The Hill Articles: December 27, 2012

Senate vote begins on reauthorizing surveillance programs DAY’S END ROUNDUP House Ethics closes Countrywide probe without taking action McConnell: Still time to reach deal on fiscal cliff Simpson-Bowles is the solution to the ‘fiscal cliff’ What Harry Reid has done Rep. Markey to seek Kerry’s Senate seat Acting EPA chief among most likely to succeed Jackson Feinstein defends foreign surveillance program amid calls for more oversight Reid: ‘Fiscal cliff’ deal unlikely Biden swears in Schatz to replace Inouye Source: Hanabusa receiving ‘a lot of pressure’ to run against Abercrombie Liberals, conservatives push their picks for new Pentagon chief Hoyer to Boehner: Reconvene the House to deal with the fiscal cliff Brown: Obama making proposal to Senate GOP on ‘fiscal cliff’ Paul offers amendment to protect emails and text messages from warrantless surveilance Pelosi: GOP should ‘get back to work’ What has Harry Reid done? Gingrich’s phone rings Abba during interview Dr. Ruth: Obstinate members of Congress probably bad lovers Rep. Cole remains optimistic on deal to avoid the ‘fiscal cliff’ Hawaii Sen.-designate Schatz ready for a Washington winter Incoming Sen. Schatz had ‘brief chat’ with Obama on Air Force One BPA resin replacements may be more harmful Senator calls for oversight of agencies that might be monitoring Americans Netflix to roll out social features to US subscribers in 2013 Reid: Looks like ‘we’re headed’ over the ‘cliff’ Reid’s charge, Boehner’s abdication: Obama should call the House back into session New settlement construction dims prospects for two-state solution Obama phones congressional leaders Consumer confidence slides from ‘cliff’ EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to step down Labor market reflects sustained improvement Britons protest private-sector healthcare 2012’s sleeper story: Success in Timor-Leste Log Cabin Republicans release ad attacking possible Hagel nomination New Hawaii senator pledges to tackle climate change Ros-Lehtinen: State ‘misleading’ public on Benghazi resignations News bites: US tech companies push for better factory conditions post-Foxconn Dem senator: Boehner wasted a week pushing failed ‘Plan B’ measure Inouye chief of staff ‘very disappointed’ Hanabusa not picked for Senate News bites: Cliffs and ceilings Michelle Obama: Running for office requires ‘a great deal of patience’ Thursday ‘cliff’ notes: Pro forma in the House; FISA in the Senate Poll: Most back tighter gun laws but oppose assault weapons ban Sen.-designate Brian Schatz joins Obama on Air Force One Poll: Obama will do better in second term News bites: Climate change got real in 2012 Obama, lawmakers return to ‘cliff’ with little room left to maneuver Obama looks to retain upper hand as fiscal talks resume in Washington Abortion-rights champion stepping down Supreme Court won’t block Obama health law’s contraception mandate Hawaii Lt. Gov. Schatz named to Inouye’s seat