Sean Lengell

GOP tests Democrats on college loan issue

Senate Republicans used a parliamentary move Thursday to force Democrats into a battle with President Obama over government subsidies for student loans, upping the stakes in the fight with less than three weeks to go before interest rates rise. Published June 13, 2013

Lawmakers outside intelligence loop get miffed about briefing structure in Congress

As more details trickle out this week about the federal government's secret collection of American telephone records, frustration is growing on Capitol Hill over a stratified intelligence-briefing structure that gives some members — but far from all — access to highly classified information. Published June 11, 2013

John Boehner: Time is right to bring latest farm bill to House floor

After punting last year on a farm bill, House Speaker John A. Boehner said Monday he will bring his chamber's 2013 version to the floor this month — a move sure to divide his fellow Republicans. Published June 10, 2013

Supreme Court nears rulings on key voting rights cases

The Supreme Court is expected this month to announce rulings on two key voting rights cases that could reshape how Americans nationwide cast ballots in federal elections. Published June 9, 2013

John Boehner demands answers on NSA, phone records

House Speaker John A. Boehner on Thursday called on the Obama administration to provide answers regarding a government-sponsored surveillance program of U.S. telephone customers, even though Congress apparently has received frequent updates on the secret probe. Published June 6, 2013

N.J. Gov. Christie picks state A.G. to fill U.S. Senate seat

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday tapped Jeffrey S. Chiesa, the state's Republican attorney general and a longtime adviser, to the Senate seat left open by the passing earlier this week of Democratic Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, sending Mr. Chiesa to Washington just in time for high-profile legislative scraps over immigration and taxpayer-funded farm subsidies. Published June 6, 2013

Booker not a shoo-in to succeed Lautenberg

When New Jersey Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg announced in February he wasn't running for re-election next year, the path seemed cleared for Newark Mayor Cory Booker to waltz into the seat. The energetic and telegenic Democrat has strong ties with his party's leadership, and his populist governing style made him one of the most popular politicians in the Democratic-leaning Garden State. Published June 5, 2013

House panel advances measures to ax public campaign financing

A House committee Tuesday approved measures to end public financing of presidential campaigns and national party conventions, as backers say the programs have lost support among voters and candidates and are a waste of taxpayer money. Published June 4, 2013

House Republicans put voter assistant commission in cross hairs

House Republicans are pressing to kill an independent government commission designed to improve state-level voting procedures, arguing the body has run its course, is ineffectual and is a waste of taxpayer money. Published June 3, 2013

Democrat leaves race after Bachmann exit

Two days after Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann said she wouldn't seek re-election next year for her Minnesota House seat, her primary Democratic challenger has indefinitely suspended his campaign. Published May 31, 2013

Another ricin-tainted letter mailed to Obama

Yet another ricin-tainted letter was mailed to President Obama, the third such poisoned letter sent to the White House in recent weeks and part of a batch of suspicious mail sent from Spokane, Wash. that also targeted a federal judge and a post office in that city, the FBI said. Published May 31, 2013

Obama received ricin-tainted letter

The Secret Service on Thursday said a suspicious letter mailed to President Obama was similar to letters suspected of being laced with the deadly poison ricin sent last week to New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and his gun control group. Published May 30, 2013

Media shunning Holder’s off-record meetings

Attorney Gen. Eric Holder's plans to make peace with the media upset over his department's surveillance of journalists has run into problems, as several news organizations have refused invitations to meet with him unless the meetings are conducted on the record. Published May 30, 2013

In race for Va. governor, ‘unfavorable’ is winning

A new poll shows Democrat Terry McAuliffe leading Republican Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II by 5 percentage points in the Virginia governor's race, though both candidates are having a tough time winning the hearts of voters. Published May 29, 2013

Rhode Island Gov. Chafee becomes a Democrat

Republican-turned-independent Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee has again switched his political affiliation — this time to the Democratic Party. Published May 29, 2013

Priebus: Obama lying or incompetent on scandals

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said President Obama's denial that he was involved directly with the IRS's targeting of conservative groups and other ongoing Washington scandals shows he is either lying or incompetent. Published May 28, 2013

Bipartisan bill in Senate would get tax cheats off the federal payroll

With the IRS scandal over targeting conservative groups still simmering, two senators — one from each party — say the time is ripe to push the beleaguered agency to go after a real, proven target: federal employees who are tax cheats. Published May 27, 2013