The Hill Articles: August 6, 2013

Cotton launches Arkansas Senate bid Romney warns Republicans against government shutdown over ObamaCare Report: US files first criminal charges in Benghazi attack Weiner sexting partner pens ‘guide to seducing a politician’ White House holds privacy meeting Lawmakers warn furlough cuts only temporary fix Obama’s housing plan would streamline mortgage regulations Rodney Alexander to retire from House Housing experts, lawmakers express support for Obama housing plan Senators build ‘grassroots army’ to pressure McConnell on ObamaCare Rep. Dingell to Obama: Clean Air Act isn’t right for greenhouse gas rules DAY’S END ROUNDUP Vitter demands ‘light’ on how abortion providers use federal funding Report: Dem. Rep. arrested at protest over hospital closure Contractors push back on hiring rules for vets, people with disabilities Arizona crowd sings ‘Happy Birthday’ to Obama Carney ‘surprised’ by Washington Post sale Report: Iowa Rep. King headed to South Carolina Priebus: We will cut networks out Billionaire Keystone foe to run ad during Obama’s Leno visit It won’t be a sleepy August Report: Military judge reduces jail time for Manning Obama gets warm welcome from Arizona Gov. Brewer Obama housing plan: Rehab vacant lots; wind down Fannie and Freddie Immigration reform would boost value of homes, Obama tells Phoenix crowd Obama’s Syria policy: Difficult questions, necessary answers SEC files suit against Bank of America over mortgage securities Feds settle fake fur charges with Neiman Marcus, other retailers Members call on Qatar to cut ties with Hamas Carney: Obama ‘obviously’ wishes Bush well after heart surgery American dreams on summer break Mark Kelly: Pa. shooting bears ‘heartbreaking similarity’ to Tucson shooting White House publishes preliminary list of cybersecurity incentives Gov. O’Malley to campaign with Cory Booker State Dept.: US-Russia going ahead with talks, will discuss Snowden WebMD launches ObamaCare guide Lindsey Graham gets third GOP primary challenger Cruz calls for a ‘grassroots army’ to stop ObamaCare The DOJ safety scam NOAA: 2012 among 10 hottest years Michelle Obama credits Let’s Move with declining childhood obesity rates Pentagon finds savings, cuts civilian furloughs to 6 days Senior Republican: US could miss export window for natural gas Congresswoman holding contest to win signed cowboy hat Obama’s former regs czar backs Larry Summers for Fed chairmanship US Consulate in Italy evacuated after bomb alert false alarm Taliban leader seeks ‘inclusive’ government in postwar Afghanistan Camp, Issa press White House to cooperate in IRS investigation Don’t let the third-party cookie crumble Bush receives stent for blocked artery McCain, Graham in Cairo press Egypt’s military to release political prisoners Almost eight months late, EPA sets 2013 biofuel blend requirement Senators demand DOD ends contract with ‘corrupt’ Russian arms firm US launches new round of drone strikes against al Qaeda in Yemen Federal health IT chief steps down Amid steroid sanctions, Obama says athletes’ duty is to be role models Bill Clinton declines comment on Weiner, NY mayoral race Home prices continue upward march Pritzker to meet with music executives in Nashville Iran’s new president ready for ‘serious and substantive’ nuclear talks with US GOP 2016 hopefuls get familiar with Iowa, New Hampshire voters Classing worker centers like unions is wrongheaded Transport advocates: Traffic complaint app nears 10,000 downloads Tax Foundation charts benefits in ending Earned Income Tax Credit CBS blackout prompts calls for regulatory changes ‘I am the shooter,’ declares defendant at start of Fort Hood trial Dems want climate review of natural gas exports After DOMA ruling, Dem proposes Social Security benefits to LGBT couples Ex-Obama chief of staff uses bin Laden Situation Room photo in campaign More military base closure? Bill Clinton dishes on life as a vegan Nuke regulator moves to shore up safety, security Late-night smash: Obama’s 52nd birthday Wednesday’s meeting announcements: Trade commission examines steel rods Nine Republicans, two Democrats running to replace Rep. Bonner GOP lawmaker backs birther probe in hopes of undoing Obama laws WebMD launches online ObamaCare guide Coburn: ‘Judicial conferences are alive and well’ amid furloughs Immigration reform: Conventional wisdom versus reality Vulnerable Dem Pryor hits GOP opponent quick with first ad New regs for Wednesday: Easing truckers’ reporting requirements Iowa conservative group ready to step in if straw poll scrapped Sen. Rockefeller to Obama: Speed up coal mine safety, health regs Bush undergoes heart surgery Romney re-emerges for fundraiser Poll: Nunn competitive against GOP field in Georgia Senate race Federal court says Shell Arctic oil spill plan legal Trade deficit shrinks Rep. Peter King: Obama ‘schizophrenic’ on al Qaeda News bites: Personal health accounts Seal of green or greed? News bites: Comcast working on anti-piracy plan Arizona GOP plans four-hour field hearing on ‘out of control’ IRS, EPA Woodward: ‘This isn’t Murdoch buying the Wall Street Journal’ HUD chief: Obama housing plan will expand ‘strong recovery’ News bites: Fukushima-related emergency, Chinese firm eyes oil assets, and more News bites: Plug the hole FEC commissioner: New emails could tie agency to IRS targeting News bites: Obama to lay out plan to replace Fannie, Freddie Trump: If I were president, US would be in ‘a lot better shape’ EMILY’s List rolls out first endorsements for 2014 election cycle US orders evacuation of Yemen embassy MORNING READ GOP tries to damage Hillary Clinton ahead of expected 2016 RNC chief: NBC, CNN ‘promoting’ Dems Obama takes control of empty stage to sell economic plan to the nation Obama to unveil housing proposals in Phoenix speech