The Hill Articles: May 3, 2012

GOP nominee for Giffords’s seat reverses course on entitlements Obama, Romney brace for April jobs report; slow growth expected Obama administration hits back on notion that it abandoned Chen in China White House: Syria cease-fire plan ‘has not been succeeding’ OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Healthcare politics get messy Rick Santorum backs Bruning in Nebraska OVERNIGHT MONEY: Economy added jobs last month, but how many is anyone’s guess OVERNIGHT TECH: Facebook sets stock at $28 to $35 per share Perry: ‘God help us’ if Romney loses Dem tax-writer targets GOP on income inequality US drones continue to hammer al Qaeda targets in Yemen Gingrich still believes Romney ‘said things at times that weren’t true’ Poll: Obama leads Romney in Virginia Chinese dissident Chen becomes political headache for Obama TSA touts one millionth ‘PreCheck’ participant House Republicans urge housing regulator to remain steadfast on principal reductions Official: No taxpayer funds went to neuter Tenn. dogs OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Fracking, Keystone in the spotlight DAY’S END ROUNDUP Sen. Rand Paul pushes online petition to ‘end the TSA’ Britain’s Defense Ministry admits it’s been hacked Australia delays JSF purchases by two years McCain splits with Huckabee in Arkansas House endorsement GOP voters want Santorum, Rubio for VP Menendez challenger alleges conflict of interest in MF Global hearings Blind Chinese dissident calls Congress, wants meeting with Secretary Clinton Feingold rips Pelosi for willingness to consider entitlement cuts Ted Turner: Romney ‘a real gentleman,’ would ‘probably make a good president’ Carney: Human rights in China are a ‘priority’ for Obama Emails show EPA frustration over White House letter to Boehner Bachmann gives Romney her endorsement State, local groups press Congress to pass flexible education reform bill Karzai: US bowed to many Afghan demands in strategic partnership deal Washington veterans from both parties want revenue increase in tax deal Time is running short to add countries to Asia-Pacific trade talks Concerns mount over Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles Media accountability Groups alarmed that Verizon is ending standalone DSL Poll: Romney leads Obama in Arizona Sandra Day O’Connor backs online game to teach kids about government Automakers agree on ‘single-port’ charging system for electric cars Romney: US Embassy ‘failed’ to ensure Chen’s safety In Virginia, Bachmann endorses Romney Rep. Smith says Obama administration failed to connect him in phone call with Chinese activist Chen Democrats should follow Sen. Conrad’s lead Romney: ‘A day of shame’ for Obama if Chen reports are true House Republicans pressure Cordray for details on consumer bureau budget The ban on torture is absolute GOP lawmaker wants independent counsel to take over MF Global probe House to start floor work on 2013 spending with Commerce, Justice, Science bill Stop short-changing our most gifted children White House defends handling of Chinese activist seeking asylum Broadcasters drop suit to block ‘white space’ devices US to brief Taiwan on upcoming Chinese military talks Ann Romney discusses her struggle with cancer, says it ‘opened my heart up’ GOP: Health law funds could go to neuter pets Senate postal reform falls short Republicans rip Obama’s handling of Chinese activist Chen Obama’s below-the-radar push builds support for healthcare reform law Romney turns focus to energy in Virginia Sen. Kirk leaving rehab facility three months after suffering stroke Gov. Jindal becomes latest target of VP speculation Business groups push back against Dem student loan proposal Markey ‘deeply concerned’ about police tracking of mobile phones DNC ad keeps pressure on Romney with female voters Service sector expands at a slower pace in April Increasing our national security with new technology McDonnell: Campaign events no ‘audition,’ but would consider VP spot Lefty groups fear White House reg reform plan will slash green protections AT&T CEO blames FCC for price hikes Advertisers pledge not to support ‘rogue’ pirate sites A story from Ghana: How Congress’ help saves children’s lives US boosts military support to Philippines Why National Ocean Policy is flawed Drone strikes in Pakistan could continue under US-Afghan agreement Dem lawmakers raise concerns over US, Afghan security deal Obama ‘Julia’ web tool courting women draws GOP scorn on Twitter Rep. Issa: DOJ has ‘closed up’ in Fast and Furious investigation GSA official at center of scandal shouldn’t collect pay Job cuts increase but remain relatively flat Berkley’s first ad in Nevada touts work for veterans Poll: US voters support funding UN health efforts Ron Paul: Romney would be ‘marginally’ better than Obama, not ‘100 percent different’ Republican lobbyist to lead atheist group FAA warns passenger after bird strike video Facebook joins Global Network Initiative as an observer Cantor, Hoyer close to Ex-Im Bank deal Official: US-Russia missile defense talks ‘close to a dead end’ Outwitted by China Rep. Issa circulates contempt resolution against Attorney General Eric Holder GOP lawmaker calls emergency Thursday hearing on Chen Scott Brown’s sexist slime against Elizabeth Warren Guardians of the Constitution Bin Laden letters made public online Clinton raises ‘importance of human rights’ during US-China meeting Obama administration plays defense on handling of Chinese activist’s case Bill Clinton: Hillary ‘never said a word to me’ about bin Laden raid Medical debt collector to answer questions on Capitol Hill Romney spokesman says Republican criticism of gay ex-staffer ‘disappointing’ GOP lawmaker calls Senate postal bill a ‘$33 billion bailout’ Verizon fires back at critics of deal Romney ad hits Obama for ‘broken promises’ on energy policy RNC might block entire Nevada delegation over Ron Paul delegate mischief Unemployment aid claims take steep drop ‘Bird flu’ research that feds deemed a national security risk is published Romney on new Obama 2012 slogan: ‘Forward, what, over the cliff?’ Poll finds Romney surging past Obama in Florida, catching up in Ohio News bites: High court’s decision will impact Medicare, and more News bites: Uncomfortable Deal on Chinese activist unravels RNC looks to bracket Obama reelection kickoff with ‘hype and blame’ messaging Richard Haass: Still more questions than answers in Afghanistan Iraqi opposition hires DC shop to make PM’s power grab an election-year issue Thursday’s global agenda: The US goes to China News Bites: File-sharing pirates, ye be warned News bites: Gas producers reduce output amid supply glut With GOP nomination assured, Mitt Romney shifts to the center State party wins by Ron Paul backers could hurt Romney in general election MORNING READ GOP strategy seeks to portray President Obama as nation’s divider-in-chief ‘Desert One’ shadow hung over White House during bin Laden raid Numerous industries feel benefits of Ohio’s resources Fracking innovations enhancing energy independence Balancing on a tight resource rope Natural gas: game changer for American manufacturing Energy production: the key to prosperity Rep. Nunes and wife welcome baby girl