The Hill Articles: December 7, 2012

Ousted GOP freshmen demand explanation from Speaker Boehner A closer look at next week… Republicans accuse the White House of ‘bullying’ charities Senate should extend lifelong protection for former presidents Supreme Court to hear ‘pay-for-delay’ case DAY’S END ROUNDUP ‘Fiscal cliff’ distracts from real tough choices ahead Sen. Lugar joins University of Indianapolis as distinguished professor Report: Author of controversial copyright brief fired from RSC Court to hear historic gay marriage cases Biden hints at flexibility on top-bracket tax rate Review of A123 sale critical to national interest Sen. Murkowski beefs up energy committee staff Senate passes a bill allowing movie extras to use their pets without filing paperwork Making bad drugs? Three strikes and you’re out Privacy bill amendments will provide clearer guidance to investigators Southwest Airlines seeks approval for more flights at Reagan Airport Congress reflects on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor Conservative group launches ‘Naughty or Nice’ list on taxes What a Senate vote for Disabilities Treaty would really mean Manchin asks MTV to take down ‘Buckwild’ reality show depicting his constituents Report: DOD drafting plans to strike Syrian chemical weapon targets Window closing on two-state solution and US involvement in peace process Johanns: Some in GOP could be open to higher tax rates with spending cuts Newly elected members race to set up leadership PACs Consumer sentiment falls sharply in December Reid bill would make debt-ceiling hikes subject to CRA review The question of compromise Walmart impoverishing and endangering its workers Deficit already at $292 billion for fiscal 2013 Keeping defense spending on the table Senate to discuss terrorism in Pakistan, Hurricane Sandy recovery next week Reid’s ‘Lincoln’ Senate screening request: Popcorn Canada reportedly leaving F-35 program SC governor responds to #SenatorColbert campaign Leader of Dem governors promises ‘laser’ focus on climate Fewer Americans employed, unemployment rate drops Boehner: ‘There’s no progress to report’ because White House ‘wasted another week’ Boehner: Obama wants to ‘slow-walk’ talks, wastes another week Issa’s San Diego home burglarized of $100,000 in jewelry Haley won’t appoint herself to DeMint seat Shared sacrifice needed to fix the debt McConnell filibusters McConnell, McCain blasts Paul, Demint criticizes Boehner, most Senate Republicans insult Bob Dole America’s 2012 Nobel Laureates on creativity and innovation Top US wireless carriers agree to speed up launch of text-to-911 service Sen. Manchin ‘repulsed’ by new MTV show ‘Buckwild’ Reforming the GED Dick Butkus to testify next week on HGH testing in the NFL Veterans’ unemployment ticks up slightly SEC considers suing Netflix over Facebook post Holtz-Eakin: GOP governors enabling single-payer healthcare Paternity test for TSA? Deposed GOP lawmaker suggests he could vote against Boehner as Speaker Sen. Thune: Obama ‘not very engaged’ in debt talks Kerry introduces bill to inform foster children of college aid White House takes #My2K offline with Biden lunch Biden to lunch with middle class to push tax plan Rep. Cleaver: ‘We have to make some cuts and deal with Medicare’ News bites: Doc-fix time Axelrod says he’s encouraged by Boehner, Obama talks News bites: Lawsuit takes flight You are doing it wrong: The Right and digital politics Colbert launches Twitter campaign to get appointed as DeMint’s successor News bites: T-Mobile to sell iPhone Rep.-elect from Florida pledges support for climate change legislation Black Caucus chairman backs means-testing to trim Medicare costs Economy adds 146K jobs; unemployment falls to 7.7 percent News bites: Mano-a-mano Rep. Cleaver: Rep. Tim Scott would back same policies as DeMint News bites: UN fund might use climate donations to encourage carbon price Torpedoing Pearl Harbor Day NRSC funneled $760K to Missouri GOP in final days of election Axelrod slashes his mustache Unions target McCaskill, Warner in new round of ‘cliff’ ads Debt group backed by 147 ex-lawmakers Google case could turn on single vote DeMint’s departure leaves no void, Senate conservatives insist Campaign to Fix the Debt signatories MORNING READ Romney campaign raised $85.9M in final weeks WMATA projects 2013 inauguration half the size of Obama’s first swearing-in