The Hill Articles: March 28, 2012

GOP shifts to offense in highway bill fight Small-business lobby grabs share of spotlight at the Supreme Court Prosecutors compromised Stevens case Look, in the bowl, it’s Soupergirl Hello, neighbor TV chef gets emotional at Capitol Hill briefing Begich plans secret poker strategy for 50th birthday Specter mines Senate for laughs as stand-up comedian President Obama wants to shoot hoops with Jeremy Lin Going forward, learning from Staff Sgt. Bales Holy $%&#! Senators weigh in on public profanity Senate confirms Obama nominee despite GOP opposition Lawmakers seek to limit postal executive compensation Appeal helps Obama Supreme Court scandals OVERNIGHT HEALTH: SCOTUS, over and out OVERNIGHT TECH: Under pressure from lawmakers, AT&T bans ‘cramming’ Gingrich gives history lecture, spars with students at Georgetown campaign stop Weyants World: March 29, 2012 Navy caps five-year shipbuilding plan at 300 ships OVERNIGHT MONEY: House expected to wrap up budget work on Thursday Bowles-Simpson not likely to win 100 votes OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Oil tax breaks fight ends with whimper Anti-incumbent group to target Reps. Moran, Jones To stop insider trading in DC, shrink government Former FCC Commissioner Copps joins Public Knowledge board Romney tells ‘humorous’ story about his dad closing a Michigan auto factory School district settles with ACLU over blocking gay advocacy websites Justices grapple with polarized Congress Poll: Obama holds double-digit lead over Romney nationally DAY’S END ROUNDUP Republicans shedding ‘bitter, bitter’ tears for Big Oil, says Boxer Ryan on the budget: ‘We’ve got to get this under control’ Frustration flows as members search for answers on MF Global Lieberman: DOD should maintain ties to Russian defense firms House Republicans add Pinterest to social media strategy Giuliani will endorse Tommy Thompson Thursday; Dems ‘thank’ him for healthcare position White House corrects Romney, says al Qaeda top US foe, not Russia RNC emphasizes social media in national convention plans Ways and Means clears GOP tax cut proposal Kagan likens Medicaid expansion to ‘a boatload of federal money’ GOP eyes extending transportation funding under normal House rules White House: No decision made on tapping emergency oil stockpiles Rep. Mica calls on Dems to support short-term highway bill Boehner to Obama: Explain ‘troubling’ hot-mic comments on missile defense RNC attacks Obama healthcare lawyer’s performance in new video Senators aim to smooth veterans’ transition into the workforce Sen. Kerry: Healthcare mandate isn’t about ‘eating broccoli’ Supreme Court prohibits live tweeting healthcare case Obama wants to shoot hoops with Jeremy Lin Justice accuses Sen. Reid of bribery for ‘Cornhusker Kickback’ in original healthcare legislation Biden blasts Romney on manufacturing at Iowa campaign stop White House: Vote on ‘Obama’ budget is a Republican gimmick Senate Dems launch countdown clock to highway funding expiration White House has no contingency plans if health law is tossed ‘Extreme’ Republicans have painted Speaker Boehner into a corner over highway bill, says Schumer Audio and transcript: Third day Supreme Court hearings on healthcare law Medicaid expansion Kerry: Use diplomacy to stop Iran making a ‘mad dash’ to nukes Senate GOP could merge dueling resolutions on Syria Justice Scalia jokingly accuses Sen. Reid of bribery in passing healthcare bill FCC hires top economists President Obama wants to shoot hoops with Jeremy Lin House advances GOP budget bill, begins four hours of debate House bill would ban bosses from asking for Facebook passwords Rubio: ‘I’m not going to be the vice presidential nominee’ Public transit holds key to America’s hidden energy reserve LaHood: Boehner needs to ‘show a little leadership’ on highway bill Pelosi: Dems ready to accept Supreme Court verdict on healthcare law FTC shuts down telemarketer that made billions of calls Making the Defense Department more energy efficient Santorum uses Supreme Court oral arguments on Obama healthcare law to criticize Romney Cordray to Chamber: I come in peace Rep. Gwen Moore recounts being raped, molested On House floor, Dem lawmaker recounts being raped, molested Super-PACs: So easy, a college student can do it Healthcare reform is no poison pill Ivanka Trump endorses