Sean Lengell

Gates: Afghan exit timeline ‘a mistake’

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates said it would be a "strategic mistake" to set a deadline to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan, saying such a move would emboldened al Qaeda terrorist operations. Published September 28, 2009

Inside Politics

The top Republican on the House Financial Services Committee predicts that Congress won't extend the government's $700 billion Wall Street bailout program past its scheduled year-end expiration. Published September 28, 2009

Gates: Diplomacy is best option on Iran

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates says that economic sanctions and diplomacy — not military action — for now appears the best way to force Iran to halt its nuclear program. Published September 27, 2009

Inside Politics

"As most members of the Cabinet would confirm, it's not a barrel of laughs having to sit down for a chat with Gordon Brown," David Hughes writes on the London Daily Telegraph Web site. Published September 25, 2009

Wall Street bailout doing OK

UPDATED: A senior Treasury Department official told Congress on Thursday the government's $700 billion Wall Street rescue has been a success but didn't hint when the bailout will end, leading to speculation the agency may seek an extension beyond the program's scheduled October expiration. Published September 25, 2009

Treasury: Wall Street bailout will continue

The Treasury Department official who oversees the government's $700 billion Wall Street bailout says the program has been a success but will need to continue for the foreseeable future. Published September 24, 2009

White House OK with limit on new consumer agency

The Obama administration said Wednesday it won't challenge Democratic plans on Capitol Hill to scale back the president's proposed consumer protection agency, bowing to growing pressure from the banking industry and dissent within Mr. Obama's own party. Published September 24, 2009

Inside Politics

"Distancing himself from George Bush and embracing the legacy of Franklin Roosevelt - to the point of quoting the 32nd president on the need for 'the cooperative effort of the whole world' to build peace and prosperity - Barack Obama addressed the United Nations Wednesday as an old-school liberal internationalist," writes John Nichols on the Web site of a liberal magazine, the Nation. Published September 24, 2009

Admin OK with limits on agency powers

The Obama administration said Wednesday it won't challenge Democratic plans on Capitol Hill to downscale the president's proposed consumer protection agency, bowing to growing pressure from the banking industry and dissent within Mr. Obama's own party. Published September 23, 2009

‘Vanilla’ banking mandate falls flat

Congress appears set to ignore President Obama's proposal that banks be required to offer "plain vanilla" financial products such as 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, giving the banking industry an early victory in its fight with the administration over how to reform the financial-services sector. Published September 23, 2009

Inside Politics

"Conservatives are having quite a bit of success drumming up manufactured controversies, but each one makes them look less and less like the kind of people you'd trust to run the country," writes Paul Waldman on the Web site of the liberal magazine the American Prospect Published September 23, 2009

Voting machine firms’ merger questioned

The pending merger of two of the nation's largest voting machine companies has triggered alarm bells, legal action and a federal inquiry over concerns that the deal could adversely effect how the country votes. Published September 22, 2009

Inside Politics

Almost 300,000 people have asked Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to halt oil and gas activities in the U.S. Arctic region and to permanently protect Alaska's Bristol Bay from drilling. Published September 22, 2009

U.S. eyes ban on loan aid payment

The Federal Trade Commission announced Thursday that it may ban upfront payments to companies that advertise help for borrowers struggling to pay their home loans. Published September 18, 2009

Inside Politics

METRO MISSIVE Published September 18, 2009

Inside Politics

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Wednesday that she was disappointed by the State Department's recent action to revoke certain visas that will prevent key meetings between members of Congress and Honduran government officials. Published September 17, 2009

Obama’s financial reform faces opposition

Despite continued populist fury directed at Wall Street a year after the market meltdown, President Obama is fighting a strong headwind as he pushes for tougher regulation of the financial services industry. Published September 15, 2009

Consumer protection faces lobby fight

While the din of the health care debate continues to envelope Capitol Hill, another divisive White House-backed measure looming on the sidelines already has attracted dozens of deep pocketed players determined to strike it down. Published September 15, 2009

Sebelius: Expect swine flu shot soon

A swine flu vaccine could be ready in early October - sooner than expected - and require half the dose once anticipated, says Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Published September 14, 2009

No need to apologize again, Wilson says

Republican Rep. Joe Wilson said Sunday he will ignore calls from Democrats demanding he apologize on the House floor for yelling "You lie!" during the president's health care speech to Congress Wednesday, saying he already has said he is sorry. Published September 14, 2009