The Hill Articles: May 15, 2012

Online sales tax receives lobbying push from states Jacqueline Emerson Rehoboth bound for summer vacation Saving up for that special vacation Caring for cats, dogs when you’re away Where D.C. goes on vacation LivingSocial offers novel, low-cost escapes House passes bill creating federal ‘blue alert’ system Report urges support for UN agencies struggling with Mali’s worst human rights crisis in 50 years Hillary Clinton still evolving Showdown, part 27 OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Green energy CEOs to face loan questions OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Anti-war lawmakers push for accelerated Afghan pullout OVERNIGHT TECH: Senators postpone cybersecurity meeting Bipartisan group of lawmakers press for quick farm bill consideration House hits Iran, North Korea in late Tuesday debate OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Senate to vote on Ryan Medicare plan Renditioned Libyan rebel to form political party Dems can hold Senate Reid, Coburn suggest agreement on moving flood insurance extension bill forward Romney to win undecideds Catholic bishops threaten lawsuit over administration’s birth control mandate LaHood, lawmakers react to audit of DC Metro expansion to Dulles airport Obama campaign focuses on women’s health in latest Web video Weyants World: May 16, 2012 Obama administration threatens veto over Defense bill OVERNIGHT CAMPAIGN: Nebraska’s primary night Officer fired for ties to biker gang sues Capitol Police for discrimination OVERNIGHT MONEY: Senate devotes a day to the federal budget Sen. Grassley wants answers on Google execs’ air fleet leasing at NASA field Boxer: Highway talks past ‘organizational stage’; meeting with Mica Thursday Tea Party, GOP establishment throw down over fiscal policy in Twitter fight Club for Growth issues Tea Party purity scorecard on freshmen Senate rejects energy amendment to Ex-Im bill Senate approves Export-Import Bank in 78-20 vote Ethics group calls on GOP leadership to demand Rep. Buchanan’s resignation House GOP: FCC mishandled review of LightSquared, costing investors ‘billions’ DAY’S END ROUNDUP All amendments to Ex-Im bill fail Romney wonders if Obama has ‘personal beef’ with the Clintons Obama has two accounts with JPMorgan Labor board suspends rule on union elections FCC bureau chief has questions for Verizon Sen. Hutchison ‘enthusiastically’ endorses Romney, makes the case for women voters Boehner lays out fiscal plan, knocks Obama for lack of courage US expected to provide more funds for Israel’s Iron Dome missile system Obama proposals added to past presidents’ biographies on White House website Senate Democrats urge more stringent tax rules for Chinese solar firms Boxer: Highway deal will include measure to funnel oil-spill penalty money to Gulf Reid slams Boehner’s debt speech Romney looks to define economic debate with anti-debt plea in Iowa Poll: Obama up big in swing-state New Hampshire Patent wars abuse the system Reid to JPMorgan: Take your business to Vegas Report: UN observers attacked in Syria Lawmaker calls for peace talks between deceased Arafat, comatose Sharon Mystery in aisle 3! Rubio’s official stationery winds up in discount store Retail sales made small increase in April John Boehner lays out fiscal plan, knocks Obama for lack of courage Wyden: ‘Very concerned’ about privacy impact of White House-backed cyber bill John Edwards walks, disgraced Outdated form letter from Rep. Pitts calls for deceased Arafat, comatose Sharon to negotiate Senate sets up six hours of debate, votes on GOP budget resolutions Wednesday SNOPA addresses online privacy concerns Player of the week: Rep. Sandy Adams (R-Fla.) Rating change for ‘Bully’ wasn’t uncommon move Lawmakers spar over UN funding at China human-rights hearing Why does Rep. Mike Turner want nuke lab? Wyden, eyeing chairmanship, pledges review of green-energy programs Chief of Protocol
 dishes out advice 
