The Hill Articles: October 4, 2013

Free hugs offered on Capitol Hill Republicans opposed to Sandy relief want FEMA funding Gallup: Economic confidence plunges amid shutdown Boehner: ‘This isn’t some damn game’ House passes 6th, 7th ‘mini’ spending bills GOP slams scheduled maintenance on ObamaCare site State is most followed agency Twitter account by lawmakers House Democrats urge consideration of immigration reform Obama names new director general for the State Department Police respond to man on fire at National Mall Pelosi and House Dems hit the mother lode; Obama down, Reid up, Boehner in free fall Jim Jordan: Any budget deal has to tackle ObamaCare Senate recognizes national chess week as it prepares for weekend work Like an ostrich, the UN buried its head in the sand on Camp Ashraf Obama’s approval lowest in two years Clapper defends NSA’s attempts to crack Tor network Actress goes topless to promote ObamaCare Republicans ‘puzzled’ by Iran sanctions slackening during shutdown Louisiana Republicans say ‘no negative impact’ from shutdown ahead of tropical storm Hillary Clinton will start thinking about 2016 ‘sometime next year’ Where went our pivot? Actress Gina Gershon: Hillary Clinton is a ‘badass’ Senate Democrat notes ‘hypocrisy’ in Capitol Police buttons Hatch accuses Treasury Sec. Lew of creating ‘needless panic’ on debt limit GOP senator: Shutdown negotiations are a ‘Clint Eastwood moment’ Defense firms to begin furloughs Monday GOP thwarts Dem move to force vote on ‘clean’ spending bill The cost of the Internet: Our freedom DCCC fundraising email: ‘Enough of this crap’ Grassley slams Clapper on furloughs in intelligence community Amid shutdown, US cancels trade talks with the EU Dems plan discharge petition to force vote on ending shutdown Shutdown hampering Iran sanctions, White House says DCCC head: At least 180 Dems would support clean CR Walker defies DC order to close down federally funded parks in Wisconsin Senate Democrat: GOP action is ‘extortion’ not compromise Report: NSA tried, largely failed to crack Tor network How to repeal the minimum wage without really trying Debt ceiling isn’t place for climate fight, says House Republican Liberal Dems sign off on sequester cuts Dem super-PAC attacking Boehner on shutdown House to vote on back pay for furloughed government workers Financial industry says default is ‘unacceptable’ Obama: ‘No one is winning’ in shutdown Senate Democrats block Cruz’s attempt to pass House funding measures McCutcheon v FEC: Undermining representative democracy Kerry Washington: DC relates to ‘Scandal’ a little too much Rep. Engel slams ‘offensive’ European call for circumcision ban Buffett: Debt ceiling ‘ought to be banned as a weapon,’ calls lawmakers ‘idiotic’ Lobby firm snags House Armed Services staffer Obama, Biden walk from White House to grab hoagies Rep. Rogers blasts new UN role for Iran Senators push Pentagon to end furloughs for civilians, Guard and Reserves Dems: Shutdown might cause health crisis Dem proposes private donations to fund White House tours SEC chief rips Dodd-Frank mandates Disturbing record of American-trained forces AT&T CEO: ‘Unthinkable’ to breach debt ceiling GOP member: Dems ‘lying’ when they say debt default is near Ayotte: ‘Defunding ObamaCare did not work’ GOP lawmaker huddles with Boehner on repeal of medical device tax Amtrak vows to end concession losses in five years Watchdog files ethics complaint against lawmaker who confronted park ranger A call for democracy in a House divided GOP looks for way to flip momentum on shutdown’s fourth day Wendy Davis rises, Texas Republicans are headed for a fall, and the Battle of Texas begins Reid reminds senators of civility rules when addressing each other Bloomberg vows to provide ‘critical missing piece’ to climate debate Former Helms aide’s jewelry to be auctioned for charity McCain praises Vietnamese military commander Defense companies say they’ll start furloughing workers ‘within days’ McConnell: Halting ObamaCare unsuccessful but worthwhile House bill would end shutdown for FDA Hensarling: Default not inevitable Senate hearing focuses on federal workers furloughed during shutdown McBait and switch: McDonald’s health pledge contradicted by the fine print Late-night smash: ObamaCare signup, Boehner goes for bronze EMILY’s List endorses Wendy Davis News bites: Pilot shortage New regs for Monday: Bottom of the barrel News bites: Airline carbon deal leaves details for later, storms heads for Gulf, and more News bites: Twitter files IPO, seeking to raise $1 billion Poll shows Rubio in close reelection fight News bites: Enrollment update National Manufacturing Day highlights challenges and opportunities Pelosi: Dem spending concessions ‘lost in the news’ on shutdown News bites: Withdrawal Friday: Funding for food and FEMA Poll: Public’s anger at Washington spikes News bites: Obama campaign alumni urge Keystone rejection Report: Woman was dental hygienist, suffered from postpartum depression House Majority PAC hits Rep. Joyce with crying baby ad Spirited South Dakota Senate race revs up on Washington’s doorstep September jobs report gets pink slip amid shutdown drama MORNING READ Obama cancels trip to Asia, cites shutdown Biden calls park ranger: ‘I’m proud of you’