The Hill Articles: December 6, 2012

DeMint gave colleagues short notice OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Concerns mount over Syrian chemical weapons Obama lights National Christmas Tree in 90-year-old holiday tradition OVERNIGHT TECH: FCC’s Pai warns that net neutrality is only the ‘first step’ OVERNIGHT MONEY: Focus turns to jobs OVERNIGHT CAMPAIGN: DeMint to leave Senate for Heritage Foundation Centrist Democrats flock to tax-cut discharge petition Dems see jobs report as factor in push for stimulus in debt deal Mark Sanford not ruling out run for DeMint’s seat OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Christie says no to NJ-based health exchange Adelsons spent $33 million in final 3 weeks of campaign OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Gas export battle rages despite positive report DeMint takes parting shot at Boehner Senate passes bill easing energy efficiency rules on appliances Northeast transit officials detail Hurricane Sandy impact Gore to Obama: Talk is cheap on climate Obama’s inaugural committee launches Twitter feed FCC to FAA: Allow ‘greater use’ of electronic devices during flights DAY’S END ROUNDUP Bingaman calls for end to ‘out-of-date’ trade embargo on Cuba White House taps former top commander in Iraq to lead Central Command Watchdog: More than $2B in unused stimulus has expired Panetta: Intelligence shows ‘concerns’ about Syrian chemical weapons Eva Longoria to serve as co-chairwoman of Inaugural Committee GOP lawmaker: Don’t let White House ‘water down’ Iran sanctions Senate to DHS: No tanks, thanks South Carolina state senator doesn’t want DeMint’s seat House bill would ease rules on companies that send remittances to Somalia, other countries Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton nominated for Grammys LaHood defends California high-speed rail plan Simpson: ‘I made a perfect ass out of myself’ with Gangnam style video White House, business groups commend Congress for passage of Russia trade bill Stabenow open to more farm bill food-stamp reforms Ambassador: US working ‘day and night’ to keep Internet rules out of UN treaty Priebus says he’s locked up support for second term as RNC chairman Dem senator suggests bombing Syrian Air Force Poll: Rubio leads GOP pack for 2016 US, Iraq reach long-term security cooperation pact Menendez: Sandy bill without spending cuts gaining support of House GOP Pentagon’s top lawyer to resign Top GOP aide predicts bipartisan energy-efficiency bill next Congress Obama takes tax fight with GOP to Virginia Senate passes bill delaying financial disclosure rules for senior government officials Sen. Kirk to return to Capitol Hill in Jan. after recovery from stroke Republicans celebrate ‘birthday’ of Washington Monument Bill Clinton: ‘Don’t get too disgusted’ by ‘fiscal cliff’ negotiations Senators compete in Sandy food drive GOP taps gas lobbyist for energy job Obama’s selfish data play LaHood spends birthday with House Transportation Committee Tim Pawlenty meets with White House officials US pivoting to the Pacific in a new century Top GOP aide predicts bipartisan energy efficiency bill next Congress Senators warn FCC not to relax media ownership rules Cornyn expects to leave Armed Services Committee Graham enjoyed playing ‘good cop, bad cop’ with DeMint Guantánamo 55 NJ rejects state-based health exchange O’Malley touts same-sex marriage ahead of rumored 2016 run Senate votes to confirm two judicial nominations Pelosi jabs DeMint on his way out On taxes: Punt, then tackle US ambassador: Syria’s Assad could escape criminal prosecution Jim DeMint resigns from Senate Reid rejects GOP move to vote on debt-limit powers in Obama plan Senate passes Russia trade bill in 92-4 vote President Obama meets with NJ Gov. Christie on Sandy recovery effort Economist Zandi: Kill the debt limit LaHood open to second term at DOT Romney strategist: Hurricane Sandy halted campaign momentum Book: Ex-president’s dog was so miffed that he ran away from the White House Hurricane Sandy was a call to action for US and Canada on climate change Chief executives push for tax reform Federal energy regulator ready to target power-market manipulators North Korea eyes new round of missile tests, says US commander The circular firing squad FISA needs oversight, amendment before reauthorization Afghan intel chief wounded in bomb blast Republican sources: DeMint wants Rep. Tim Scott to take his place in Senate Survey: Parents support stiffer rules on child online privacy Maintain the debt ceiling House GOP introduces bill opposing Obama’s request for debt-ceiling authority Sen. Kerry ‘dreams’ of playing in the NHL DeMint resignation leaves opening on Commerce Committee Achieving an AIDS-free generation: Don’t forget children living with HIV South Carolina’s GOP chairman: DeMint resignation ‘a shocker’ Why I support Russia PNTR Petition’s goal: Get Obama to dance ‘Gangnam Style’ US asks for WTO action against Argentina Poll: Obama’s approval rating at highest level since bin Laden’s death Shelby plans move to Appropriations Restaurant chains ditch plans to cut workers’ hours in response to health law Reid compares GOP to New York Jets Federal energy commission chief says regulator will ‘go after anybody’ Senators to watch special screening of ‘Lincoln’ Investors expect huge drop in stocks if ‘cliff’ deal isn’t reached New report warns of diplomatic costs to the US of Iran sanctions GOP names members to Agriculture Committee GOP Rep. LaTourette: There’s a growing sense Obama has won on tax rates News bites: Tradeoffs News bites: It’s legal News bites: Under fire South Dakota Dem Sen. Johnson opens door to retirement Claims for jobless benefits drop by 25,000 House delays rules requiring officials to put financial info online News bites: Apple to make computers in US House Democrat coughs through live interview GOP-led committee releases guides for implementing health law The Hill’s ‘Energy Efficiency, Reliability and the Smart Grid’ briefing Obama to meet with middle-class family to push deficit plan Dem senator: GOP playing ‘game of chicken’ on fiscal deal Thursday: Russia trade bill faces passage in the Senate Report: Clinton to hold Syria talks with Russian officials, UN envoy Thursday’s global agenda: Clinton to talk Syria with Russia Lawmaker chews out staffer for riding on members-only elevator Clinton faces pressure to address abortion law on Ireland trip News bites: UN climate talks press on, China looks to shale gas, and more Lawmakers push to station remaining US troops at Afghan bases after 2014 Obama-friendly business group given great access to the White House McConnell pushes back against campaign finance reform efforts Last House race to end on Saturday Primary challenger yet to emerge for Graham MORNING READ Boehner to members: Leadership is watching your voting patterns OVERNIGHT MONEY: Taking a look at the FHA Debt limit complicates deficit talks Senate votes to accept international adoption standards Under Contract Appointments Fiscal cliff could cause political revolution Reg Watch Hillary: The next FDR Supporters vow to press ahead on online sales tax OVERNIGHT TECH: Senate Judiciary to consider location privacy bill Dems should pass the torch