David R. Sands

Raised in Northern Virginia, David R. Sands received an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and a master's degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He worked as a reporter for several Washington-area business publications before joining The Washington Times.

At The Times, Mr. Sands has covered numerous beats, including international trade, banking, politics and Capitol Hill, and spent eight years on the foreign desk as senior diplomatic correspondent. He is currently the deputy editor for politics. In addition, he has reviewed books and written feature stories for the newspaper and authored The Times' weekly chess column since 1993. He is also senior writer for Washington GolfStyles, a monthly publication covering the Mid-Atlantic golf scene.

Articles by David R. Sands

Pressure builds on Burris to resign

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and other Democratic officials called on Sen. Roland Burris to resign from the Senate, which is investigating him for perjury. The White House wants hi actions leading up to his appointment explained. Published February 21, 2009

Democrats revive Populist Caucus

A group of nearly two dozen House Democrats last week revived the party's moribund Populist Caucus, vowing to push aggressively for a broad "middle-class agenda" of good jobs, tougher corporate regulation, progressive tax cuts, universal health care and a deep suspicion of traditional trade deals. Published February 17, 2009

Senate voting on stimulus bill

The House passed a $787 billion economic recovery package of spending and tax cuts Friday, sending the bill to the Senate, which is expected to approve the measure this evening before it's forwarded to President Obama. Published February 13, 2009

Deal reached on historic stimulus

UPDATED: The White House and Democrat-controlled Congress struck a deal Wednesday for a $789 billion stimulus package. Published February 12, 2009

Bankers deny misusing TARP money

Eight of the nation's most prominent bankers, representing an industry pilloried for its lavish bonuses and perks, defended their use of billions of taxpayer bailout dollars Wednesday before a House panel whose members collected $1.8 million in political donations connected with those banks during the last election. Published February 12, 2009

Historic stimulus deal reached

The White House and Democrat-controlled Congress struck a deal Wednesday for a $789 billion stimulus package. Published February 12, 2009

Bankers defend bailout record

The expected grilling amounted to a light toasting Tuesday as executives of some of the nation's biggest banks came before a House panel angry over the results to date from the government's $700 billion Wall Street bailout. Published February 11, 2009

Congress works to preserve fragile stimulus

UPDATED: Congressional leaders began hurried negotiations Tuesday to merge House and Senate versions of an economic rescue package, struggling to keep the price tag low enough to preserve a few key Senate Republican votes while satisfying House Democrats eager for more spending. Published February 11, 2009

Congress works to preserve fragile stimulus

Struggle begins on stimulus bills

Congressional leaders began hurried negotiations Tuesday to reconcile House and Senate versions of an economic-rescue package, struggling to keep the price tag low enough to preserve a few key Senate Republican votes while satisfying House Democrats eager for more spending. Published February 11, 2009

Calls for ‘regular order’ grow louder

It lacks the rhetorical flair of "Remember the Maine!" or even "Yes We Can!" but the demand for "regular order" has become a potent rallying cry for lawmakers from both parties unhappy with the way Congress is being run. Published February 10, 2009

Leahy calls for ‘truth commission’

UPDATED: The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Monday called for a "truth commission" with subpoena powers to investigate a string of policies adopted by the Bush administration in the post-Sept. 11 war on terror. Published February 10, 2009

Taxes trip up another Obama nominee

Labor Secretary-designate Hilda L. Solis on Thursday became the fourth senior administration nominee in a month to see their Senate confirmation slowed or scuttled over problems with their taxes. Published February 6, 2009

Madoff whistleblower blasts regulators as inept

The financial analyst who tried to blow the whistle on disgraced Wall Street investor Bernard Madoff lashed out at federal regulators, telling a congressional hearing that the Securities and Exchange Commission was "overmatched" and "totally incapable" of uncovering Mr. Madoff's suspected $50 billion Ponzi scheme on its own. Published February 5, 2009

Whistleblower blasts feds over Madoff

UPDATED: The financial analyst who tried to blow the whistle on disgraced Wall Street investor Bernard Madoff lashed out at federal regulators, telling a congressional hearing that the Securities and Exchange Commission was "overmatched" and "totally incapable" of uncovering Mr. Madoff's suspected $50 billion Ponzi scheme on its own. Published February 4, 2009

Democrats positioned well for 2010

The decision Tuesday by three-term Republican Sen. Judd Gregg to join President Obama's Cabinet as secretary of commerce makes him the fifth Republican incumbent who will not be defending his Senate seat in 2010, handing Democrats a number of opportunities to expand their majority. Published February 4, 2009

Senate votes down add to stimulus

The Senate voted down an amendment Tuesday that would have added $25 billion to the stimulus for more transportation project, a popular economic remedy that fell to Republican concerns over the $885 billion bill's ballooning price tag. Published February 3, 2009

Dodd to change controversial mortgage terms

UPDATED: Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher J. Dodd said Monday that he would refinance two questionable low-rate mortgages he received from lending giant Countrywide Financial Corp. in 2003, seeking to put behind him a personal ethics controversy as he prepares to shepherd an overhaul of the nation's financial markets through Congress. Published February 3, 2009

GOP may lose Gregg to Commerce

Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire acknowledged Friday he is being considered for secretary of commerce in President Obama's Cabinet, a move that could have momentous consequences for the balance of power in Congress. Published January 31, 2009