The Hill Articles: October 31, 2013

Aide: Obama never considered dumping Biden for Clinton O-Care docs: 248 joined in first two days Watchdog obtains IRS-FEC email exchange Hagel orders same-sex benefits in Guards O-Care contractor cited for security lapses OVERNIGHT MONEY: Budget conferees feeling the pinch OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Energy Dept. officials gather, Moniz in Japan, and more Baucus to rev up tax reform efforts OVERNIGHT TECH: Privacy groups blast Feinstein’s NSA bill Paul says Yellen will win Senate confirmation despite holds Senate open to delaying Iran sanctions after heavy White House push Book: Team Obama mulled replacing Biden with Hillary Clinton Rep. Daines to announce Senate bid next week OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Agitated Dems vent on ObamaCare New senator Booker lands on environment committee Senate panel supports NSA data collection OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Senate panel passes NSA bill Regulator: More funding needed to enforce rules Booker joins Senate transportation committee Lawmakers join fight over conflict minerals regulation Senate open to delaying Iran sanctions after heavy White House push Reid gives Senate Friday off, after saying Senate will work Fridays McCain leaning yes on ENDA Vietnam weighs threatening WTO action over catfish AHIP seeks to explain health plan regs Gillibrand holds up Navy nominee AAA: 13 percent of US gas stations charging less than $3-per-gallon Reid sets up procedural vote on gay rights bill Treasury eases ‘use it or lose it’ healthcare rule US backs $1.25 billion loan to Jordan Google, Facebook back NSA curbs Russia continues weapons shipments to Syria Stand up for black youth Exxon, amid Keystone question mark, eyes new rail project Google, Oracle experts to help fix ObamaCare Rep. Wolf blasts diplomats’ group for resisting Benghazi probe Dems renew ‘nuclear option’ talk Feds issue rules to fight food stamp fraud M&Ms, dried fruit among treats at White House McConnell: ObamaCare is a ‘mess’ Interior chief seeks balance in use of public lands Politics of the possible? Armed Services panel approves Pentagon nominees A budget to earn the respect of Latino voters Thune open to 2016 presidential bid ‘Agitated’ Dems vent on ObamaCare woes Israeli warplanes strike targets inside Syria Senate panel backs NSA data collection The next post-New Deal prosperity Airlines race to allow devices during flights Kerry: Some surveillance happened on autopilot ObamaCare agency promises Nov. 30 website fix Internal poll shows Osborn leading Nebraska Senate GOP primary Will Obamas skip Halloween costumes again this year? Small business owners depend on the great outdoors Paul to Obama: Explain spying on pope US intelligence revamping security clearance process CBC scolds the Senate for blocking Watt’s nomination Media Matters hits Fox’s coverage of driving fees Interior chief: Politics played ‘absolutely’ no role in park closures Obama pledges foreign investment push Rand Paul: NSA may spy on Obama Syrian death toll tops 120,000, group says Senators blast Obama’s Syria envoy New bill lets companies run drug tests on truck drivers’ hair White House: O-Care struggles expected Cory Booker sworn in as NJ senator Regulatory rush job deprives many of health insurance plans they liked Spending panel chiefs demand budget deal before turkey day Budget talks start off with tax fight Sen. Rockefeller urges caution in expanding airplane tablet use Report: US drones kill three in Pakistan When fake outrage is over, what’s the GOP strategy to deal with ObamaCare’s success? WH: No security risks on HealthCare.gov Tolling advocates cheer Virginia court ruling in their favor The right’s war against the poor: Pope Francis, liberal Democrats against House Republicans, Ayn Rand atheists GOP blocks Obama’s DC Circuit nominee Delaying new flood insurance rates is a bad idea White House officials in talks with anxious Dems on ObamaCare White House: US will publish fossil fuel subsidy totals Biden calls on Sen. ‘Frank’ Menendez GOP lawmaker blasts diplomats’ group for resisting Benghazi probe WATCH LIVE: Obama talks commerce and job creation California, the ‘modern equivalent of ancient city-states of Athens and Sparta’ awakens, with northern friends Poll: Franken up by double digits in reelection fight McConnell: ‘Albert Einstein’ couldn’t fix healthcare reform law Senate Republicans block Watt’s nomination Warren congratulates Red Sox on World Series victory Iraqi prime minister makes pitch for more aid in terror fight Privacy advocates, online ad groups still doubt Do Not Track talks FAA ends ban on electronic devices on flights McConnell: Sebelius focus a ‘distraction’ FDA pushes rules to combat drug shortages Retail industry intensifies push for tax reform Cory Booker sworn in as new NJ senator ObamaCare implementation agency paid out $23 million on behalf of dead people Hillary grabs Hollywood cash for McAuliffe How not to end a bad government program Rep. Issa subpoenas Sebelius Paul discards plagiarism charges from ‘political enemies’ Senate panel weighs shale gas boom’s climate impact Kerry heads to Saudi Arabia to repair ties with Middle East ally Warren: Go Sox! Shutdown delays FEC’s bitcoin decision Paul: ‘Haters’ concoct plagiarism charges Top Dems made same healthcare promise as Obama McConnell argues for flexible comp time for working families EMILY’s List endorses Democrat Alex Sink for Florida House seat Manufacturing lobby launches tech group Momentum builds for permanent ‘doc fix’ Chairman: Businesses hurt by ObamaCare’s ‘changing script’ RNC hires Rubio aide as Hispanic press secretary Wind industry has little to show for tax credit DNC taps EMILY’s List chief as new executive director McConnell calls for flexible comp time for working families Senate panel clears 24 ambassadors and other diplomatic nominees Friday’s meeting announcements: Chinese plywood gets trade commission review Roger Daltrey dines with Churchill’s grandson ahead of Capitol dedication More than 100 lawmakers urge EPA to change fuel mandate Late night-smash: ObamaCare’s ‘trick or treatment’ New regs for Friday: States get power to fight food stamp fraud FAA ends tablet ban during flights Let’s have a smart conversation about gun policy Obama administration ramps up efforts to attract foreign investment, create jobs Sen. Thune on ObamaCare website: ‘Everybody knows, they’ll get that fixed’ Report: Snowden lands job in Russia News bites: Taking aim Walker, Rubio, Ron Paul to stump with Cuccinelli Thune: ‘Everyone knows’ that HealthCare.gov will eventually be fixed Nine Dems propose mandate delay News bites: Size matters Setting the record straight on lender-placed insurance News bites: Intel may sell TV venture News bites: Global regs curbing growth, World Bank says Thursday: Cory Booker and Mel Watt in the Senate Sen. Johnson calls Obama’s healthcare promises ‘false advertising’ Watchdog: Syria destroys chemical weapons equipment Obama accused of ‘false advertising’ Rahm Emanuel: ‘Heads are spinning’ over ObamaCare website Biden apologizes for health care rollout Coburn, Reid meet after ‘a–hole’ remark Reid, Coburn meet after ‘a–hole’ comment Reid: Cruz nomination would destroy GOP Energy Secretary will tour Japan’s Fukushima nuke plant Regulation horror stories for Halloween Top Dems made same promises Surging cellphone industry shops for a new lobby chief Patent reform fight drives wedge through tech sector No truce for business groups, Tea Party White House photographer in front row at World Series News bites: Oil sands producers turn to rail, Shell’s profits fall, and more President asked Hillary to stay