The Hill Articles: July 6, 2011

Congressional aides vie to be crowned Miss DC Cloture vote slated on millionaire tax House debates Israel resolution but delays vote House approves ‘competition’ amendments to DOD spending bill When democracy gets digital Lobbying World Top antitrust official Varney will leave DOJ GOP bill weakens light bulb efficiency law From dishwasher to master chef Butcher’s Block a little slice of Paris Cool down, relax in the lap of luxury Unique boutiques and antiques Christmas in July — or anytime Walking through history Escape the grind at Misha’s casual, artsy coffeehouse A history buff’s dream Sebelius seeks youth support for healthcare law Old Town hospitality at the Hotel Monaco Alexandria President Obama defends economic record in first Twitter town hall Bill Clinton offers path on economy Study: CPI change would net $60 billion Kyl: GOP already agreed to some revenue raisers in debt talks Sen. Snowe dwarfs tea party opponent in fundraising Dicks concerned spending cuts decrease lawmakers security Cantor says he won’t sign Tea Party-backed budget pledge Rep. Dicks blasts cuts to Commerce, Justice Got mail: GOP committee tweets Carney ATF letter Kerry: Republican floor tactics are ‘cynical, craven, and dangerous’ Senate Democrats: McConnell ‘out on a limb’ for denying openness to closing tax loopholes White House blasts Energy and Water spending bill Daily roundup: States push screening tests Harry Reid, Henry Clay Rep. Mica: Two-year transportation bill is insufficient Obama plays kick the can House restores funding for military bands Weyants World: July 7, 2011 Schumer shoots down ‘revenue neutral’ deal that closes loopholes US, Mexico sign cross-border trucking deal DAY’S END ROUNDUP Pawlenty co-chairman: Bachmann will be ‘very hard to beat’ in Iowa Top Senate Republicans leave door ajar for tax tradeoffs in debt deal Twitter’s political heavyweights: The 10 most followed politicians Rep. Pete Sessions’ Hair Looks Different GOP rep. says ’14th Amendment solution’ is impeachable offense Senators could unveil ethanol compromise Thursday House agrees to health-related amendments to DOD spending bill Obama: Congress lacks ‘urgency’ on energy bill Declare war on Medicare fraud, not seniors Rove says he expects Perry to run for president House appropriators to explore role of NATO in hearings Hatch: Obama press conference was a ‘temper tantrum’ Senators to try again on trade deals Sen. Lugar, primary opponent both post solid fundraising totals Together, we must fight piracy Durbin: Conrad budget ‘doesn’t savage’ Medicaid Sudan: The choice for freedom FDIC approves rule allowing it to ‘claw back’ executive pay at failed firms Salazar rips GOP push for deep conservation cuts Hispanic state legislator backs retrans reform at the FCC Where is support for the small farmer when it’s needed? Sen. Rand Paul not a fan of Kicking the Can Senate Dems still mulling whether to move Conrad budget McConnell: ‘We look a lot like Greece already’ Obama not looking to Constitution for debt-limit workaround Issa reverses call for ATF head’s resignation Technology opens doors for women of the world Nancy Reagan celebrates birthday milestone GOP presidential candidates raise NLRB questions in town hall Bill Clinton claims GOP trying to suppress youth vote Hospitals tout economic impact Leading Senate Dem: Two-year transportation bill coming Poll: Baucus gets beat in 2014 Dem primary Poll: Americans want debt reduction over economic stimulus Dem senator: Debt deal should focus on spending, not taxes Economists see Bowles-Simpson plan increasing unemployment GOP spending bill would overturn Grand Canyon uranium mining ban Flordia Dems to Rick Scott: Apologize for rejecting high-speed rail Exxon spill doesn’t tar Montana gov’s oil sands pipeline support Survey: 80 percent of consumers concerned about AT&T/T-Mobile merger Congress is a big player at Clemens trial GOP, AMA renew attacks on healthcare panel Dem leader Hoyer says he’ll help GOP on debt-ceiling vote, but at a price The White House Twitter town hall Schumer: GOP risks ‘fiscal Armageddon’ House spending panel would cut committee budgets by 6.4 percent Senators press agencies to draw up proposals to shed unneeded real estate High-profile Dem lobbyist joins board of former Blackwater company Sherrod Brown raises solid $1.5 million in quarter Republicans tweet sharp questions to Obama ahead of Twitter town hall The Russian youth will be heard soon TSA: Bombs could be implanted into airline passengers’ bodies US general says Afghanistan troop drawdown won’t trigger more unrest Bushnell: No Plans for D.C. ‘Sex and the City’ Obama outperforms the economy Broadcast blackouts – where are we with reform efforts? Obama will send condolence letters for military suicides Republican mocks White House salaries Service sector continues growth but at a slower pace McConnell slams decision to grant terror suspect civilian trial Rep. Mica to roll out transportation funding proposal Coast Guard bolsters inspection of foreign-flagged offshore drilling rigs McConnell ‘eager’ to meet Obama on Thursday House members push for Libya defunding in DOD spending bill Sen. Brown raises $2 million for Massachusetts reelection bid National Dem group runs attack ad in Wis. state Senate recall Reid: Republicans ‘terrified’ of Norquist Report shines spotlight on health law’s small-business exchanges New IMF head optimistic on economy as fund looks for fresh start Appropriators eye local law enforcement, NASA funding Why are foreign terrorists given the rights of U.S. citizens? Congress needs to stay in town to get the job done News bites: Google profiles go public AFL-CIO’s Twitter question for Obama: ‘Where are the jobs?’ Time to cut farm subsidies now Mortgage applications drop as loan rates rise Dems target six House Republicans on ethics issues Republican spending measure would block EPA climate rules The cloud is transforming Washington Pace of layoffs in first half of the year slowest since 2000 Nevada’s Yucca Mountain nuclear site a dilemma for Republican hopefuls Former Obama official Duckworth to run for Ill. House seat No justice, no peace of mind News bites: Federal regulators demand changes at Exxon pipeline News bites: A picture worth a 1,000 sky miles News bites: K Street blind spot DeMint: Romney’s religion not an issue Wednesday: ‘Shared sacrifice’ in the Senate RNC launches ad campaign attacking Obama on economy News bites: Anticipating Berwick’s exit Mitt Romney raises more than $18M in second quarter DNC boss, president at odds on Cuba policy States slow in setting up central piece of Obama healthcare law GOP Rep. McCotter’s union ties to be tested Fast pace in House leads to lawmaker mistakes, confusion on votes Nevada’s Yucca Mountain nuclear site a dilemma for Republican hopefuls July is make or break for Obama 2012 Palin, Perry: Friendship with a ’12 twist MORNING READ First Lady Appears at Nationals Game Dem seeks 50-50 split: Taxes and cuts