The Hill Articles: February 21, 2013

FCC’s Pai looks to revise commission’s internal rules USAID distributing ‘basic hygiene supplies’ to displaced Syrians N. Korea to dominate Obama’s talks with Japanese leader Twitter adopts email security protocol to crack down on hacker attacks DOJ mulls revised beer company merger, puts brakes on antitrust lawsuit Cruise industry defends safety record in wake of disabled ship NRSC trails DSCC by $2.7 million in January fundraising tally Democratic lawmakers plan to introduce sex-education legislation White House: Window for talks with Iran ‘will not remain open indefinitely’ Front-runner to lead EPA vows more action on climate change DAY’S END ROUNDUP Carter: Obama thanked grandson for ’47 percent’ video Inhofe pushes against proceeding to final up-or-down vote on Hagel Dems, experts warn of economic and social fallout of sequester Group to drop Laura Bush from pro-gay marriage ad after complaint GOP sources: Gingrey will run for Senate Obama sends message to ‘Kid President’ about Easter Egg Roll GOP lawmaker hoping Obama’s Newport News speech leads to sequester solution Report: Jeb Bush told Fla. GOP to reject Medicaid expansion Groups flock to White House to talk ‘fracking’ rules Biden says lawmakers need to ‘show some courage’ on gun control Obama reaches out to Boehner, McConnell as sequester cuts loom USDA bars cash refunds for food stamp purchases Jesuit research group run by lawmaker’s brother to close Consumer bureau looking for ways to ease student loan struggles GOP senators in flap over prairie chicken as endangered species Pro-Obama group pushes president’s gun control agenda USAID chief becomes highest-ranking US official to visit Somalia in two decades Carney mocks ‘Friends of Hamas’ in affirming support for Hagel Van Hollen: ‘We wish’ House Republicans would hold sequester hearing Industry groups appeal high-ethanol fuel case to Supreme Court Sanford loses key endorsements in SC NATO walking back troop cuts to Afghan forces NRA brings in $1.1 million in January UN rejects Haitian compensation claims for cholera epidemic blamed on UN peacekeepers Two Democrats file to run for Rep. Markey’s seat Dem lawmakers: Tax guns to buy guns TSA apologizes for treatment of wheelchair-bound child Former top Asia diplomat joins US-China student exchange initiative Report: Iran bolsters nuclear facilities ahead of UN negotiations Khojaly Massacre deserves recognition Insurers: Cuts to Medicare Advantage will hit poor, minorities House Judiciary chairman opposes pathway to citizenship Business and labor make breakthrough in immigration talks Music industry: Google not doing enough to hide pirate sites HHS: Most states on track with health law’s technical demands Call Congress back Congressman starts members-only meditation session Senior House Republican calls on Obama to replace ‘accommodating’ Interior watchdog Schumer: ‘Flawed Medicare law’ forces seniors to overpay for rehab Dem lawmakers warn Japan against whitewashing ‘sexual slavery’ in WWII LaHood touts visit to 50th US state Cantor: Obama offering ‘false choices’ Border patrol agents to be furloughed for up to 14 days, union says Rand Paul, Mick Mulvaney return office budgets to Treasury Sen. Warren soliciting funds for leadership PAC Top oil lobbyist: New climate bill will never reach Senate floor 15 GOP senators tell Obama to withdraw Hagel nomination Laura Bush wants to be removed from pro-gay marriage ad Republican demands answers on Bernanke’s exit strategy Reports: Gen. Breedlove likely Obama pick for NATO post Think tank: Obama’s warning about ‘crumbling roads’ overblown GOP warns USDA against furloughing meat inspectors to deal with sequester Gun manufacturers are scapegoats Bring back Mark Sanford US consuming less fast food, says CDC Petition to unlock cellphones passes mark for White House response State Department confirms Kerry to meet with Lavrov next week FAA seeks comment on Dreamliner grounding — one month later Michelle Obama gets moving with Big Bird Rep. Markey compares campaign finance ruling to Dred Scott decision on slavery Requests for first-time jobless benefits rise by 20,000 Thursday’s global agenda: Kerry seeks to deepen ties with India Poll: One-third say action on climate ‘essential’ this year Harry Reid on running again in 2016: ‘Sure, why not?’ Poll: Half say Republicans would take blame for sequester GOP Sen. Shelby says he will vote to confirm Hagel for Defense DSCC names political director for 2014 cycle GOP lawmaker: Obama ‘capable of leisure,’ but not dealing with sequester News bites: Slap suspect News bites: Sony announces PlayStation 4 News bites: Obama has wide range of executive options on climate change DCCC places sequestration blame on Republicans with new ads Poll: Menendez sees sharp drop in approval rating amid ethics allegations News bites: Pollution News bites: Resolute News bites: What you see might not be what you get with seafood Sen. Cruz: Obama trying to ‘scuttle’ immigration reform Poll: Spending habits changed by payroll tax cut end Sen. Graham says judicial oversight of drone strikes is ‘crazy to me’ Obama: Leaks ‘did not jeopardize’ immigration reform Poll: Obama approval rating at 3-year high In first 2014 attack, congressional fund targets Democrats on Medicare McConnell challenger faces questions on Tea Party credentials More than half of Congress has never debated immigration reform Congress vulnerable to cyberattacks MORNING READ Obama: Tiger Woods ‘plays a different game than I do’ Obama: Immigration plan leak ‘did not jeopardize’ reform Grassley: Lew needs to provide more details