Sean Lengell

SEC chief outlines plan to build investor confidence

The head of the Securities and Exchange Commission told a congressional panel Tuesday that her much-maligned agency is engineering a comprehensive overhaul intended to better protect investors and to assure market stability. Published July 15, 2009

Auto task force chief steps down after rescue

The Obama administration's auto task force leader is stepping down in the wake of General Motors and Chrysler having exited bankruptcy protection under government-backed rescue plans, officials said Monday. Published July 14, 2009

Traveling Geithner displays optimism

Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner is using a trip to Europe and the Middle East this week to shore up confidence in the U.S. economy and the dollar, though he warned Monday the struggle against the global recession is far from over. Published July 14, 2009

Geithner: Risks remain for economic recovery

Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner is using a trip to Europe and the Middle East this week to shore up confidence in the U.S. economy and the dollar, though he warned Monday that the struggle to squelch the global recession is far from over. Published July 13, 2009

Geithner urges more derivatives regulation

Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner told Congress on Friday that "substantially" more regulation is needed to rein in the over-the-counter derivatives market, which he blamed in part for the near-collapse of U.S. credit markets last year. Published July 11, 2009

Geithner wants clampdown on derivatives

Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner told a congressional panel Friday that "substantially" more regulation is needed to rein in the over-the-counter derivatives market, which he blamed in part for the near-collapse of Wall Street last year. Published July 10, 2009

Obama team, Congress divided on TARP

The Obama administration and Congress are squabbling over how to spend the hundreds of billions of dollars that remain from last year's $700 billion bank bailout fund. Published July 10, 2009

Ensign’s parents gave mistress’s family $96k

Republican Sen. John Ensign's wealthy parents gave his paramour's family $96,000 after learning of their son's affair with a longtime family friend. Published July 10, 2009

Democrats iffy on new consumer watchdog

The Obama administration's push for a new regulatory agency to protect consumers and investors from financial scams was met with surprise reluctance from some key House Democrats on Capitol Hill. Published July 9, 2009

Treasury pushes for new consumer protection agency

The current financial crisis is proof that a new regulatory agency is needed to protect consumers and investors from scams, a senior Treasury Department official told a congressional panel Wednesday. Published July 8, 2009

Vietnam War architect Robert McNamara dies

Robert S. McNamara, the defense secretary during the escalation of the Vietnam War who later recanted many of his military decisions and called the conflict a mistake, died early Monday at his Washington home. Published July 7, 2009

Former Defense Secretary McNamara dies

Robert S. McNamara, secretary of defense during the escalation of the Vietnam War who later recanted many of his military decisions and called the conflict a mistake, died Monday at his Washington home. He was 93. Published July 6, 2009

Palin fires back at critics on Twitter

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin used her Twitter page Sunday to fire back at critics seizing on her decision to abruptly resign from office this month and to rebut speculation of an FBI investigation. Published July 6, 2009

Biden: White House ‘misread’ economy

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. said the administration underestimated the severity of the slumping economy when it assumed control in January, but he added that it's too early to consider a second massive economic-stimulus measure to help jump-start the economy. Published July 6, 2009

Barry lawyer: Stalking charge ‘baseless’

A lawyer for D.C. Council member and former Mayor Marion Barry said Monday the stalking charge against his client is "baseless." Published July 6, 2009

Huckabee says Palin resignation ‘risky’

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a potential Republican rival of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for the White House in 2012, has called her abrupt resignation a "risky strategy" politically. Published July 5, 2009

Biden: Administration misread economy

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. said the administration underestimated the severity of the slumping economy when pushing Congress this winter to pass the $787 billion economic stimulus package. Published July 5, 2009

Franken gets the last laugh

Those expecting former "Saturday Night Live" regular Al Franken to bring his laugh track to Capitol Hill may also be in for an indefinite wait. Published July 5, 2009

Obama proposes new consumer agency

The Obama administration Tuesday proposed legislation for a financial oversight agency designed to protect consumers and investors from unscrupulous deals - a plan praised by Democrats, but met with skepticism on Wall Street. Published July 1, 2009

WH proposes agency to tame lenders

The Obama administration sent Congress legislation Tuesday to create a new federal oversight agency designed to protect consumers and investors from unscrupulous deals – a plan praised by Democrats but that met with skepticism on Wall Street. Published June 30, 2009