Sean Lengell
Articles by Sean Lengell
Bernanke makes case for new Fed term
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke on Thursday offered a strong defense of his handling of last year's near collapse of the economy, telling a Senate panel considering his pending reconfirmation that his actions helped avert an even greater crisis. Published December 3, 2009
Bernanke reconfirmation to Fed seen assured
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke, who has received bipartisan condemnation from Capitol Hill for his handling of the economy, is likely to get an earful from senators during his reconfirmation hearing Thursday. Published December 3, 2009
Treasury chief urges regulation of derivatives
Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner on Wednesday urged Congress to quickly pass legislation to rein in derivatives, the exotic and complex financial instruments that exacerbated the economic crisis. Published December 3, 2009
Geithner urges quick action on derivatives
Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner on Wednesday urged Congress to quickly pass legislation to rein in derivatives, the exotic and complex financial instruments that exacerbated the economic crisis. Published December 2, 2009
Republicans accuse Obama of ACORN cover-up
House Republicans accused the Obama administration Tuesday of covering up criminal activities committed by the embattled community activist group ACORN, saying that the president has used the group as an illegal political tool to help himself and other Democrats get elected. Published December 2, 2009
Republicans say Obama is blocking ACORN probe
House Republicans on Tuesday accused the Obama administration of covering up criminal activities of the embattled community activist group ACORN, saying that the president has used the group as an illegal political tool to help himself and other Democrats get elected. Published December 1, 2009
Senate Democrats win key vote on health bill
Senate leaders rallied jittery moderate Democrats to vote Saturday for moving the health care overhaul to a full floor debate, setting up weeks of skirmishes over touchy subjects. Published November 22, 2009
Doubtful Democrats fall in line for health bill
Senate leaders rallied moderate Democrats to vote Saturday for advancing the health care overhaul to a full floor debate, setting up weeks of skirmishes over touchy subjects and a hefty price tag that challenge its fate. Published November 21, 2009
Pressure mounts for Geithner to resign
Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner is making few new friends in Congress these days, as a growing litany of bipartisan critics are questioning whether he should keep his job. Published November 20, 2009
Senate GOP blasts financial reform proposal
Several Republicans slammed Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Christopher J. Dodd's proposed overhaul of the financial sector's regulatory system as a gateway to more Wall Street bailouts. Published November 20, 2009
Dems call for probe of Fed’s handling of AIG bailout
A group of House Democrats alarmed over accusations the Federal Reserve mishandled the $85 billion bailout of AIG want Congress to conduct a top-to-bottom review. Published November 19, 2009
Merrill takeover wasn’t forced, lawmaker says
A senior House Democrat denied that the government forced Bank of America to go through with a takeover of Merrill Lynch, despite past comments to the contrary from the bank's former top executive. Published November 18, 2009
House Dem: Gov’t had no role in Merrill merger
A senior House Democrat has denied the government forced Bank of America to go through with a takeover of Merrill Lynch, despite past comments to the contrary from the bank's former top executive. Published November 17, 2009
Report: Billions wasted in AIG bailout
The Federal Reserve's initial emergency plan last fall to save then-failing AIG was so poorly structured that it resulted in billions of additional taxpayer dollars spent on the insurance giant. Published November 17, 2009
Two arrested in Ponzi scheme coverup
Two former employees of convicted Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff used their computer skills to help cover up one of the largest investor frauds in history and were given hush money when they threatened to stop cooperating, federal prosecutors said Friday. Published November 14, 2009
Critics question Dodd’s reform proposal
Senate banking committee Chairman Christopher J. Dodd's proposed overhaul of the government's financial regulatory system is under fire after his ethics investigation. Published November 11, 2009
Dodd calls for finance-regulation overhaul
Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, chairman of the Senate banking committee, proposed on Tuesday a massive overhaul of the government's financial regulatory system in a move designed to prevent another economic collapse, protect consumers and dismantle failing institutions. Published November 10, 2009
Lieberman vows probe of Hood rampage
Sen. Joe Lieberman plans to start a congressional investigation into Thursday's shooting rampage at Fort Hood, saying that if initial reports hold true, it would be "the most destructive terrorist act to be committed on American soil since 9/11." Published November 9, 2009
Health bill faces roadblocks in Senate
Hours after House Democrats narrowly advanced legislation to reshape the country's health care system, Republicans and a key independent in the Senate on Sunday vowed to kill the measure unless it is radically altered. Published November 9, 2009
Obama: It’s Senate’s turn on health care
President Obama on Sunday congratulated the House for its "historic" vote for health care reform and urged the Senate to follow suit. Published November 8, 2009