming is unacceptably widespread Schumer tweets agreement with GOP governor We need to protect consumers from phone cramming Illinois Rep. Dold raises big money for tough reelection Senate stops Reid’s millionaire tax measure Place your bets on NFL lockout vs. debt deal Pull the plug on transmission subsidies Bachmann seeks to ensure military pay if debt limit is reached Officials unveil infection prevention guide for outpatient care Top Dem suggests Boehner and Cantor have weak relationship Mortgage applications dropped last week, refinancing down again Rep. Allen West’s Dem challenger has good fundraising quarter Van Hollen to Ryan: How about a hearing on tax rates? Democrats pressure US agencies to probe allegations against News Corp. Rep. Gohmert says Obama using Social Security ‘scare tactic’ in debt-ceiling debate Dem leaders praise McConnell’s debt plan Senate Dems target offshore tax evasion as part of debt-limit deal Mica: ‘We will get the information’ from TSA The solution for women is not more of the same Wisconsin farce Top House Dem: Hearing focus should be debt limit Symbolic independence Hoyer: McConnell debt plan is a punt RNC goes after Obama with TV spot in four swing states House Republicans plan White House subpoena over solar loan guarantee News bites: Close watch News bites: Shooting stars News bites: Sen. Rockefeller calls for investigation into News Corp. Ignoring chemical safety will have toxic consequences Wednesday: appetite for taxes tested again in the Senate Former Sen. Allen raises $1.1M in second quarter News bites: AARP assails Medicare benefit cuts Poll: Bachmann, Perry leapfrog much of GOP presidential field Cornyn coaches GOP recruits on how to rebut Dem debt-limit criticism News bites: Energy agency strikes back at critics of oil release, Koch vs. Pickens war heats up, and more Obama raises $86M haul in second quarter Gingrich urges House GOP to call Obama’s ‘bluff’ on Social Security checks Romney won’t sign Iowa conservative’s social issues pledge GOP candidate raises impressive amount for Ohio Senate race Dems abandon effort to widen intel inner circle Republicans split on trade tactics Obama is winning on debt debate, but there’s no room for moral victories Presidential campaign’s end could lead to another resurrection for Gingrich MORNING READ Democrat Hahn wins special House election US task force calls for sweeping new rules at nuclear power plants Polls closed in Calif. special House election Shared Sacrifice & Shared Blame McConnell fallback plan would leave debt-ceiling hikes up to Obama Obama: Government checks could stop on Aug. 2 without deal GOP leaders split on timeline to push for balanced-budget amendment Democratic leaders: We don’t know who’s running GOP debt talks