The Hill Articles: May 21, 2014

Defense bill amendment to restrict wartime funding usage House adopts proposal to block contracts with Russian arms dealer House adopts amendment to expand military maternity leave Dem leaders split by GOP’s VA firing bill Lamborn seeks to cut off funding for nuclear control deal Under Contract Brent Budowsky: VA scandal is bipartisan A.B. Stoddard: Tea Party left in the dark WATCH: Infrastructure policy for advanced vehicles WATCH: Skin cancer and the sunscreen act Amendment would end indefinite detentions of U.S. terrorists Dem pushes to close Gitmo by 2016 Trust the EPA for energy, environment information OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: House works through 2015 defense bill OVERNIGHT TECH: Tech industry comes out against new NSA reform bill Obama threatens veto over Guantanamo OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Clock ticks on coal rule House aims to trigger release of Pentagon misconduct reports Navy needs 11 carriers, chief says House Dems call for Shinseki’s sacking House moves forward targeting Benghazi attackers CAMPAIGN OVERNIGHT: Dems demand VA-cancy Senate passes aiding transport of home heating fuels OVERNIGHT HEALTHCARE: Burwell nomination heads to Senate floor Anthony Weiner mocks Benghazi selections Senate Dems to Obama: Reconsider coal rules House votes 390-33 to speed up VA firings House panel clears postal measure Obama like Nixon, says GW professor House adopts amendment to maintain missiles OVERNIGHT FINANCE: Fed minutes show housing worries Dems, top economists make push for student loan refinancing bill Patent reform bill dealt fatal blow in Senate Cuomo names ex-congresswoman as running mate How we build infrastructure and keep America competitive Obama creates national monument in N.M. Hatch: Environmental movement has ‘stupidest people’ Tech hits back after Leahy shelves patent bill US deploys troops to Africa in search for kidnapped schoolgirls Al Green cites Marvin Gaye Udall campaign ties Gardner to McConnell in new attack Russia-China gas deal shows need for US nat gas exports, supporters say Why patent reformers must tread lightly DNC slams Republican lawmaker’s voting rights remarks as ‘abhorrent’ GOP governor won’t appeal ruling legalizing gay marriage Read letter from the president — War Powers Notification on Chad Mississippi Senate candidates trade barbs over video White House ‘strongly supports’ NSA bill Boxer urges Senate to send $12.3B water bill to Obama Menendez: Time is running out for immigration reform Broadcasters’ madness hurting the public Overwhelming vote for Obama’s HHS nominee Tax preparers balk at IRS education standards Poll: Ernst has big primary lead Senate Dems vote to advance nomination of drone memo author Report: Ex-Im Bank helps US firms compete but still needs reforms ’50 Most Beautiful’ nominations ending soon Minimum wage makes ugly cameo in markup of transportation bill US: Russia may be moving troops Pilots’ union targeting DOT chief with hometown ads Hatch: Tax break deal not close Allow green building competition Feds push wage garnishment rule for former employees who were overpaid BP to appeal spill settlement case to Supreme Court Carney doesn’t know ‘specifics’ of concerns on House GOP veterans bill Pelosi appoints Dems to fight ‘abuses’ House GOP: Consumer bureau discrimination probe will continue Dem campaign chairman: ‘Too early to say what victory is’ Golf legend crosses fingers on Senate GOP mental health bill loses Dem co-sponsors Net neutrality is the last hope of American democracy Feathers fly over poultry rider in House bill McGovern blasts decision to block Afghanistan amendment Dem amendments on base closures, Navy cruisers tossed out Sen. Brown joins FDA sunscreen fight Climate change and the American economy Insurance lobby: Let’s beat government to drug cost reform Veterans groups slam Obama comments on VA Rep. Simpson ‘giddy’ after primary win Senate confirms Fischer to Federal Reserve Board Former Rep. Billy Tauzin joins son’s lobby firm First Dems call for VA chief to resign Yellen to grads: Embrace ‘grit’ Pritzker announces US-Africa business leaders summit GOP blasts Obama’s remarks on VA Democrats can start again with Webb and Warren FBI chief: ‘Be suspicious’ of government power No to Palin, but Heart says yes to Hillary Federal cuts cause big drop in medical researchers Coal script flipped on McConnell Parties reach deal on workforce act McConnell invites Grimes to Lincoln-Douglas debates Obama vows accountability at VA Moniz: Energy efficiency bill failure reinforces need for presidential action Bill would reimburse veterans waiting for housing grants Dems likely to join Benghazi probe FBI not changing rules on pot and personnel Security experts call for reforming DHS oversight GM touts 400th electric car charging station GOP demands halt to O-Care subsidies Where is honor at the VA? Messer gets Grimm’s seat on banking panel Ex-Bush official Ridge: Climate change poses ‘a security challenge’ Panel ditches military compensation reforms CNN chief: People don’t watch climate coverage Mortgage applications increase on more refinancing Paul blasts nominee as cloture vote nears New regs for Thursday: Influenza tests, farmers, energy efficiency China throws Russia lifeline with $400 billion natural gas deal Koch group pits women vs. Landrieu Hackers strike eBay LIVE: Obama addresses VA scandal The EPA, President Obama’s legislative body Oil lobby, unions team up on Keystone push Hidden airfare costs could soon be outlawed Reid: GOP broke ‘my legislative heart’ Immigration measure not in defense bill debate Officials cut Calif.’s Monterey Shale oil estimate 96% Key panel rejects last-minute NSA changes Public utility hit by hackers, feds claim NTSB investigating near collision at Newark airport A new BRAC round would boost readiness, save billions Does it matter which party controls Congress? Autism law in peril in Congress Wednesday: Tons of NDAA amendments, handful of nominations Biden warns Russia ahead of Ukraine vote Obama to address VA controversy after meeting agency head Elmo, a Red Hot Chili Pepper, and Jack Nicklaus to visit Capitol Hill Give Congress more accurate tax information Gallup: Gay marriage support hits all-time high VA probe expands Grimes distances herself from Obama Michelle’s meals turn off the kids An imperial majority leader? Cochran missing in Mississippi as McDaniel struggles to stay on track Nicaragua brings big guns to US tariff fight Christie’s biggest battle isn’t scandal Wehby: ‘Lord knows I am not perfect’ Tea Party takes another hit Tea Party candidate falls in Idaho