The Hill Articles: March 14, 2012

McKeon wants to stop sequestration — and previous Pentagon budget cuts Dem Sen. Merkley nearly blocks Reid from bringing GOP jobs bill to Senate floor Clooney, Legend, ‘Wire’ star among attendees at Obama state dinner DAY’S END ROUNDUP Dem presses USDA to ban ‘pink slime’ in school lunches Google and Hollywood Reporter to host White House Correspondents’ Dinner eve party Kaine gets a super-PAC in Va. Durbin urges caution over deregulations included in House jobs bill Obama, Cameron share same goal for their economies FCC loses legal adviser Levine State lawmakers blast House GOP’s medical malpractice reform bill How the race stacks up from here Reform groups use Goldman critique to push for tougher rules Santorum says Puerto Rico must adopt English as official language if it wants statehood Clooney testifies to Senate, alleges ‘campaign of murder’ in Sudan Romney heats up defending campaign Resist Obama/Reid’s nomination power play Amid transparency push, House seeks balance of security concerns, traditions House to move bill stripping federal government of land rights in Virginia Hill tax writers look to extend bonus depreciation Celebrity Rabbi Shmuley Boteach to run for House Defense firms fear industry-wide shutdown due to automatic defense cuts Poll: Voters worried US falling behind in science Democrats hammer Romney for Planned Parenthood comments ‘Bad News Bears’ star drops out of House race Email breakdowns plagued White House during Obama’s first 40 days in office No sign of speedier Afghanistan withdrawal from Obama, Cameron House members hope to parlay ‘Kony 2012’ viral video into action in Africa White House, Hill Dems urge quick House action on Senate transportation bill Panetta safe after serious security breach in Afghanistan Democrat Heather Beaven to run in old Mica district Dems fundraising on Romney’s attack on Planned Parenthood Schumer: Saudi Arabia’s plan to increase oil supply will lower gas prices Obama pledges ‘robust’ NATO presence during ‘fighting season’ The Fed joins Twitter Gavin Newsom and filmmaker wife clash on which House candidate to endorse Senate approves $109B highway bill, raising pressure on Boehner, House US Marshals to investigate ‘Manhunters’ footage posted by GOP Rep. Pete King Obama and Cameron pledge to work together on cybersecurity Interior official defends oil program amid federal lands production dip Senate leaders Reid, McConnell strike deal on judicial nominees Chinese premier says yuan may not rise further against the dollar Romney says he’s ‘delighted’ by Hawaii, American Samoa wins Senate GOP presses IRS on treatment of Tea Party groups seeking tax exemption Gingrich plan to block Romney could result in a deal for delegates Senate turns its back on Paul amendment to offer emergency relief from regulators When It comes to jobs, we still have work to do Pew: GOP faces enthusiasm gap; Obama leads in poll Senate Dems hope to jam GOP on Ex-Im Bank DNC slams Romney pledge to ‘get rid of’ Planned Parenthood funding Survey: Public opinion on healthcare mandate is subject to change Baldacci won’t run for Snowe’s Senate seat Watchdog: IRS should probe tax returns of group led by Grover Norquist CIA chief holds closed-door meeting on Syria with Turkish prime minister Santorum adviser calls Mitt Romney ‘Barack Obama lite’ Obama and British PM Cameron’s Rose Garden press conference McConnell: Reid’s judicial votes a ‘heavy-handed power play’ The chaos continues Ex-Obama adviser Gen. Jim Jones teams up with lobby firm World Resources Institute names new president Advice to Mitt: Lose the Levis Poll: Public prefers diplomacy to attack on Iran as tensions rise with Israel Obama Final Four picks heavy on swing states Election-night reflections Obama gives Cameron a Braten 1000 Series grill to celebrate visit Mortgage applications down, purchases picking up Bernanke tells community banks not to fear Dodd-Frank Senators look to repudiate Supreme Court ruling on age discrimination Kohl reveals witness list for Verizon-cable hearing Clooney calls on Congress to pass sanctions on Sudan George Clooney talks Sudan at Senate hearing, to meet with President Obama Oil spill commission reuniting to press for drilling reforms Report highlights wide variance in care quality across the nation FTC subpoenas Apple in Google probe RomneyCare decision time McConnell blasts judicial votes as gimmick to help Obama Obama cracks jokes on ‘bracketology,’ War of 1812 to welcome British PM Big bundlers should see the sunshine ‘War on women’ narrative is risky business Ryan punches back at Reid over budget Bain defends record amid campaign scrutiny Reid calls on Boehner to move Senate transportation bill Poll finds Obama’s approval rating remains steady Democratic hypocrisy News bites: PayPal eases ban on obscene e-books I saw Mark Sunday night Report: Solar installations surged in 2011 News bites: Irrational Ridge switches from Huntsman to Romney Wednesday: Transportation and judges in the Senate Poll: Majority believe Limbaugh should be fired for ‘slut’ remarks British PM Cameron: Obama’s ‘going to help me fill out my bracket’ News bites: One way to go Poll finds Santorum holds lead in Pennsylvania Romney ‘not plugged in’ to March Madness News bites: Birth control makes waves again Panetta in Afghanistan amid tensions over shooting deaths News bites: Global warming’s coastal toll, Saudis might boost oil supply, and more GOP contenders turn to Illinois MORNING READ Longtime friends Lieberman, McCain divided over cybersecurity legislation GolinHarris turns in its K Street badge Independent Senate candidate Angus King a mystery to those outside Maine Romney wins in Hawaii, American Samoa Rep. Nunnelee escapes GOP primary unscathed Gen. Dempsey is right about Iran Rep. Bachus survives tough primary contest Gingrich gives no sign he’ll exit GOP race Santorum wins Alabama, Mississippi; Romney takes third in both states Santorum: ‘We’re going to win this nomination before the convention’ Rep. Bonner defeats primary challenge in Alabama Obama camp attacks Romney on eve of Santorum victories Santorum wins Mississippi primary Santorum wins Alabama primary Sen. McConnell offers support for Obama’s Afghan drawdown timetable Rising gas prices, Afghanistan first big test for Team Obama in 2012 race Obama energy chief disavows 2008 remark in favor of raising gas prices Obama, Cameron talk March Madness at opening game in Ohio Hatch will retire in 2018 if he wins reelection Reid hammers House Republicans ahead of pending fight over the budget Lawmaker wants details on brain injuries of alleged Afghan shooter GOP seeks to counter Reid, White House push on judges Lobbying World Sen. McCain’s pick to play him in future film: Ben Affleck Gavin Newsom and filmmaker wife clash on which House candidate to endorse Alabama, Mississippi races too close to call as polls close ‘Bad News Bears’ star drops out of House race Kennedy’s successful pickup line: ‘Pretend I called you first’