Sean Lengell
Articles by Sean Lengell
Bailout watchdog to step down after 2 years
The government's independent watchdog for the $700 billion Wall Street bailout program is stepping down after more than two years on the job. Published February 14, 2011
House GOP calls for ‘historic’ spending cuts
House Republicans unveiled a spending bill Friday night that calls for deep cuts to many federal programs, a move they say will shed significant government waste, lower the deficit and spur the economy. Published February 11, 2011
Senate Democrats and House GOP clash over shutdown threat
Senate Democratic leaders have accused House Republicans of playing a dangerous game of political chicken by threatening a government shutdown unless Democrats meet their demands for deep spending cuts. Published February 11, 2011
Appropriations chief sharpens spending knife to mollify base
The chairman of the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday announced deeper budget cuts than earlier proposed — a move intended to stem criticisms that House Republicans would renege on a top campaign promise. Published February 10, 2011
House GOP calls for more spending cuts
The chairman of the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday announced deeper budget cuts than earlier proposed — a move intended to stem criticisms that House Republicans would renege on a top campaign promise. Published February 10, 2011
Longtime programs on table for budget ax
The chairman of the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday announced deep federal spending cuts — including the elimination of some established programs — in a preliminary budget plan, while top Republican House leaders met with President Obama to discuss ways to rein in spending and shrink the national debt. Published February 9, 2011
National Airport limits debate pits East vs. West
The Senate debate to ease decades-old restrictions on long-haul flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has divided lawmakers along geographical lines instead of the usual party ones. Published February 7, 2011
GOP takes aim at ‘Obama agenda’ backers for 2012
When Sen. Joe Manchin III, West Virginia Democrat, voted last week to block a Republican attempt to repeal the 2010 health care law, his action on some levels was routine. The vote was straight along party lines, and the GOP effort was viewed largely as a symbolic gesture with little chance of success. Published February 6, 2011
‘Bipartisan spirit’ part of Reagan’s legacy
Ronald Reagan, despite his status as the "Great Communicator," was a polarizing figure during his eight years in the White House. But the Reagan legend has proven malleable and open to shifting interpretations over time. Published February 3, 2011
Senate rejects repeal of health care law
The Obama administration's health care initiative survived a major test Wednesday when Senate Democrats blocked a Republican attempt to repeal the reforms, though GOP leaders vowed to continue their fight to kill what they called a massive "jobs killing" measure. Published February 2, 2011
Pentagon still pays contractors after fraud, Sanders says
Sen. Bernard Sanders says the Defense Department paid $285 billion over a three-year span to hundreds of military contractors who defrauded the Pentagon during the same period. Published February 2, 2011
GOP senators force vote on health law repeal
Senate Republicans have forced a vote on repealing the health care reform law, an action Democrats say is a waste of time that will end in defeat. Published February 1, 2011
Senate Republicans move to repeal health care law
Senate Republicans leaders said Tuesday they will force a vote in the coming days on repealing the health care reform law, an action Democrats promised would end in defeat. Published February 1, 2011
Senate OKs small reforms to filibuster, ‘hold’ rules
Falling far short of what some restive Democrats had hoped, the Senate agreed Thursday to modest updates in the way it does business including a change in the use of the filibuster and an end to secret "holds" on measures. Published January 27, 2011
Ryan warns of ‘tipping point’
Acknowledging the public has a right to be angry at both parties, Republican leaders responding to President Obama's State of the Union speech implored Americans to trust them to lead the country out of its economic malaise. Published January 25, 2011
Court orders Emanuel off ballot for Chicago mayor
An Illinois court on Monday ordered Chicago mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel — President Obama's former chief of staff — off the ballot over a residency dispute, a decision he says he will appeal to the state Supreme Court. Published January 24, 2011
Court boots Rahm Emanuel off Chicago mayoral ballot
An Illinois Appeals Court on Monday ordered Chicago mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel — President Obama's former chief of staff — off the ballot, saying he didn't live in the city long enough before the election to qualify as a resident. Published January 24, 2011
Social issues top GOP state agendas
Newly minted Republican lawmakers who stormed state legislatures with vows of fixing the economy and controlling spending also are tackling social issues, such as gun laws and immigration, with minimal Democratic resistance. Published January 23, 2011
Lawmaker backpedals on Nazi remark on health care foes
Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen apologized for remarks that linked Republican attacks on President Obama's health care law to Nazi propaganda, saying he didn't intend to offend anyone. Published January 20, 2011
GOP panel maps plan for huge budget cuts
An influential group of conservative House Republicans issued a blueprint Thursday for slashing the budgets of PBS, Amtrak and the National Endowment for the Arts — and dozens of other government programs and agencies — in a bid to roll back spending and shrink the national debt. Published January 20, 2011
