The Hill Articles: March 7, 2011

Senate votes to close debate on Patent Reform Act Don’t discourage telework by double-taxing workers Ensign helps GOP by bowing out of race OVERNIGHT TECH: Locke to succeed Huntsman as China ambassador Flights to Cuba added from Tampa Women will decide 2012 OPINION: In fight over civil liberties, that pesky Constitution Weyants World: March 8, 2011 Senate confirms three federal judges Former Sen. Pete Domenici backs Wilson for Senate OVERNIGHT HEALTH: GOP makes new defunding pitch Congressmen adopt Sheen sayings McConnell: Washington has changed Obama Poll: Wisconsin Republicans like Rep. Ryan for president Clean energy innovation: An investment in the future DAY’S END ROUNDUP Senior House Republican bashes White House for mulling strategic oil release Dems pounce on GOP lawmaker’s criticism of transit security cuts House IP subcommittee to hold rogue-sites hearing March 14 House Republicans outline novel health reform defunding tactic Trump fires back at skeptical GOP senator: You’re not that important Trade rep. takes step toward submitting Korea FTA Kucinich: Gates will have ‘blot’ on record for Manning detainment Commission urges Pentagon to let women serve in combat Rep. Farenthold’s travel hassles: No ‘Dublin’ Dr. Pepper, no more platinum upgrades EPA grants $32 million to study air pollution impacts Nevada GOP contender pays respect to Sen. Ensign House Energy subcommittee could move bill to block EPA climate rules Thursday Consumer credit up again in January Sessions: Democrats proposing ‘fake cuts’ to budget House GOP to zero in on gas prices, drilling at upcoming hearings Reid predicts both Dem, GOP plans will fall in Tuesday test Senators want bipartisan committee on government waste Reid: Tea Party behind Republican budget cuts Ensign, ranking telecom senator, to retire The unintended consequences of Dodd-Frank Obama warns Libyan leaders, greenlights $15M more in humanitarian aid Conservative group files suit against Hastings, alleging sexual harassment Plagued by scandal, Sen. Ensign announces he will retire in 2012 Former Rep. tweets of continued political upheaval Docs drop suit after court ruling on creditors Obama’s political arm goes on offensive in spending fight Bernie Sanders: Rely on more tax revenue for deficit reduction White House: Oil price not ‘sole factor’ in tapping reserve Buying friends creates more enemies The King hearing Hospitals to CMS: Don’t penalize us twice Ethanol a dilemma for GOP field in Iowa Comcast promotes top two lobbyists Dems highlight climate science to counter GOP push on EPA rules NPR chief asks critics: What liberal bias? Verizon meets with FCC to discuss 911 problems Report: Tax rates on cell phones can be steep Former Fla. GOP chairman lobbying for high-speed rail DoT: Long airport tarmac delays are down CBO says cutting waste not enough — cuts and/or tax hikes needed Michael Steele advice to Romney: Deal with healthcare ‘elephant’ Rep. Ron Paul the latest to raise in NH Report: Firms tracking viewers’ habits to tailor TV ads Summers: Debt limit doubters playing with fire Coalition briefs policymakers on FDA’s role as Republicans weigh cuts AT&T, Free Press to testify at net neutrality hearing Liberal group pushes for $382 billion stimulus Republicans in Iowa for caucus curtain-raiser Report: Facebook in talks to partner with Skype for video calls Utah Sen. Mike Lee endorses in GOP primary for Hutchison’s Senate seat Canadian oil projects may benefit from Mideast unrest Democrats need to meet GOP halfway on $61 billion cut, Rep. Shimkus says House Dems to host hearing on labor battles Dem: GOP the ‘party of science deniers’ US troops could stay in Afghanistan beyond 2014, says Gates Homeland and hometown security Dems seize on reported rift between Glenn Beck and Fox GOP targets N.Y.’s ‘Beltway Kathy’ Necessity must dictate action in Libyan crisis On International Women’s Day, GOP attacks on women Fox News should remove Glenn Beck, Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin Ryan lays down principles for 2012 budget Merchant groups target Tester on interchange fees House Dems to oppose elimination of mortgage programs Howard Dean: Boehner is a ‘good Speaker’ Dems want to amend anti-net neutrality resolution Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer attends Iditarod sled dog race Pharmacists to blitz Capitol Hill on medication bill China cracks down on foreign reporters Good morning … examining the Senate Democratic spending bill No grudge match in race for ex-Rep. Harman’s seat News bites: Oil prices continue to rise, greens to sue over Gulf ‘dead zone,’ and more Lack of presidential front-runner new for GOP Creating moral hazards The week ahead: Fate of EPA climate rules rests on budget battle This week: Defunding battle begins I survived my month without Dana Milbank In ‘thermometer poll,’ voters rank Sarah Palin at bottom with Pelosi, Reid Romney: ‘I would repeal ObamaCare’ NAB’s Smith sees divided government as an asset to stopping harmful bills This week: More wrangling over spending New Member of the Week: Tea Party-backed Labrador unfazed by success WILLIAMS: New racial order: Hispanics can dare to change political game THE HILL POLL: US future depends on cutting debt, voters say GREGG: ‘Convoluted’ and ‘chaotic’ tax code in dire need of reform The Week Ahead: Shutdown, the sequel Week ahead: Net neutrality fight Kaine vs. Allen would be epic slugfest The $50B question: Where will the Republican majority draw the line? After rocky start, GOP leaders and freshmen step up communication House and Senate panels prepare to grill top Navy, Marine Corps leaders White House to Muslims ahead of Rep. King hearings: Terror threat ‘real’