The Hill Articles: November 30, 2011

Senate talks Xmas spruces: Paul tricked by his tree, Graham likes to ‘wow’ them Congressman keeps a sense of humor about telling journo, ‘Don’t laugh’ Rep. Duncan a Tebow fan Santorum picks up powerful former Bachmann supporter in N.H. Cain is fond of speaking in the third person Pawlenty tops mag’s list of ‘Least Influential’ Lessons from Wal-Mart moms OVERNIGHT ENERGY: GOP seeks political price for Obama’s Keystone pipeline delay House advances deregulation, campaign funding bills U.S. announces potential $304 million weapons package to UAE Gingrich says campaign exceeding even his expectations Cain alleges Democrats behind personal attacks to help Gingrich House passes GOP bill to block ‘draconian’ union election rule Paul video focuses squarely on Gingrich OVERNIGHT MONEY: Lawmakers delve into lawmakers’ insider trading practices Google rips Senate’s online piracy bill: ‘This is what is wrong with Washington’ GOP in 
panic mode Cain will make final decision about staying in race within a week Obama’s Hillary card Lawmakers worried about terrorists getting Libyan missiles Weyants World: December 1, 2011 Cain to make decision on race within a week Lawmakers praise FCC nominees; Sen. Grassley firm on promise to block them Bachmann team apologizes for misleading Cain tweet Nikki Haley will ‘absolutely’ endorse for 2012 before Iowa caucuses House rejects Dem amendments to NLRB bill DAY’S END ROUNDUP McCain joke about Long Island falls flat for a fellow senator House Republicans commend Tim Tebow House panel votes to repeal CLASS healthcare act GOP: Pay for payroll tax cut with federal workforce, safety net cuts Supercommittee Dem: GOP trying to ‘weasel out’ of sequestration cuts Additional budget cuts could force House committees to lay off staffers First dog ‘Bo’ recreated for White House holiday decorations Dems say extension of unemployment benefits is non-negotiable Right wing House members going too far with regulatory bills Partisan debate on union bill sets up partisan vote Former Rep. Charlie Wilson will seek rematch in Ohio Van Hollen optimistic on prospect for budget reform bill First dog Bo recreated for White House holiday decorations Obama energizes crowd with GOP barbs in Scranton Another poll shows Gingrich up big in Florida Obama urges Congress not to be a ‘Grinch’ and extend payroll-tax cut Republican says Dem needs to set the record straight on nukes Senate orders gradual reduction of military aid to Pakistan Outside Dem group goes on air for Nelson Rep. Cravaack lauds House approval of TSA military screening bill Fed sees some signs of economic recovery in beige book report Report: Gingrich encouraged government contracts for consulting clients HHS says looser rules for health records will spur job creation Representatives on opposite sides of aisle push for line-item veto bill Economic security suffering with understaffed ports of entry

 Romney firm earned substantial profits for Blackstone New DNC video attacks Romney for ‘disastrous interview’ Dem senator critical of administration’s no-bid contract for smallpox vaccine Virginia Gov. McDonnell reelected RGA chairman Rep. Duncan a Tim Tebow fan Amtrak touts Thanksgiving ridership numbers Conservative groups on a collision course in competitive primaries Why the United States must freeze funding for UNESCO Democrats ask to postpone vote on spectrum bill Paul: Fed move may be spurred by White House The conservative paradox – Romney the competent Down the rabbit hole Sens. Lugar, McConnell hope for Dem backing on Keystone pipeline bill GOP leader promotes White House pick for healthcare post Air Transport Association taking off with a new name Bingaman to float ‘clean energy standard’ early next year Dems push payroll tax holiday, accuse GOP of being shills for the wealthiest Iran’s dangerous path of isolation Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman should blast Newt Gingrich, Washington insider and influence peddler Cain mum on ‘reassessment’ in Ohio speech House members honor slain staffer Zimmerman in floor speeches Tech trade group questions FTC privacy settlements Airports want more control when flights are diverted Senate clears amendment to allow military chaplains discretion over same-sex marriage New NH ad says Romney’s ‘the right answer’ for the economy Senate Dems still hope to change DOD bill’s rules on terror suspect detainees Romney campaign releases second ad in NH Fourth Republican enters race for ND’s lone House seat Study: AT&T spent $40 million on ads to promote T-Mobile deal