The Hill Articles: January 6, 2012

IRS: Tax gap ballooned to $450 billion Obama takes advantage of Republican absence to score political points Gingrich continues Romney assault, denies insulting ‘junior partner’ Santorum Romney up big, but Santorum gaining steam in latest NH poll Vitter: Obama shredded the Constitution with recess appointment DAY’S END ROUNDUP Paul blasts Santorum as ‘serial hypocrite’ Democratic PAC releases new TV ads calling Romney ‘plastic’ Energy Dept. pulls plug on $730 million auto loan GOP congressman threatens lawsuit against Obama over recess appointments BP appeals violation notices stemming from Gulf of Mexico oil spill Key admiral: 21st century will be ‘century of the Asia-Pacific’ Israel, US plan joint military exercise Romney: Happy anniversary, George and Barbara Bush Report: IEA mulling plan to release emergency oil amid tensions with Iran Santorum too late to buy TV airtime in New Hampshire Touring gun factory, Gingrich admits to never owning firearm Interior, Coast Guard to size up Cuba-bound rig Obama’s military cuts placing the US in great peril, says McCain Santorum will make Illinois primary ballot, says state co-chairman SEC to require admittance of wrongdoing in some settlements Ron Paul should demand in the debates that Mitt Romney release his tax returns NinjaVideo founder sentenced to 22 months in prison Obama administration defends healthcare law in Supreme Court brief Jon Huntsman can save the party of Obama-hate from itself Cain to endorse before S.C. primary Paul campaign calls for removal of Huntsman ‘Manchurian candidate’ ad Airlines made almost $3 billion in profits in third quarter GOP: Could Obama make a recess appointment overnight or on weekend? Panetta on US rescue of Iranian ship: ‘It’s what we do’ Report calls for investments in STEM education, broadband Pro-Israel group releases TV ad bashing Ron Paul’s foreign-policy views Christie, Pawlenty will stump for Romney in New Hampshire HHS finalizes over 1,200 waivers under healthcare reform law Clinton catches puck at ice hockey game NAACP denounces Gingrich’s comment about food stamps Former EPA official joins law and lobby firm Hogan Lovells Rubio slams Obama’s ‘leadership failure’ Top EPA scientist returns to academia Santorum to campaign Saturday while others prep for debate At Interior, preparing for the worst For Obama, an actual good week Obama takes victory lap Poll shows Romney pulling away in S.C., Santorum in second GOP mutes Dem leaders on House floor Rep. Barton cheers DOJ online gambling ruling It’s worth putting Hamas to the test Turkey to purchase two F-35 fighters Huntsman says he’s happy to get endorsement from Globe Republicans, economists urge Supreme Court to strike entire healthcare law Santorum: No plans to team up with Gingrich Justice expands definition of rape Obama’s strategy envisions ‘innovative’ US military role in Africa, Latin America New site helps consumers track data usage New Hampshire poll: Romney still up big; Santorum gains Time to reassess our national transportation program Dem portrays opponent in Oregon special House race as tax evader Jobs report prompts calls for drilling, green energy support Pat Buchanan: Romney will beat Santorum Senate meets for brief pro forma session Obama to propose 0.5 percent increase in federal worker’s pay FTC should block proposed Express Scripts-Medco merger Former VP Cheney’s daughter joining Fox News GOP candidates give Obama little credit for improved jobs numbers Rep. West: House GOP leadership didn’t stand up to the Senate in payroll debate RuPaul: ‘I am not Ron Paul’ Climate scientist spurned by Gingrich laments ‘politicization’ Rep. Clyburn blocked from speaking on House floor News bites: Samsung profits rise at Apple’s expense Economy adds 200K new jobs, unemployment falls to 8.5 percent Republicans block Dem leader Clyburn from speaking on House floor The Eastern Establishment Konservatives (EEK!). Wes Clark/Elizabeth Warren 2016 Perry campaign signals re-launch of SC campaign with new TV ad Dem goes negative in ad for Oregon special House race Rewarding innovation and not laziness Sen. Mark Udall wants lawmakers to take bipartisan dates to State of the Union again Officials: 2013 spending plan could be unveiled this month Santorum spars with college students over same-sex marriage Romney adviser shrugs off Boston Globe endorsement of Huntsman Rasmussen poll: Romney, Santorum at top in South Carolina News bites: Castro warns of climate change, natural gas drilling News bites: Caught Healthcare adds 23,000 new jobs Santorum fundraising push blasts GOP establishment Pro-Romney group hits Gingrich with attack ads in NH and SC News bites: The American alternative Gingrich turns fire on Santorum Bay Buchanan endorses Romney Gingrich: Romney should drop out if he doesn’t win New Hampshire primary Gingrich ‘is welcome to release’ his contract, Freddie Mac official says Iowa officials dismiss report of problems with vote count in caucuses To right’s dismay, Santorum was active in passing controversial Medicare drug bill MORNING READ Bidens catch a movie in Georgetown Romney’s hometown paper endorses Jon Huntsman for president Ask A.B.: Santorum’s Iowa Surprise Rep. Mack expects to top $500,000 goal for Senate bid