The Hill Articles: March 8, 2012

OVERNIGHT ENERGY: War over Keystone is far from over, GOP says OVERNIGHT MONEY: February jobs report arrives as Obama hits the road RNC raises $11.3 million in February OVERNIGHT TECH: FCC will probe Verizon-cable commercial deals NFL quarterback Philip Rivers endorses Santorum Mississippi governor endorses Romney OVERNIGHT HEALTH: IPAB repeal would top $3 billion, says CBO Senate votes to channel Deepwater Horizon fines to Gulf restoration fund Romney: Mississippi, Alabama primaries ‘a bit of an away game’ GOP on Keystone: This isn’t over Senate fends off move to kill highway bill Pentagon tries to sell skeptical Congress on new rounds of base closures Hoyer: Obama coattails offer ‘reasonably good’ chance of Dem House majority Senate to complete highway bill vote-o-rama next week DAY’S END ROUNDUP Obama super-PAC head: Maher remarks ‘vulgar,’ but not comparable to Limbaugh FAA plans pilot program for drones to fly in US airspace Abortion debate entering new arenas Senate rejects Keystone in 56-42 vote US investigating allegation of drug smuggling by Afghan Air Force Financial services lobby concerned about tax-evasion proposal Study: Votes in favor of healthcare reform cost Dems 5.8 points in 2010 vote Dem women senators press Boehner to nix birth-control vote FCC fires back at Sen. Grassley over LightSquared Senate defeats Coburn effort to cut waste Need a White House Correspondents’ Dinner date? ‘Sex and the City’ star is free Ask A.B.: GOP nomination fight goes on after Super Tuesday Gingrich visits gas station, mocks Obama alternative energy ideas Bill Maher defends Rush Limbaugh against critical ‘fatwa’ Lawmakers push for ‘pedal to the metal’ sanctions against Iran On National Agriculture Day, honor America’s farmers and ranchers Google’s Schmidt warns of software that ‘silently deletes our voices’ Michelle Obama: Hillary Clinton ‘is a role model for me in so many ways’ Senate defeats amendment to roll back EPA boiler rules Republicans demand update on Medicaid finances Trump records new set of robocalls for Romney campaign Chris Wallace honored with award at National Press Foundation dinner Leahy joins #stopkony Twitter movement, pledges funding to capture Ugandan guerrilla Kerrey: Reid vowed to ‘respect’ my previous service Boehner appears open to lower spending cap in budget Senate kills amendment to expand offshore oil drilling Cantor gives nod to freshman Rep. Kinzinger in member-on-member Ill. primary Cantor opposes natural-gas vehicles bill, dimming prospects Pelosi says Keystone might be ‘worthy’ but won’t cut prices at the pump Tea Party senators unveil five-year plan to balance the budget Insurance giant sues after backlash over ads on Limbaugh show Senator praises Girl Scouts, but can’t keep hands out of the cookie jar House offers new video teleconferencing service for members, staff Rep. Burton warns McCain, Obama against hitting Syria without asking Congress Blue Dogs endorse Shuler chief of staff for his seat Senate leaders praise Speaker’s decision Top general warns Syrian uprising could accelerate al Qaeda’s resurgence in Iraq Obama’s approval rating leaps into positive territory ‘America’s Got Talent’ host Nick Cannon thinks Obama would crush competition P. Diddy poses with Rep. Waters at Newseum Reid: Democrats will kill Keystone amendment Gingrich and wife dance the night away after grueling Super Tuesday Sen. Corker attempts to sink highway bill with budgetary point of order Success built on 100 years of sacrifice Santorum faces further ballot and delegate issues in DC, Illinois Business groups tell regulators to go public on Dodd-Frank rulemaking House approves JOBS Act in 390-23 vote Cantor meeting fails to resolve Republican budget impasse Dem candidate clears the way for Kerrey in Nebraska Senate race Boehner: Obama ‘lobbying against American jobs’ with Keystone calls Dems push bill to ban military detention for US citizens GOP strategist: Focus on economy can win back Latino, women voters New Wisconsin Senate candidate adds chaos to GOP field House accepts four more amendments in run-up to JOBS Act passage Rep. Dicks won’t endorse in primary to replace him