The Hill Articles: December 11, 2014

Senate makes designer steroids a controlled substance Dem chairwoman begins Senate debate on omnibus JPMorgan CEO helped whip votes Congress averts government shutdown Rep. Kingston bids Congress farewell House finishes lame-duck session Reid, Pelosi split on funding package Senate to consider $1.1T package Friday Lawmakers highlight Dingell’s last vote after 59 years House passes 2-day stopgap bill House approves $1.1T bill to fund government despite Dem uprising House moves to vote on $1.1T package; backup plan in place Senate to pass short-term funding bill GOP scrambles to avoid shutdown Top Dem: ‘Don’t be intimidated’ by White House Senate passes cybersecurity bill Feinstein: Brennan wrong on success of CIA tactics OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: CIA chief defends agency Alleged White House fence jumper deemed competent to stand trial George H.W. Bush comes to defense of CIA Dem: Don’t be intimidated by Obama OVERNIGHT TECH: Dems applaud funding boost for school Internet Feds crack down on college debt relief scams Ex-CIA director defends rectal rehydration Spat escalates between retail, finance industries OVERNIGHT HEALTH: 7-Eleven to promote ObamaCare ‘Orange is the New Black’ author visits White House Booker blasts GOP rider to block DC pot law Broadcasters: Airwave auction contains message for FCC Obama, Biden work phones to save bill Ebola epidemic should be considered from a national security perspective Senate gridlock freezes Postal Service board Senate passes bill allowing 9/11 victims to sue sponsors of terrorism Alaska predicts $3.5B shortfall due to low oil prices Levin predicts defense vote Friday Dems huddle with Obama’s chief of staff New way to promote ObamaCare: 7-Eleven Coast Guard beefing up maritime security GOP wants accountability, innovation from accreditation – at least right now Congress failing its constituents Kerry to developed world: Lead on climate or get out of the way Two lawmakers faulted, two cleared in House Ethics probes Hayden: Senate report will make CIA officers ‘more timid’ Congressional staffers walk out over Brown, Garner decisions ‘Cromnibus’ cuts could hamper IRS enforcement of ObamaCare Dealing with the issue of rape Defense contractors venture into health care: The upsides and the down White House budget office holds call to prepare for shutdown Warren erodes support for Treasury pick Pelosi ‘enormously disappointed’ in Obama Senate passes river protection bill Pelosi: GOP doesn’t have the votes Defeated senator aims to leave legacy on adoption US tried to use Cuban hip-hop artists to spark reform US oil falls below $60 Armed Services chairman demands CIA release cable on Iraq War Senate could move one more cybersecurity bill Helping consumers choose an online lender they can trust CIA chief rips ‘flawed’ Senate report as Feinstein fires back Economists to Obama: Lift oil export ban Greenpeace harms ancient Peruvian site Funding bill struggles for votes as government shutdown nears Senate Dem touts millions for painkiller abuse in funding bill FCC chief hopes to move ‘quickly’ on net neutrality Amazon hires Monument Policy Former Senate GOP leadership aide joins Podesta Group Key House Republican misses vote CIA head: ‘Unknowable’ if harsh methods worked Dozens of lawmakers call for liver ‘redistricting’ plan Senate passes Russian sanctions bill Rep. Chaffetz — and his cot — makes office move Canada: Police can search phones without warrant Amid crisis, CIA chief goes on defense A crisis the US can do something about Pelosi to vote against spending bill, says Dems are being ‘blackmailed’ FCC order will increase Internet speeds in rural regions Obama: Congress should stand down on DC pot law Warren pleads with GOP to fix funding deal Liberal senators threaten to oppose omnibus DOJ: 80 percent of campus rapes unreported Republicans blast FHFA plan to restart contributions to housing trust fund Senate panel approves ISIS measure barring ground troops Clinton exploring spring announcement Obama backs ‘cromnibus’ ahead of vote GOP senator