Sean Lengell
Articles by Sean Lengell
Rangel hit with 13 ethics charges
The House ethics committee officially lodged charges against Rep. Charles B. Rangel, including that he used his office to raise $8 million for a college public policy center named after him and didn't file taxes while he was Congress' chief tax writer. Published July 29, 2010
GOP to Sebelius: Don’t cover abortions
A group of Republican senators threatened to force changes to the new national health care law unless the Obama administration does more to ensure that federal dollars won't be used to pay for elective abortions. Published July 28, 2010
House, Senate battle over Iraq, Afghanistan bill
A long-stalled bill to help pay for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars is back at the feet of House Democrats, who must decide whether to accept the Senate's leaner proposal or keep pushing for billions of dollars in extra domestic spending — a politically risky move that could further delay resources to U.S. troops. Published July 25, 2010
Democrats mull taxes for higher earners
A small but growing chorus of Capitol Hill Democrats say they support delaying a scheduled expiration of Bush-era tax cuts on wealthier Americans, bucking the Obama administration's desire to shield only middle-income earners from a tax increase. Published July 22, 2010
Pressure builds for firing of Afghan IG
A call to fire the inspector general charged with sniffing out fraud and corruption in Afghanistan's reconstruction grew a little louder and became bipartisan Wednesday. Published July 21, 2010
Boehner set to ‘listen’ to ‘tea party’ members
The top House Republican dismissed concerns that his party's cozy relationship with the conservative “tea party” will turn off voters in November, saying it would be wrong to ignore the growing movement. Published July 21, 2010
Graham explains Kagan vote
It was no surprise that Supreme Court hopeful Elena Kagan took a big step closer to confirmation Tuesday when she easily won the approval of a Democratic-controlled Senate panel. Published July 20, 2010
Senate panel OKs Kagan’s nomination
Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan cleared a big hurdle on her way to confirmation Tuesday as a Senate panel easily approved her nomination, though she did so with the help of just one Republican. Published July 20, 2010
Abortion returns to campaign forefront
An Obama administration effort to rein in states treading toward using new health care laws to fund abortions - and provide political cover for pro-life Democrats - reignited a politically explosive issue that Republicans and pro-life activists are eager to exploit in the lead-up to the fall midterm elections. Published July 19, 2010
Poll: Reid has 7-point lead on rival
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, whose re-election bid has been bogged down by poor polling numbers the past year, has a seven-percentage-point lead in a new survey after a volley of aggressive TV ads aimed at his Republican challenger. Published July 18, 2010
‘Comeback’ for GOP seen in House races
The top Senate Republican said Thursday the GOP is "on a comeback" politically as Democrats scrambled to bury the hatchet after several days of intraparty squabbling over their chances to hold the House in November's elections. Published July 15, 2010
Boehner calls for repeal of Wall Street reform bill
Hours before the Senate was poised to pass the most expansive regulatory overhaul of Wall Street since the Great Depression, the top Republican in the House already was calling for its abolition. Published July 15, 2010
Pelosi: Obama has House Democrats’ backs
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday denied there was friction between House Democrats and the White House, downplaying reports that she has accused the president of ignoring their interests. Published July 15, 2010
Angle says Fox interviews help fill coffers
The Republican challenger to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said she prefers appearing on Fox instead of news programs like NBC's "Meet the Press" or ABC's "This Week." Published July 14, 2010
U.S. airspace rules irk Canada
A Toronto family boarding an Air Canada nonstop flight to Cancun, Mexico, soon will need Uncle Sam's permission before starting their vacation, according to a new U.S. security measure that is causing a commotion north of the border. Published July 11, 2010
GOP takes aim at record for gubernatorial wins
Republicans are poised to win more gubernatorial seats in 2010 than in any election during the past 90 years - a feat that would eclipse the 24 seats won during the "Republican Revolution" of 1994, a new study shows. Published July 6, 2010
GOP newcomer hot on the heels of Feingold in Senate-race polls
It was supposed to be an easy re-election for Sen. Russ Feingold. And come November, it still may be. But for now, the Wisconsin Democrat is facing one of his toughest campaign challenges in a long and successful political career. Published July 4, 2010
Boehner escalates White House spat, says president is ‘whining’
An ongoing tit for tat between the White House and a top Republican amped up Thursday, with House Minority Leader John A. Boehner accusing the president of "whining" instead of solving problems, such as the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Published July 1, 2010
Byrd lies in repose in U.S. Senate
Sen. Robert C. Byrd made one final visit Thursday to the institution he served and loved for more than half a century, as his body lay in repose in the Senate chamber while lawmakers, friends and admirers paid their last respects. Published July 1, 2010
Kagan dodges Democrats’ digs at high court
Treading carefully, Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan on Wednesday declined an invitation from Senate Democrats to portray the current high court as partisan, rejecting concerns that a recent spate of 5-4 decisions has eroded important legal precedents. Published June 30, 2010