IRS to taxpayers: E-filing ensures refund delivery NH Dem governor praises Huntsman Boehner asks House to back tribute to slain Giffords aide Romney bags more Wall Street support Huntsman might not qualify for Iowa debate Green groups blast Clinton’s strategy in climate talks Democrat says Senate leaders don’t want vote on earmark ban Huntsman calls latest Cain accusation ‘bimbo eruption’ Dem leaders see leverage in upcoming House policy fights Obama press secretary: ‘Answer is no’ to changing automatic spending cuts Boehner calls on all House members to support tribute to slain Giffords aide Nonprofit health plans top quality-of-care rankings for seventh straight year Democrat: Attacks on labor board coming from ‘a right wing on steroids’ Ryan teams up with Van Hollen on budget bill Gov. Haley Barbour endorses online sales tax Republican leaders warn rank and file: Don’t blow our advantage on taxes Deal to avert freight rail strike appears dead Hillary Clinton lands in Burma House Democrats want analysis of viability of programs to reduce mortgage principal Club for Growth would back Rep. Graves in GOP primary Senate votes to advance Department of Defense authorization bill Do Not Call list up to 210 million phone numbers Poll: Gingrich opens big lead in Florida Rep. Rogers: US in ‘economic cyber war ‘ Democratic bill would create a right to free checked, carry-on bags Cain slams accusers for trying to ‘bring me down’ with ‘character assassination’ EPA: New rules limiting pollution will not cause power outages GOP reaction to Fed efforts to boost Europe mixed Actress Mia Farrow ‘grateful’ for Rep. Lewis Senate OKs Levin-McCain plan on fake military parts Support for healthcare reform law sees slight rebound Reid files cloture on payroll-tax cut bill Pawlenty tops mag’s list of ‘Least Influential’ Black Republican calls on Cain to exit race Job cuts flat in November but totals eclipse last year’s levels Gingrich blasts Bachmann as ‘factually challenged’ Senate leaders spar on floor over payroll tax cuts GOP lawmaker criticizes Obama for not mentioning God in Thanksgiving address House Intel Committee announces cybersecurity bill without mandates Democrats to push campaign finance reform legislation Jon Stewart pranks Jon Huntsman Private employers add 206,000 jobs, exceed expectations Reid looks to strengthen genital-mutilation ban Two pieces of legislation threaten public protections: the 
REINS Act and the Regulatory Accountability Act Cain accuser: ‘I can’t make this stuff up’ Report: V-22 fleet’s lifetime operating costs soar The spoiled Pakistanis Bielat might run again for Frank’s seat Sarah Palin still untried Are we down to a two-person Republican race? FCC members suggest AT&T, T-Mobile merger should be scrapped News bites: An unwanted volt Casey might get another GOP challenger in Pa. Red-state energy, red-state jobs Administration continues payroll-tax sell job with new study Gingrich says he didn’t lobby because he didn’t need the money News bites: Samsung wins Australian court ruling against Apple Wednesday: House to approve Giffords resolution, advance several GOP priorities DCCC to return to Medicare attacks against vulnerable Republicans News bites: Obesity coverage, high-priced lobbying, and more Cain accuser says he’s not fit to be president Perry on voting-age gaffe: We all ‘make some mistakes’ GOP Immigration chairman rips Gingrich’s ‘amnesty’ plan News bites: Missed the boat News bites: Romney’s Solyndra link, battles over climate financing, and more Old guard fades from Dem ranks Cardinals to Boehner: Crack whip Republican wildcard in NLRB vote Lawmakers propose end to congressional pensions From former foes to political bros MORNING READ Norquist, Chamber press for repatriation Herman Cain’s exit may be coming soon GOP shifts battle tactics in war for tax supremacy with Obama, Democrats Rep. Frank retirement announcement opens unexpected seat in 2012 race Reid accuses Gang of Six deficit-cutters of ‘happy talk’ without offering proposals Capitol Police Files Lobbying World Senate to hold Wednesday cloture vote on defense authorization Romney pushes back at flip-flopper tag Romney says illegal immigrants should ‘get in line’ House approves immigration, bankruptcy, airport screening bills Community events and festivals Romney: If healthcare costs me a primary ‘so be it’ Senate agrees to reauthorize small business programs Cain, during speech, reveals Sunday night routine with his wife Cyber Monday spending hits record $1.25 billion Intimate shops offer serious finds Ask A.B.: Newt is ‘the man’