The Hill Articles: May 24, 2013

Gallup: Fewer economic conservatives in U.S. Dems propose government-wide working group to reduce poverty Drug company pleads guilty to felony kickback scheme, pays $33.5M Marco Rubio: Unwavering leadership needed on immigration Puerto Rico rejects its present colonial status; wants statehood NASA embarks on mission to lasso asteroid Rep. Markey releases tax returns Biden gives clues in ‘Jeopardy!’ appearance DAY’S END ROUNDUP Press must stand firm against abridgment DOT gives $1M to Washington bridge collapse repair Justice asked judge to keep Fox reporter in the dark over tracked email Menendez: Immigration bill doesn’t have enough votes to pass Senate Report: Connie Mack, Mary Bono Mack announce divorce Subcommittee on Constitution considers unconstitutional abortion ban Group: State Department inspector general is probing Keystone pipeline review AIDS in Middle East and North Africa: The cost of inaction Trade sanctions loom after U.S. updates meat rules Cardin introduces a bill aimed at ending racial profiling by police Some medical device manufacturers not paying their share of health reform Hillary Clinton memoir gets release date White House: Drone strikes being subject to ‘highest possible standard’ Wireless communications must be improved in America Baca touts endorsements from 30 House Dems Advocates call for increased funding after Washington bridge collapse McCain, Graham defend Obama State. Dept. nominee linked to Benghazi Kerry’s moment at the African Summit Senators jump onboard toxic chemical bill First lady praises Kerry Washington during school visit Report: Taliban continues offensive inside Kabul First lady’s summer plans: Bike riding Dems press airlines to seat families together on flights Kaitlyn’s Law is about broken promises Michelle Nunn actively preparing for Senate campaign in Georgia Congress, Pentagon lack consensus on sequestration fix Lawmaker calls for FAA office audit Republicans accuse Obama administration of ‘regulatory hide and seek’ Key Republicans press Obama to meet border enforcement union Lawmakers demand UN remove Iran from leadership of disarmament talks Congress must move carefully in regulating corporate cybersecurity Gillibrand bill would prohibit discrimination against same-sex couples adopting University names leadership institute after Clinton Poll: Nearly four in 10 say sequester hurt them personally GOP widens Sebelius probe Ex-Idol star Josh Gracin loves politics – but is forbidden from discussing it Sen. Kaine doesn’t expect White House veto of Atlantic offshore drilling bill 38 Hawaiian species declared endangered after court case Schumer warns Sprint deal could open door to Chinese hackers Dems accuse GOP of ‘making up scandals out of thin air’ Renewable fuels: where we should be Obama taps Senate staff for SEC Delisted Iranian terror group MEK registers to lobby Paul offers bill to protect privacy of electronic communications Obama: Sexual assaults ‘threaten the trust’ in US military Bloomberg anti-gun group launches $350K ad buy against Sen. Mark Pryor Obama fails to return Marine’s salute New obesity drug could hit US market in 2014 Obama warns sexual assaults threaten to weaken military Former Afghanistan commander named special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian peace process Smart spending for national security Tea Party will destroy GOP in 2014, as Palin destroyed McCain in 2008 Perlmutter takes ribbing after turning 60 Sen. Murphy loses 6 pounds on food stamp challenge Republicans again seek debt clock on House floor Tuesday’s meeting announcements: Nuclear reactor safeguards Roger Ailes: Obama administration efforts to intimidate Fox will fail House panel to share framework for Medicare payment overhaul It’s time to build New regs for Tuesday: Night lights for sunken boats News bites: Spotlight on Arizona Obama to address sexual assaults at Naval Academy commencement Broadwell: ‘I have remorse’ after the Petraeus scandal PEPFAR 10 Years Later: Uniting to eliminate pediatric AIDS Report: Grassley’s chief of staff quits to run for Senate Washington State members monitoring bridge collapse Christie: ‘I’ll be here to welcome’ Obama during visit next week News bites: Judge leaning against Apple in e-book case Poll: Clinton tops Rubio, Paul in possible Iowa showdown GOP’s Gomez: Markey is ‘pond scum’ America is falling apart: How the Tea Party can save us IRS, three other federal agencies closed Friday due to sequestration News bites: Iran hacks U.S. energy firms, big pay day for Chesapeake chief, and more News bites: Need some help? News bites: Sharks not on a plane First 100,000 Keystone comments reveal intensity of fight over oil sands pipeline News bites: Resurgent Wall Street helping draft financial laws Rep. Rooney: Obama’s speech could help push for Ft. Hood victims Poll: Two-thirds say economy in bad shape Gang of Eight’s strategy for winning immigration floor fight: Stick together Democrats defend IRS official’s Constitutional rights to stay silent Republican lawmakers wary of need for special prosecutor in IRS scandal MORNING READ Obama nominates State Dept. official involved in Benghazi to new post