The Hill Articles: July 8, 2011

A closer look at next week… NASA launches final space shuttle flight amid uncertainty over agency’s future Following Pelosi’s lead, House Dems dig in their heels on entitlements Senate Democrats abandon Obama promise to end Bush-era tax rates Thou shall not bear false witness, Reverend Sharpton Center for American Progress: Jobs report calls for bigger transportation bill Primary challenger Mourdock rips Sen. Lugar for focusing on foreign affairs Rep. Gerry Connolly to officiate staffer’s wedding Senate committees next week: Solar power, safe water and seapower Perry, Bachmann to speak at Liberty U. in September BP: Most Gulf of Mexico oil spill victims don’t need future compensation Big debt deal threatens to split Republicans over tax reform Witnesses announced for “cramming” hearing GOP: FAA should use more private resources for ‘NextGen’ Axelrod attacks Romney for demanding firing of WH official Dismal jobs report adds urgency to debt talks, fears for Obama’s 2012 campaign Five milestones on the road to Tripoli Rangel to religious groups: Get more involved in debt talks GOP gets creative with #800days Administration reaches goal for public-private healthcare partnership Bachmann, Santorum sign onto social conservative pledge March on Washington for jobs, hope and real change Google chairman Schmidt agrees to testify at Senate antitrust hearing New launch systems hold potential for space exploration An idea whose time has come (again) The global economy and our “human security” Buffett employment will improve with the housing market A duty to balance the gains and pains of free trade Featured House hearings: Bernanke testifies next week Think tank to Obama: Defense budget not your domestic ATM HHS to share some Medicaid savings with states Bair heading to Pew Charitable Trusts From the Curious Department … Romney criticism of Obama echoes famous Thatcher phrase Senate Democrats go after Bachmann on jobs Pawlenty: Carnies are real people too Review and revise Section 4 of the 14th Amendment Let’s make a deal Dem governor: Obama Medicaid plan could pose ‘huge problem’ Obama: Jobs report shows transportation spending needed Energy chief defends light bulb standards Broadcaster group questions preparedness of local officials Watchdog groups call for Ethics to move on case against Rep. Waters Treasury says Geithner not calling for constitutional debt-limit solution House approves $649 billion in defense spending for 2012 Rep. Cantor ‘cannot fathom’ support for tax increases after bleak jobs report Woman says TSA hair search amounts to racial profiling Defense Dept. memo bashes push to lift high-carbon fuels ban House GOP freshmen propose term limits House approves rules for energy and water, flood insurance bills A wake-up call for better pipeline safety Six months after shooting, Giffords’ husband said she’s showing “strength” House opposes shrinking US military footprint in Europe Liberal senators warn Obama over Social Security cuts in any debt deal Auf Wiedersehen! Germany’s goodbye to nuclear power will accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon economy Leave no stone unturned for a shuttle replacement Pursuing the next giant leap in space exploration Rep. Moran wants to build ‘Melting Pot Museum’ in DC Critics of plan to fight childhood obesity say it would destroy jobs House nixes Rep. Kucinich proposal to tie Libya funding to declaration of war After dismal jobs report, Obama tells Congress to pass trade bills House approves same-sex marriage ban to DOD spending bill Looming shuttle layoffs could have been prevented Speaker Boehner says deal ‘not imminent’ in debt negotiations Six months after shooting, Giffords’s husband says she’s showing ‘strength’ House cancels July recess to work on debt Barbour: Race for GOP nomination more like Democratic campaign Financial Services chairman: Dodd-Frank to blame for bad jobs report Howard Dean: Debt-ceiling increase deal is a big test for Boehner House panel approves bill mandating more analysis of EPA rules EMILY’s List jumps into Wis. recall fight End of shuttle program doesn’t mean end of American leadership in spaceflight News bites: Twitter valued at $8 billion Obama tells leaders he’d veto short-term debt hike, lays out two other options Reaffirming US support for democracy in Belarus FLOTUS takes in some tennis GOP promotes social-media use despite recent controversy Bachmann laughs off comment about her ‘sex appeal’ What will employers do with comparative effectiveness research? A new chapter for America’s space program House votes to scuttle ban on high-carbon defense fuels Obama must change policy for hope to be restored Crossroads puts $7M into second phase of TV ads targeting Dems House GOP probing Justice Kagan’s role in healthcare law defense For one to win, another must lose Cut the crap and create jobs America’s space legacy Republican challengers to Obama pounce on ‘stunningly bad’ jobs numbers News bites: Montana governor blasts oil spill command center News bites: ‘Hope’ for a transportation tax in 2012? Senators call for moment of silence at 10th anniversary of 9/11 attacks News bites: Derivatives drama Graham, Senate Republicans reject 14th Amendment debt-ceiling option Friday: Defense spending, energy, flood insurance GOP voters divided over entitlement cuts Palin doc trailer teases film for national audience News bites: Medicaid managed care keeps growing Dem lawmakers send in help for Hahn in Calif. special election Medicaid advocates breathe easy on Ryan’s entitlement reform proposal It’s good to be Speaker; Boehner raises $29M Dem déjà vu: Obama triangulates on debt FEMA rewrites disaster-relief playbook MORNING READ Dem senator seeks repatriation information House adjourns, to face more DOD amendment votes Friday Top Obama adviser says unemployment won’t be key in 2012 Debt showdown set for Sunday