The Hill Articles: March 4, 2014

Top Texas Tea Party challengers flame out Race for Stockman seat heads to GOP runoff Dewhurst forced into runoff in Texas Ex-Rep. Canseco faces runoff in comeback bid Ralph Hall forced into primary runoff The next in the Bush dynasty? Cornyn easily survives Stockman challenge Freshman Rep. Veasey wins primary Sessions’ victory against Tea Party challenger Obama looks to ‘de-escalate’ Ukraine crisis $3.9T budget busts spending limits Reid escalates feud with Koch brothers Lawmakers dial Europe to make a case for sanctions on Russia Menendez to Obama: Ease deportations Camp pans Obama budget, despite tax overlap White House threatens to veto latest O-Care bill OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Natural gas, climate fund winners in budget Lobbying World White House seeks cuts to USPS services in budget Mellman: Max support for minimum wage House backs Venezuela demonstrators House retreats from 2012 flood reforms Dr. David Hill: Don’t ignore polls from Russia House mounts attack on Obama’s climate rules Western leaders should take caution with Russia OVERNIGHT TECH: Data breach talks back in Congress CAMPAIGN OVERNIGHT: Deep in the heart of Texas OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Obama budget hits post-acute care, drugmakers Markos Moulitsas: Failed Dem negotiations OVERNIGHT MONEY: Budget plan in focus Dick Morris: Echoes of history OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Pentagon releases 2015 budget Reports clash on Keystone’s carbon impact GOP senators slam Adegbile’s nomination Obama’s budget wish list: Money and manpower for regulations Obama takes minimum wage tour north Cochran releases first ads of campaign U.S. plays down Russian missile launch Trade office gets budget boost for next year; trade agenda is released Research, disease groups say Obama budget inadequate FCC launches health task force Clinton more likeable than 2008? McCain: Obama ‘does not understand’ Putin Tireless voice for equality and opportunity Behind flood bill, a torrent of lobbying Netanyahu says Israel ‘will make sure’ Iran not a nuclear threat Pentagon budget trims funding for weapons programs President Obama getting beaten up Obama’s fantasy budget Group slams Pentagon request for more wartime funds Ryan endorses Simpson in Idaho primary Congress shouldn’t overlook design patents in its push for reform White House says Benghazi, Ukraine link ‘jumped the shark’ Bloomberg supports EITC extension McCain: It’s time Obama ‘woke up’ about Putin Reid slams Koch brothers Pentagon planning to cut 6,300 civilians in 2015 Spy chief outlines hopes for cybersecurity bill Fla. SunRail, Md. Purple Line among DOT ‘new start’ grant winners Snowden to hold ‘virtual’ talk at SXSW IRS chief applauds Obama funding request McConnell: Obama’s budget ‘not a serious document’ Don’t give up on spending discipline at the Pentagon Herschel Walker in DC this week Christie’s standing ovation for O-Care rip Budget includes billions for job-training, apprenticeship programs Koch group president fires back at Reid Obama budget gives $150 million to DC Metro House votes to ease access to home heating oil Obama budget carves out $1.5 billion for Syria Menendez: Putin ‘only understands strength’ Primary elections begin in Texas Sabre-rattling lawmakers should let diplomacy work with Iran Hoyer breaks with Pelosi on energy race Obama seeks billions more from international tax system Pentagon: Sequester risks longer wars SPOTTED: Colin Powell and Antonin Scalia Revolution Messaging adds American Bridge alum Female soul singers to showcase at White House Akin Gump hires former Obama liaison Obama budget hits post-acute care, drugmakers White House lowers funding request for IRS Airport execs want higher passenger fees than Obama Budget allots $5.5B for ObamaCare program decried as a ‘bailout’ GOP senators: Obama nominee makes US ‘less safe’ Organizing for Action revamps rules A simple request from the front lines of healthcare Obama says Russia has time to back off Congress, Israel take on Iran’s terror record No discharge petition on immigration? Obama targets wealthy in budget pitch Obama: Russia has time to back off White House brings back user fees for spectrum Cuomo urges DHS, DOT to strengthen rail safety Obama stands by energy strategy while pushing climate change fund Budget lowers economic expectations Kid to congressman: It would be ‘all chaos’ without you VA reform: It’s vets versus bureaucrats Obama renews gun control push Obama presses budget boost for Wall Street watchdogs Government moves to protect jaguars from extinction FCC closer to requiring text-to-911 emergency services Pentagon unveils $496B budget request Schumer to HHS: Stop painkiller until abuse-proof Hillary Clinton more popular than Chris Christie in New Jersey Rules change for government scientists’ pay LIVE: Obama talks 2015 budget Feds accuse Sprint of overbilling for wiretaps Netanyahu: Israel ‘will make sure’ Iran not a nuclear threat New regs for Wednesday: Text-to-911 emergency services, pay for government scientists Guise of religion to promote discrimination Kingston to lawmakers: Get us coffee First lady’s favorables at 66 percent Rand Paul eyes president and Senate run? Pentagon official: ‘Asia Pivot’ being reconsidered Anti-abortion group endorses Handel in Georgia Senate primary Holder, Paul united against mandatory minimums Providing value and creating opportunity No set targets jeopardize climate deal in 2015 GOP, Waters reach deal on flood bill Mike Lee endorses Sasse for Neb. Senate Mississippi, West Virginia top the list for most obese states Wyden makes hospitals no promises on cuts Biden fundraising for Ga. Senate candidate NSA made Snowden leak worse: Senate Dem Flight cancellations taper off Cancer patient fires back at Gary Peters in new Koch brothers ad GOP, Dems break the ice over chicken, ribs and cupcakes Realizing the Georgian dream Right hits McConnell on gay marriage Tuesday: Israel, energy, flood in the House US to work on $1B Ukraine loan package Putin unsure of ‘end game,’ McFaul says Let it snowfie Dems lead on key issues, yet no election edge Putin asserts Russia’s right to use force in eastern Ukraine Obama warns Russia of ‘isolation’ Phyllis Schlafly endorses Osborn in Nebraska Iowa GOP giving edge to insiders? Boehner not dusting off his drilling plan Camp’s plan shows a shift for Republicans A DC voice for a two-state solution Wyden’s rise starts K Street bidding war