Cindy McCain: HBO film ‘doesn’t even resemble what took place’ in ’08 Sen. Brown gets some love from daughter Ayla Late-term abortion ban makes Rep. Franks a target of protesters Revolution vs. restoration Pelosi mocks Cantor’s ‘little king’ jobs bill Ron Paul should criticize Mitt Romney over war policy, or drop out and endorse Romney Boehner’s effort to move House $260B transportation bill lacks support White House launches ethics site that Obama promised in 2008 Sen. Kerry: ‘Obama already doing’ what Romney called for on Iran South Carolina Gingrich staffer says he should exit race Dems look to ease penalties against federal workers for engaging in politics Energy chief: We want lower gas prices White House simulates cyberattack for senators in push for more regulation Rick Santorum country song picks up steam on the Web We must reform our nation’s dairy programs Surgeon general: Tobacco use a ‘pediatric epidemic’ Pro-Santorum super-PAC buys ads in southern primary states ‘Joe the Plumber’ says he’s qualified for Congress because he’s a ‘citizen’ Need a White House Correspondents Dinner date? ‘Sex and the City” star is free Senate panel OKs tougher penalties for prescription drug thefts Second House panel clears bill to repeal Medicare board Rep. Schweikert blows out the candles with gumbo Celebrate agriculture, don’t stifle agriculture Kerry: Romney ‘irresponsible’ on Iran Natural-gas tax fight between Koch, Pickens reaches Senate floor Empowering women empowers us all Reid: Senate approaching finish line on highway bill Fighting for mid-south agriculture Cantor calls on Reid to quickly take up JOBS Act Pentagon’s cyber-war capabilities are falling short, official says Crossroads drops $300,000 to hit McCaskill Senate vote-a-thon on highway bill amendments could stretch until next week McConnell: Obama personally lobbying Senate Dems to oppose Keystone XL amendment House members propose giving astronauts ownership of space mission artifacts Farm Bill reauthorization helps everyone Lanny Davis defends Limbaugh, smears liberals Snowe tries to give Brown a boost Relieving the pain at the pump Shake a farmer’s hand, set aside the government’s hammer Allen West betrayed Rubio: GOP candidates shouldn’t be pushed to drop out of primary New NRCC website hits Tierney on day of brother-in-law’s sentencing News bites: Feds threaten to sue Apple News bites: What happens in Vegas … is windy Jobless claims rise, market still reflecting growth Thursday: Senate moves on transportation, House finishes JOBS Act News bites: Republicans advocated for DOE loans Obama camp releases trailer for documentary touting first term Rep. Bachmann calls outrage over Limbaugh ‘overkill’ News bites: Belief Biden hopes GOP has ‘another 20 debates’ Armed Forces Chairman Levin wants Limbaugh dropped from military radio Actress Kristin Davis: We need to reform food aid News bites: HHS disputes HIT drives up costs Obama plays hard on and off the court Often frosty relationship between Obama and Cantor begins to warm up Sen. Hatch facing do-or-die caucuses Rep. Issa fails to gain traction in push for new anti-online piracy bill MORNING READ Senate to vote on Keystone oil pipeline Reid says Senate has deal on amendments to $109B highway bill Republicans fear rough primary could cost them the House and the Senate Gingrich’s future hangs on successful Southern state strategy Boehner struggling for Republican unity Sequester would be like a government shutdown for Pentagon, warns admiral Ali Wentworth: People in DC actually read books Rep. Schweikert blows out the candles with gumbo ‘America’s Got Talent’ host Nick Cannon thinks Obama would crush competition Capitol visitors ticked after saying tours delayed twice Laila Ali wants to take some lawmakers into the boxing ring What’s for sale: Sen. Jon Tester hawks a T-shirt To develop palate, stick with one wine Rush’s right to despicable speech A dream realized US agriculture: Diverse and vibrant In difficult financial times, we need a farm bill that’s balanced Continued growth for agriculture industry critical for creating jobs Congress should strengthen US role as world leader in providing food aid to famine victims