joins foes of Wall Street provision in spending bill Franken: SNL is more fun than Senate Ted Cruz’s Secret Santa gift President takes legal action while conservatives embrace inaction Reindeer farmer saves ‘cromnibus’ with yes vote House Dems block charitable tax bill Gun rights advocates call on Republicans to defund the government Ousted senator confesses to breaking Senate rules Dem bill would ban fracking on federal land Administration boosts liability limit for oil spills House Armed Services subcommittee chairmen named Sanders will oppose $1T ‘cromnibus’ package Obama ‘more optimistic’ about Pacific trade deal High drama as $1.1T spending package advances by one vote Tax chairman introduces reform bill Red Cross warns of holiday Ebola spike FCC hikes rates to fund Internet in schools Bernie Sanders headed to Iowa GOP lawmakers warn Social Security ‘woefully’ vulnerable to doctor fraud Froman says trade remains bipartisan issue EPA methane rules won’t hit gas utilities, industry predicts Top of Farenthold’s Christmas list: A drone DHS cyber bill awaits Obama’s signature Veterans’ Affairs chairman a ‘no’ vote on defense bill Pennsylvania senators go to bat for Comcast QM Rule: The law of unintended consequences Dems demand changes to funding bill Maxine Waters ‘optimistic’ Wall Street change can be removed House sends chemical facility security bill to Obama In farewell, Dr. No stresses importance of one senator Medicare, Medicaid move to broaden rights for same-sex spouses Lew: Low oil prices are ‘like a tax cut’ Retails sales cheerier in November Protesters interrupt FCC meeting Senate advances Defense bill Next Judiciary chairman eyes treatment of minors Governance is a key tool for MCC in changing Africa Union slams inclusion of trucker rules in funding bill Panel backs Obama’s pick for No. 2 State post Gitmo releases followed undisclosed high-level Obama meeting Oprah-produced film on Rep. Lewis gets DC premiere Perry: Voters should consider more than IQ New regs for Friday: Cybersecurity, oil spills, endangered fish Gillibrand: Service members deserve vote on sexual assault reform Sanders opposes ‘cromnibus’ over Wall Street rider US nurse exposed to Ebola arrives at NIH Thune aide heads to GOP lobby shop Burger King could save millions on taxes Club for Growth chief Chocola stepping down Schumer, Coburn oppose House terrorism insurance bill Pence headed to Israel amid 2016 speculation Dem senator urges vote on surgeon general Barney Frank changes tune on rule at center of funding fight Jobless claims hold steady under 300K Obama’s amnesty benefits lawbreaking employers PTSD and law enforcement: Our protectors need protection O’Malley calls for special prosecutor on CIA interrogations Reid: Lands package is long overdue US operation of Afghan prisons ends Labor warns Obama on trade policy Does President Obama like Kevin Hart? Jeb Bush head of new offshore fund Moderate Dems call for longer deadlines in EPA climate rule House Dem leaders face limited options on spending bill GOP rep attempted late bid to kill spy bill Thursday: Averting a shutdown, Defense bill Time to advance a new oversight framework for health IT Can the debt be stopped? Russia denounces US over interrogation report No. 2 Senate Dem: ‘We’ve got a problem’ if Dodd-Frank rider stays Poll: Public bracing for more gridlock Stand up and change the rule Let’s not poke a hole in consumers’ pockets Clinton beating Christie by 11 points in NJ ‘Susan Rice has to be called’ One year later — Revitalizing US efforts in South Sudan WHIP COUNT: Mad scramble for votes to keep government funded Women leading in public and private sectors Obama’s involvement jeopardizes FCC’s net neutrality efforts Torture, the Senate report and keeping our eye on the ball Obama to announce $390M funding to boost manufacturing Government shutdown would not stop Obama on immigration President’s nominees face do-or-die moment as Congress sets to adjourn Women flood ranks of GOP GOP senators brush back Cruz, Coburn Top 10 lobbying victories of the year Obama turns to rebounding economy to cement legacy