on traveling in style Inhofe distances himself from aide’s email to oil lobbyists Animal health and human health are inextricably linked Sanders bill aims to lower HIV drug costs Senior Dems clash over barring detention of accused terrorists Genachowski to push wireless devices for medical use House GOP slows work on bills altering Dodd-Frank reforms Geithner warns Boehner not to play with next deal to increase the debt ceiling Rep. Hoyer: Recent deals with Cantor are no sign of cooperation to come Social media ad spending in 2012 expected to more than double compared to 2008 Senate cuts discretionary funds for veterans affairs, military construction House to approve short-term federal flood insurance extension this week TSA defends its handling of security breaches Paul campaign: Endorsement of Romney not ‘likely,’ discussion ‘premature’ Study: Medicare quality ratings may be ‘counterproductive’ French president’s plane hit by lightning on way to Germany Boehner: House will link tax reform, Bush cuts Obama: Law officers carry ‘burdens so the rest of us don’t have to’ George W. Bush: ‘I’m for Mitt Romney’ Second poll shows Fischer in lead in Nebraska’s GOP Senate primary Court upholds ruling for disclosure of secret donors Warren pivots back to Wall Street reform in new radio ad Hoyer: Boehner debt-limit gambit would ‘undermine’ confidence in US Speaker Boehner sets stage for another showdown on the debt ceiling Lawmaker forces official to meet with wife of American imprisoned in Vietnam during hearing DNC head: ‘Awesome’ that many voters see pro-gay marriage stance as political winner Tisei up 7 on Rep. Tierney in GOP poll We need a credible military option to counter Iran Obama administration announces plan to fight Alzheimer’s Groups want White House to accelerate spectrum release Romney: ‘A prairie fire of debt is sweeping across our nation’ Former Dem senator: Obama will eventually green-light Keystone Pakistan gets invite to NATO summit after signs of progress on Afghanistan supply routes Ron Paul reassures supporters he’s ‘not ending his campaign’ McConnell says agreement on Ex-Im amendments shows how things get done in the Senate Former security officials: Plan to roll back detainee laws ‘rewarding terrorists’ Dem calls GOP freshman’s support for Planned Parenthood ‘opportunism’ Oil lobby presents energy policy wish-list to GOP, Democrats Jay-Z backs Obama on gay-marriage support: ‘It’s the right thing to do’ Reid optimistic Senate will turn down GOP amendments to limit Ex-Im bank Obama campaign manager claims bias in gay-marriage poll GOP senator: Falling pump prices ‘one less arrow’ against Obama Homebuilders’ confidence hits highest level in five years Snowe laments gridlock, says Senate ‘totally locked down’ Pawlenty: ‘Take my name off’ the list of VP candidates Huckabee, Santorum make last-minute push for Bruning in Nebraska ‘Revolution’ in the air: Romney, Obama and ‘The Hunger Games’ Citizens United spends $100,000 to back Republican for Giffords seat Geithner: JPMorgan loss shows need for financial reform Study: More than half of computer users pirate software Webb, Lee look to curb presidential authority to commit troops New Romney Web video highlights economic hardship Obama talks Kardashians, Avengers, ’50 Shades of Grey’ Government, fix God’s mistakes News bites: Facebook hikes stock price Study: Insurers to lose $1 trillion if health law struck down News bites: Dead News bites: On oil workers and driving Dem super-PAC ad attacks Romney’s Bain years MORNING READ Tuesday: Senate looks to finish Ex-Im Bank bill Obama talks Kardashians, Avengers, ’50 Shades of Grey’ Sen. Durbin: JPMorgan ‘gambling with taxpayer insured money’ News bites: Ducks in a row Poll: Voters optimistic economy will improve News bites: More employers offering domestic partner benefits, and more Tuesday’s global agenda: Columbia trade deal takes off Harry Reid puts nuclear option in back pocket Voting on budget will provide 2012 ammo Lobbyists brace for regulations fight over JPMorgan $2 billion bungled trade Palin-backed candidate Deb Fischer surging in Nebraska Senate primary Labor chief faces challenges as advocate for federal workers Obama attack ad steals Gingrich tactic and puts spotlight on Bain Capital Law firm’s collapse leaves lobbying clients up for grabs Bottom Line