The Hill Articles: July 7, 2011

Rep. Kline considers bill to block overhaul of union election process Reg Watch Under contract Deputy defense secretary to step down Surprise! You’re dining at PS 7’s Member of Congress need to spend less time raising funds A little spritzer never hurt any wine Israel resolution overwhelmingly approved in House Appointments Defense spending cuts rejected by House FCC delivers net-neutrality rules to OMB Too much ado about the debt ceiling Weyants World: July 8, 2011 Hatch derides Democrats’ focus on ‘yachting class’ Pick Warren already Food, green groups call Senate ethanol plan a mixed bag Internet providers, entertainment groups partner to fight copyright infringement Former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley Battling Cancer Bill Clinton’s bad advice Geena Davis names Healthy MEdia Commission members Daily roundup: Kagan health law ties probed Norquist’s group steers clear of new ethanol fight – for now Sen. Rubio asks ‘what’s next for NASA’ after final shuttle flight House Dems draw the line at benefit cuts House continues to slog through DOD spending amendments CNN’s new White House correspondent: I’m a dork DAY’S END ROUNDUP Chairman Mica’s transportation priorities are wrong Nearly 100 organizations protest DC riders in budget bill Why we need to reform Social Security Study: Health law key to fighting obesity AFL-CIO, Chamber agree: Not enough spending in House transportation bill Book claims Obama’s father considered putting him up for adoption The US and EU have a role to play in Cyprus reunification “Worse than Obamacare,” conservatives demonize the NLRB GOP House leaders prepare to work through July recess GOP leaders say they’ll know by Sunday if comprehensive deficit deal is possible Sen. Inhofe introduces a ‘pilot’s bill of rights’ IRS suspends gift-tax investigations Former Sen. Dorgan joins wireless startup Heck off to quick start in Washington, but where will he run? Democrats slam transportation bill from House GOP, calling it ‘road to ruin’ Conservative senators lay out debt plan Pelosi, Obama to meet privately on debt limit GOP wants FDA bill to boost drug industry’s role Schumer: GOP will bear the blame in case of default Panel votes to scuttle space telescope House votes to defund aid to Libyan rebels, rejects ‘use of force’ defunding Acting up: John Cornyn on dreams, criminals and hypocrisy Huntsman poaches Romney’s backyard for supporters Grassley: Muted praise for ethanol deal Pawlenty urges GOP to ‘draw lines in the sand’ in debt-ceiling fight House re-approves $125 million cut to military band funding Dealing with Pakistan’s nuclear weapons during the Afghanistan withdrawal Pakistan funding maintained in two House votes A former presidents club: A modest proposal Afghanistan defunding amendments rejected by House Schumer threatens 14th Amendment solution for ‘next round’ of debt-ceiling talks Rep. Camp promises to move worker aid and trade deals simultaneously Court tosses FCC’s relaxed ownership rule Angry House members look to defund Libya mission Romney meets with UK Prime Minister Cameron Obama calls debt talks constructive, but cites divide on a range of issues Pelosi not informed in advance of Obama’s broader reform plans Sen. Kirk’s presence doesn’t bring Chicago Cubs any luck Policymakers take a look at inflation change in debt talks Millionaire tax resolution clears hurdle EPA finalizes rules for cross-state air pollution Treasury gets small-business lending fund up and running Kaine hires campaign manager Book claims Obama’s father considered putting him up for adoption FCC commissioner blasts his agency for over-regulation Dems pounce on Hatch speech about poor and taxes No fireworks as appropriators approve Commerce, Justice cuts House liberals demand no cuts to Medicare, Social Security in deficit deal Obama presses Congress to go big on deficit-reduction deal Industry lambasts continued push for imaging cuts in Medicare Reid defends Senate schedule Rep. Ryan doesn’t expect debt ceiling deal today White House rolls out more help for struggling homeowners Senate Democrats fuming over Obama’s apparent move on Social Security Rep. West praises Obama for reported openness to Medicare and Social Security cuts House to vote on GOP legislation repealing light bulb efficiency standards Congressional aides vie to be crowned Miss DC Pence: Debt-ceiling hike should be contingent on balanced-budget amendment McCain mocks Senate work schedule New York Dems pick candidate to replace Weiner Senate GOP tries to spring trap on taxes Senators reach deal to end ethanol tax break Boehner: Tax reform ‘under discussion’ but GOP won’t allow hikes Mystery shoppers are a waste of taxpayer money Rep. Broun: Let’s lower the debt ceiling, not raise it Head of Obama jobs council to join U.S. Chamber at Monday summit News Bites: Judge rules Amazon can use ‘App Store’ name Time to start jobs, not spend reserves Plouffe: Americans won’t vote on unemployment rate Federal government to review rate increases in 10 states Georgia Rep. Broun calls for lowering the debt ceiling Appropriators move bill sending strong ‘message’ to EPA Reid: GOP claims they are looking out for the people are ‘ridiculous’ From Casey Anthony to Wall Street: Crime pays Sen. Paul offers straight debt-ceiling increase Durbin sees ‘skeletal’ agreement ahead of White House meeting Snowe embraces DeMint with op-ed Public, private job reports show gains Obama move on Social Security puts him at odds with Dem leaders Reid, Pelosi News bites: Plan B TSA lack of respect News bites: Happy diamond anniversary, air traffic control Huey might cause California political earthquake Not so worthy of fireworks: America’s oil addiction Gainful employment rule blocks nation’s real priorities DeMint would accept ‘serious disruptions’ to economy in debt debate Study: Volume, not cost, drives up Medicaid spending Bachmann launches first TV ad in Iowa News bites: Fight over Medicare graduate medical education cuts flares up News bites: Weighing a New York nuke shutdown, Shell under fire for fracking claims, the latest on the Exxon spill, and more Iowa conservative unveils new pledge for GOP candidates MORNING READ Defense spending faces $700 billion cut Issa: We could have done better Thursday: DOD amendments in the House, millionaire tax in the Senate House appropriators threaten Pakistan funding over bin Laden controversy Battle of the bands: GOP splits over funding for military music Senators: Put tax reform timeline in debt deal, end stalemate Whitfield seeks Dem backing for bill thwarting EPA’s power plant toxics rule Cantor: GOP willing to talk about closing tax loopholes in debt negotiations Dems protest Afghanistan war, propose defunding amendments White House mum on debt talks, meeting with Speaker Boehner Letter from business groups: Raise debt limit before stock market ‘disarray’ Grille at Morrison House a tasty blend of charm Grille at Morrison House a tasty blend of charm ‘Sex and the City’ not coming to Washington Sen. Rand Paul not a fan of ‘kicking the can’  Corker coins his very own catchphrase Senate Dems rally around Conrad’s left-leaning budget proposal, tax raises Republican mocks White House salaries House kills Rep. Welch amendment to strip $297 million for Air Force bomber program CNN’s new White House correspondent: I’m a dork