The Hill Articles: February 20, 2013

Obama goes local in sequester fight Report: Sen. Graham puts drone death toll at 4,700 Pharmacists say drug disposal rule should include controlled substances Obama leans toward EPA air regs chief as next agency leader Report: Boeing near identifying 787 ‘Dreamliner’ battery fix Palestinian negotiator to meet with Kerry on Thursday Cities group worried about funding in Obama infrastructure plan White House to combat hackers with diplomacy Florida governor backs Medicaid expansion under ‘ObamaCare’ DAY’S END ROUNDUP Sestak hints at desire to serve again in public office Hagel camp: No need to make personal archives public ahead of schedule Sandra Fluke urges comments favoring birth control rule Upton says he sees no way around sequester Obama urged to pursue Cuba thaw AAA reports largest increase in gasoline prices in three years White House brushes off North Korea ‘propaganda’ video Passengers sue Carnival for disabled cruise ship Thune, Grassley against Fisker sale to Chinese company Obama to attend Rosa Parks statue unveiling at Capitol Conservative group: Rubio, 18 House Republicans were perfect Democrats demand Boehner call the House back to deal with sequester Ashley Judd meets with DSCC and Kentucky donors on potential Senate bid Feds shut down telemarketing scam Rep. Shuster: Obama’s $50B infrastructure proposal falls short Rubio, Netanyahu poke fun at water bottle gaffe House to launch nationwide contest encouraging students to develop mobile ‘apps’ Tire baron sparks diplomatic row with comments about French work ethic Pentagon informs Congress of plans to furlough 800K civilian workers Support growing for US-EU trade deal Gore talks climate on ‘Jeopardy!’ FCC votes to ease Wi-Fi congestion Michelle Obama sports bangs in new official portrait Federal Reserve grappling with when to end stimulus program DSCC raises $4.2 million in January White House defends Biden’s call to arms US and partners to offer Iran new deal to avert nuclear crisis Report: Medicare overpays on meds by hundreds of millions Obama to deliver commencement speech at Ohio State University Schumer calls on Russia to process pending US adoptions Housing starts decline but permits hit four-year high Romney set to reemerge at CPAC Former Rep. Hochul joins M&T Bank Report: Obama should loosen Cuba embargo by executive fiat New DOD intelligence agency goes operational RNC raises $6.9M in January EPA sets renewable fuel standards, tackles fraud Kerry comes out swinging on climate change Minnesota Dems push Oberstar for secretary of Transportation Ex-Sen. Snowe joins think tank Presidential debate commission co-chair says picking Candy Crowley a ‘mistake’ GOP votes for gay marriage not a career-ender Renewables constitute all new US electricity capacity added in January Kerry rips politicians for exaggerating defense spending Schweitzer touts poll showing him leading Baucus for Senate GOP bill would require all bills to be written clearly Medicare patients choosing low-cost drug plans, analysis finds New healthcare rule expands benefits for substance abuse, mental disorders Ted Cruz: Marco Rubio backlash motivated by race Kerry slams critics of foreign aid in first major speech as secretary Former senator reveals secret son Poll: Clinton tops Christie for president in New Jersey NRA ads hit vulnerable Democratic senators GOP lawmakers back suit against birth-control mandate Carnival’s crisis mismanagement — Déjà vu all over again Opponents of new combat medal file petition with White House Former Rep. Dreier tapped to lead commission on trade Jackson Jr. pleads guilty to misusing campaign funds Health accounts remain popular despite health law’s restrictions Poll: Hagel better known, less liked Sen. Wyden wants nuclear cleanup commitment from next Energy secretary Fearmongering and loathing on the sequester Confirmation fight hurts Hagel’s favorability Michelle Obama to celebrate Let’s Move! with jam-packed tour Senate Democrats want more data on hate crimes against Arab Americans Obama administration looks to protect trade secrets from hackers Obama under pressure to resume talks on arms treaty that is opposed by NRA WATCH LIVE: Vice president hosts Medal of Valor ceremony Report: Japanese leader to press Obama on gas exports Report: Universal theme park will quit offering healthcare to part-time workers Wednesday’s global agenda: Kerry touts foreign aid Sen. Cruz defends combative style Oklahoma AG backs Hobby Lobby in contraception lawsuit Anti-AIDS program must build on successes, says report Obama renews call for $50B in new spending on roads, bridges Freshman lawmaker fears Boehner will cave on taxes once sequester hits Conan O’Brien to host White House press dinner for second time News bites: China says US hacking report lacks ‘technical proof’ News bites: More money, more projects McCain defends immigration reform at heated town hall Poll: Baucus vulnerable in both primary and general election Gingrich: Karl Rove’s new super-PAC ‘a terrible idea’ that hurts Republicans Report: Goodwin won’t run for W.Va. Senate News bites: Half as costly News bites: Blame game Poll: Markey’s lead in Mass. Senate primary narrows slightly News bites: Judge cuts BP’s max spill fine, Wyden plans Hanford hearing, and more Poll: War on terror tops list of foreign priorities News bites: FBI delves into Heinz trades Local TV interviews latest weapon for Obama on sequester Biden to host Medal of Valor ceremony amid sequestration, gun control battles MORNING READ Unions hope US-EU trade talks can be lever to change labor laws Road to Oscar win passes through DC Shutdown isn’t fight GOP wants Administration revives wage and overtime fight for home-care workers A clinically meaningful approach to evaluating repeat medical imaging On the sequester, White House, Republicans play political chicken Lobbying World Reg Watch: DOJ begins review of gun safety Bottom Line Weyant’s World: February 20, 2013 Small businesses do support closing corporate loopholes C-SPAN launches new 35-part series to tell the stories of the presidents’ wives Sen. Johanns’s retirement could grow Republican Party’s internal conflict Avoiding sequester possible GOP needs younger candidates US needs to end silence on drones GOP makes its stand