The Hill Articles: December 5, 2012

Procrastination no longer an option Drafting table Sweet Lobby converts to holiday treat central OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Industry presents ‘optimistic’ outlook on sequester Levin calls on Senate to take up Russia trade bill with stronger human rights sanctions OVERNIGHT ENERGY: FERC chief looks at power grid’s future Senate confirms US Judge for the District of Connecticut Romney’s digital director talks lessons learned OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Short history of a cancer bill Kramer: Reports on U.N. treaty ‘inaccurate’ Report: White House weighs sanctions against Syrian rebel groups OVERNIGHT CAMPAIGN: Last House race to end on Saturday Conservative blog calls on GOP to depose Boehner Obama, Boehner hold phone call on debt talks Hatch: Geithner ‘irresponsible’ on ‘fiscal cliff’ Lawmakers launch bipartisan energy-savings caucus Portman warns White House on debt ceiling US worries Iran sanctions benefiting Russia energy sector Tribal leader calls Obama ‘first American Indian president’ Geithner: White House prepared to face fiscal cliff Poll: Michelle Obama would lead Kirk in hypothetical Senate race DAY’S END ROUNDUP Geithner: White House ‘absolutely’ willing to scuttle deal over tax rates Time to end restriction on military personnel disclosing personal firearms Candidate for Jackson Jr. seat charged with trying to bring gun on plane Kentucky’s Dem governor won’t run against Mitch McConnell Russia trade bill likely headed to Obama desk Reid blocks Senate vote on Obama’s deficit-reduction plan Aerospace Industries predicts $6B growth despite Pentagon spending cuts President must set table for negotiation Downtown Holiday Market makes festive return Taxpayer group outlines ‘fiscal cliff’ punt McCaul: Cybersecurity legislation is ‘top’ priority next Congress Durbin coins ‘Cliffmas’ Schumer: GOP bluffing on debt limit FTC bars advertiser from collecting users’ browsing histories Cooler heads prevailed on Disabilities Treaty White House orders Pentagon to prepare for sequestration Warren asks for help to retire debt Engel wins top foreign policy spot Long-awaited study says gas exports would boost US economy GOP Rep. Jones says he could buck party on middle-class tax vote Sen. Nelson hosts former NBA star Gohmert fine with using ‘lunatic,’ says DC is full of them Obama to visit Michigan to speak on economy in public push on deficit Mentalist ‘The Amazing Kreskin’ says he can break ‘fiscal cliff’ stalemate Study: Healthcare law’s insurance tax will raise premium costs Tribal programs should be spared axe in any deal Sen. Kerry: Rejection of UN treaty on disabled rights a ‘slap in the face’ Consumer bureau, Chicago join forces in hunt for predatory lending Biden visits Capitol Hill Mica bids farewell to Transportation chairmanship at portrait unveiling White House mum on potential ambassadorship for Vogue editor Remembering Jack Brooks Coons: US ignores situation in Mali at its ‘own peril’ Exxon calls ‘children’ ad campaign ‘offensive’ Ron Paul yes, Rand Paul no Murray: GOP protecting wealthy against tax increases is ‘detrimental’ Senate should advise and consent to pending judicial nominations Exotic animals eyed marching around Capitol Hill Former NRSC executive director joins FP1 Strategies Cantor: Dems must reveal spending cuts to move ‘fiscal cliff’ deal forward DCCC launches website calling House Republicans ‘hostage takers’ Walden: Obama hypocritical on Internet freedom Sen. Rubio hypes rapper Pitbull The Renewable Fuel Standards boondoggle Senators debate STEM visa bills Rep. Gutierrez to talk immigration reform with Paul Ryan Rep. Wasserman Schultz educates on Spanx Boxer mocks Boehner’s deficit proposal as his ‘happy holiday gift’ Obama: Repeat of debt-limit fight would be ‘catastrophe’ for US GOP extends House schedule by a week Obama warns business GOP debt-ceiling ‘game’ will hurt economy We must protect quality kidney care House votes to strike ‘lunatic’ from US law House GOP: Obama ‘has to engage’ in cliff talks Ex-climate czar to EPA chief Jackson: Please don’t go House approves resolution to keep Internet control out of UN hands Klobuchar calls on House to take up farm bill before next year