The Hill Articles: April 2, 2013

Top GOP House recruit files for 2014 rematch in California Former Obama aide defies Democrats to challenge Rep. Honda in Calif Ideology, extremism not clear-cut Start GOP makeover with ‘new’ Caretaker industry pushes back as wage rules review nears end Tea Party group launching ads for GOP candidate could snarl Mass. Senate race Justin Timberlake, Queen Latifah to perform at White House Bottom Line Bravo wants Obama to focus on jobs Tobacco industry braces for expanded oversight of products Childhood tales help cement legend of three powerful brothers Weyants World: April 3, 2013 NRA’s Hutchinson endorses expanded background checks Petraeus, Guantánamo GOP Senate chances good Egyptian president, US Embassy in Twitter spat over ‘Daily Show’ video Party’s doomed path SEC gives OK for companies to publish announcements on Facebook, Twitter Kerry: US will not submit to ‘irrational or reckless provocation’ by North Korea Poll: Obama more popular than Jindal in Louisiana DAY’S END ROUNDUP Kirk lands at home with a Dallas law firm House Dem proposes new legislation to cut lawmaker pay Alexandra Pelosi: Mom Nancy would never let me film her McCain calls for US military expansion in Mali European countries crack down on Google over privacy Groups sue EPA for top officials’ instant-message records Long-distance bus lobby defends driver scheduling, pay Selling cybersecurity standards to those who need them the most Financial regulator moves to law firm Real possibilities for gun law reform – but devil is in the details Leahy to Rubio: Need is ‘urgent’ to pass immigration reform US warns against travel to Lebanon Boehner mourns loss of ‘dedicated’ staffer Hagel to take pay cut in solidarity with DOD furloughed workers Confirmation hearing set for top healthcare nominee Study: ‘Fiscal cliff’ deal made tax code slightly more progressive Hagel still reviewing sexual assault case Corker: Fannie profits no excuse to slow-walk housing reform GOP lawmaker defends TSA policy allowing knives on planes Health groups say Medicare letter misrepresented views Health law has little impact on premiums in first rate filing UN approval of arms trade treaty sets up Obama, Senate showdown Carney: White House ‘absolutely’ didn’t deceive over impact of sequester Cameras in the courtroom would benefit court and public Customs delays furlough of border agents NRA task force recommends armed staff in every school Republicans and Democrats trying to legislate together Bill would ease debt burden on students GOP Rep. Cassidy to challenge Landrieu in Louisiana Senate race FTC contest spurs new technologies to fight robocalling Michelle Obama ‘tripping out’ at having Harrison Ford in the White House ACLU, FreedomWorks officials oppose House Judiciary’s draft cyber bill Chamber offers tax reform wish list White House: Latest N. Korean threats ‘not the path’ to resolving conflicts Cruz: Obama pushing path to citizenship as ‘poison pill’ to kill immigration reform Sanford in for a bumpy road in House race Pakistan pulls out of Taliban peace talks Poll: Two-thirds back Keystone pipeline, belief in global warming trends upward Obama to visit Connecticut in gun push Sequester cuts and self-determination GOP lawmaker: Exxon Mobil has pledged to fully clean up Arkansas oil spill Kirk becomes second Republican senator to support gay marriage Poll: Markey expands lead in Massachusetts Senate primary Liquefied natural gas: Transforming US into global energy hub Manchin offers his condolences to family of MTV ‘Buckwild’ star Gandee Perez has the track record to lead Labor Department Ben Carson blasts ‘vicious,’ white liberal critics as ‘the most racist out there’ Fannie Mae posts record profit, repays taxpayers $11.6 billion Pension plan reporting requirements loosened McConnell campaign knocks Democratic recruiting efforts in new video Senate vetting for Energy pick Moniz to launch with bipartisan endorsement The Republican Party is not dead Stephen Colbert to host additional fundraisers for sister’s House bid Parents’ group fights FCC bid to loosen indecency rules WATCH LIVE: First lady hosts workshop on Jackie Robinson biopic ‘42’ Trump pulls $5M lawsuit against comedian Bill Maher Credit card delinquencies drop to lowest level since 1994 A choice of two futures Obama launches effort to map the human brain Sen. Carper voices support for gay marriage Daughter of former Florida Gov launches bid against Rep Southerland US pushes arms trade treaty opposed by gun lobby for UN vote Cantor bill would ax public campaign funding, use money for research Groundwork being laid to delay immigration reform MassGOP says Markey violating campaign rules in House ethics complaint Two Dems jump in against Rep. John Kline Schapiro lands at private consulting firm Supreme Court denies airline lawsuit over DOT advertising rules Former Obama official will challenge Rep. Mike Honda News bites: Weight watchers Rep. Gary Miller gets top-tier challenger in California Former Interior official to lead major scientific journal News bites: Like hotcakes News bites: SHOP delayed Donor: Menendez and I are ‘like brothers,’ denies ethics charges News Bites: High court upholds several federal rules Citizens United PAC gives over $100K to 18 incumbents News bites: Apple CEO apologizes for warranty policy in China Cruz to give South Carolina speech Senate Majority PAC staffing up Akin doubled staff salaries during final months in office Obama to announce new research initiative to map the human brain Sen. Vitter: Carbon tax Obama’s ‘ultimate goal’ NASA climate scientist James Hansen, outspoken advocate, to leave government News bites: Euro industry flocks to US gas, the latest on Exxon’s spill cleanup Five reasons why Colbert Busch could beat Mark Sanford Sequester axe falls in Washington — but not on lawmaker salaries MORNING READ