Romney, praises his ‘business intelligence’ No ‘secret deal’ on missile defense, Pentagon tells House House postpones Wednesday vote on highway bill extension Work on tax bill grinds to halt after quarrel over ‘illicit’ businesses Audio and transcript: Third day of Supreme Court hearings on healthcare law Dems: President should recess-appoint FEC commissioners Standing up for our veterans GOP lawmaker saw ‘skepticism’ on Supreme Court justices’ faces McCain: Washington is the ‘city of Satan’ Dems might again use RSC budget to bedevil House Republicans Rep. West: Ransom for Trayvon Martin’s death a ‘hate crime’ House, Senate leaders convene for presidential inauguration planning Gingrich pledges to fight on despite staff shake-up Senate Dems leave door open to short-term highway bill Democrat calls for NLRB investigation McCain calls Washington the ‘city of Satan’ Interior approval brings Shell closer to drilling in the Arctic this summer EPA official won’t rule out issuing climate rules for existing power plants House panel OKs subpoena of Obama administration over drilling report Telecom industry applauds passage of FCC reform bill Obama campaign official says GOP criticism of Martin comments ‘abysmal’ and ‘despicable’ Who’s paying for the attacks on MADD? FCC official endorses cybersecurity regulation TV chef gets emotional at Capitol Hill briefing CEOs say Washington is putting brakes on economic recovery Scarborough: Supreme Court loss would be ‘big win’ politically for Democrats Trayvon Martin’s parents say they’ll ‘fight for justice’ Guantanamo: Treating our enemies better than our friends White House: Ryan budget cuts spending by $19B more than thought George H.W. Bush to endorse Mitt Romney Polls on ObamaCare mislead Counterfeit medicine threat knocking on America’s doors Dem lawmaker: GOP highway bill maneuvering ‘an embarrassment to the House’ Dem Rep. Rush kicked off House floor for ‘hoodie’ in Trayvon Martin protest Refinancings drop as government activity falls McConnell: Dems’ Big Oil bill ‘doesn’t do a thing to lower gas prices’ Democrat Bivens drops out of Arizona Senate primary, clearing way for Carmona Gingrich to spend his own money ‘if necessary’ to keep campaign alive News bites: Emergency landing Report warns of deep cuts to medical research if budget sequester goes through Polls: Obama pulling away from Romney in three swing states Panetta: ‘We cannot fight wars by polls’ House must pass health board repeal bill again after technical error GOP candidates for Snowe seat to face 9 forums Rep. Maxine Waters: ‘Stiff evidence’ of hate crime in Trayvon Martin case Patton Boggs partner becomes Brooklyn Law dean News bites: Pressure grows on Europe to move against Google Poll finds Romney closing in on Santorum in Pennsylvania American Crossroads blasts Obama for reversal on individual mandate No respect for the ‘will of the people’ Poll: Obama receives low marks on efforts to reduce gas prices Hoyer: ‘Too early’ to say Obama healthcare case is a ‘train wreck’ Herman Cain blames ‘the liberals’ for controversy over goldfish, rabbit ads News bites: US proposes tapping emergency oil reserve, French official says News bites: SCOTUS wraps it up News bites: Taking the Fifth Romney jokes about Santorum, responds to Russia on ‘Tonight Show’ How women’s groups are wrong about ObamaCare Romney’s negatives hit new high, poll finds Education Secretary Duncan: Mission not yet accomplished DCCC hits Ryan in home district Mandate debacle sharpens focus on high court’s final day severability debate Senate candidates queasy on healthcare Beware of the super-PAC: More lawmakers are fearing an ad ambush Santorum’s chances for VP slot slim MORNING READ Gingrich reduces staff, cuts schedule in bid to save his campaign Wednesday: House takes up GOP budget, tries (again) on highway bill Secretary Duncan: Mission not yet accomplished Rough day for Obama healthcare law: Kennedy among mandate skeptics Support grows, yet concerns remain over bill to speed up visa system US must remain alert to Hezbollah threats abroad and at home Senate adjourns for the night It’s time for us to end the war in Afghanistan Recent successes pave way for faster troop withdrawal from Afghanistan Trayvon Martin’s parents suggest racial profiling was responsible for his death US falling behind in battle for ultimate high ground — space