Pentagon considering Air Force support for intervention in Mali Lawmakers to White House: Don’t be cheap on Hurricane Sandy aid House GOP leaders press Obama to ‘engage’ in fiscal negotiations GOP Sen. Lee becoming ‘less optimistic’ on ‘fiscal cliff’ deal Window dressing and the ongoing war on women Sen. Rand Paul says Ashley Judd is ‘way too damn liberal for our country’ Hatch: Obama’s deficit-reduction plan is ’embarrassing’ Treasury details ‘McConnell Provision’ on raising debt limit Former Sen. Alan Simpson dances Gangnam Style to avoid the ‘fiscal cliff’ EPA taps new transportation emissions regulator Durbin says Boehner ‘endangers’ economy if no vote on middle-class tax rates House Democrats remember former Rep. Jack Brooks Rubio: ‘More than 50-50’ chance of immigration reforms in next Congress AARP hits Capitol Hill to warn against benefit cuts in deficit deal Service sector’s expansion picks up pace in November Congress presses Obama administration for answers on Mali intervention Sen. McCaskill: President Obama is ‘not a schmoozer’ The future of American Exceptionalism lies in immigration reform Crossroads GPS launches ad accusing Obama of offering ‘no real spending reforms’ House passes Coast Guard authorization, sends to White House Iran claims to have ‘evidence’ of captured US drone Reid blames ‘Tea Party extremists’ for failure to pass disability treaty Liberal group ad claims ‘Exxon hates your children’ Aide for Romney transition team heads back to K Street Rep.-elect from North Dakota placed on Natural Resources panel Suzuki reaches agreement with dealerships on bankruptcy transition Ad claims Exxon ‘hates your children’ News bites: What, me worry? Poll: Majority backs Clinton 2016 bid Gates warns Assad: Don’t ‘underestimate’ Obama Whitehouse to Obama: Find savings in healthcare delivery News bites: Safety slide The case for independence – from two-party system News bites: Answering questions Former Texas congressman Jack Brooks dead at 89 Economy adds 118,000 jobs despite hurdles News bites: UN chief blames rich nations for climate change, tasks them to lead deal to fix it Wednesday: Russia in the Senate, ‘lunatic’ bill in the House Casino mogul Adelson vows to keep funding conservative candidates Senate Republicans publicly repudiate Bob Dole Coburn: ‘I would rather see the tax rates go up’ than cap deductions Cutter: Boehner should deliver better offer before talks with Obama News bites: EU antitrust officials still deciding Google case Obama to appeal to business leaders on raising debt ceiling Charity begins at home, regardless of the outcome Wednesday’s global agenda: Senate votes on Russia trade Amash blasts House leadership after losing Budget Committee spot After five-year odyssey, Rep. Anna Eshoo’s cancer bill nears the finish line Conservative leader says GOP not punishing right-leaning members Centrist Dems lying low on deficit negotiations to avoid 2014 backlash Lobbyists cashing in on ties to new House committee chairmen Watchdogs demand a commitment from Boehner to keep ethics board Businesses warn of impact from tax increase on seniors Books tell the tale about 2016 intentions MORNING READ GOP stars Rubio, Ryan lay out visions for Republican Party Charities lobby Congress to save their tax deduction Obama: I’m willing to horse-trade Lack of rank-and-file House GOP backlash hints at softening on taxes Congressional climate priorities Boehner tightens grip on caucus Lobbying World Fed asks for guidance on ‘stress tests’ Comedian Gilbert Gottfried would ask Obama how he could avoid taxes Approaching the cliff GOP ‘doomsday’ plan Results don’t jibe with economics Dems’ ideas clearly won Staying comfortable yet fashionable this winter Q&A with Calvin Trillin, Author, Dogfight: The 2012 Presidential Campaign in Verse Oh little town of Bethlehem, Pa. Thomas Nast exhibit captures Christmas during the Civil War Members recall the loneliness of war Ann Cashion’s busy Christmas The gentleman from Ohio is recognized Christmas shopping can be made easier with smartphones Christmas pie like no other Celebrate season with day trips Washington’s gingerbread men DC has that lovin’ feeling OVERNIGHT MONEY: Russia trade bill hits the Senate Fresh-cut pines still in fashion for season