Sean Lengell

Inside Politics

Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter's conversion to the Democratic Party appears to have done little to help his re-election efforts, a new poll shows. Published June 26, 2009

Farm deal bolsters energy bill backing

Support among House Democrats for legislation aimed at curbing greenhouse gases appeared to be growing Wednesday, bolstered by two favorable reports on the economic effects of the bill and an agreement on a string of demands sought by Democratic lawmakers from farm districts. Published June 25, 2009

Inside Politics

While much of the world has condemned the contested Iranian presidential election that incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won, not every world leader is displeased. Published June 25, 2009

Inside Politics

Congressional Democrats in recent days have been busy defending President Obama's handling of Iran, countering Republican calls for more vocal support of street demonstrators in Tehran and other Iranian cities protesting the contested presidential election. Published June 24, 2009

Train crash leaves indelible mark

Depending on the witness, the horrific Metro train crash that killed six during Monday's afternoon rush hour sounded like an exploding bomb, rolling thunder or massive trucks smashing together. But for all who heard the crash, it was one of the most chilling experiences of their lives. Published June 23, 2009

Inside Politics

A watchdog group has filed a complaint with the Senate ethics committee asking lawmakers to investigate the circumstances surrounding an affair that Republican Sen. John Ensign had with a campaign aide, the Associated Press reported Monday. Published June 23, 2009

6 dead in worst ever Metro crash

UPDATED: At least six people were killed and at least 70 were injured when a Metro train crashed with another train during rush hour Monday between the Takoma and Fort Totten stations. Published June 23, 2009

‘A lot of people were screaming’

Depending on the witness, the horrific Metro train crash that killed at least nine during Monday's afternoon rush hour sounded like an exploding bomb, rolling thunder or massive trucks smashing together. Published June 23, 2009

Bipartisan legislation aims to wind down bailout fund

A bipartisan trio of senators say they will introduce legislation to make sure that Wall Street bailout money repaid to the federal government cannot be recycled to keep the program perpetual. Published June 23, 2009

Inside Politics

Sen. John McCain has given President Obama - his opponent in last year's presidential election - overall high marks during his first five months in the White House, but said the president has failed on a promise to bring bipartisanship to Washington. Published June 22, 2009

Back Iran protesters, GOP urges Obama

A parade of Republican lawmakers pressed President Obama on Sunday for stronger public support of Iranians protesting the outcome of the country's contested presidential election, with one senator calling the administration's approach "timid." Published June 22, 2009

McCain: Obama has ‘done well’

Sen. John McCain has given President Obama overall high marks during his first five months in the White House, but said the president has failed on a promise to bring bipartisanship to Washington. Published June 21, 2009

Husband’s actions led Ensign to confess

Republican Sen. John Ensign admitted publicly to committing adultery only after the husband of the woman involved contacted the media about the affair, a spokesman for the Nevada lawmaker said. Published June 19, 2009

Lawmakers attack Fed’s expanded role

Lawmakers warned Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner on Thursday that President Obama's plan to greatly expand the Federal Reserve's powers to oversee financial markets might overburden the central bank and lead to future problems on Wall Street going unchecked. Published June 19, 2009

Geithner: Fed can handle new powers

Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner defended the administration's plan to increase the Federal Reserve's powers on Thursday, saying the agency is best positioned to become a super-regulator that would oversee financial firms deemed "too big to fail." Published June 18, 2009

Ensign quits Senate GOP leadership post

Sen. John Ensign, one day after publicly admitting to an extramarital affair, said Wednesday that he was stepping down from his Senate leadership post but would remain in the chamber. Published June 18, 2009

Obama unveils new Wall St. regulations

President Obama on Wednesday announced the most sweeping reforms of U.S. financial systems since the Great Depression in a move designed to avoid the kind of aggressive lending and speculation that lead to the near collapse of Wall Street. Published June 17, 2009

Obama wants agency to protect borrowers

The Obama administration will propose a new agency to protect consumers from the kinds of lending abuses that led to the collapse of financial markets worldwide, while consolidating the supervision of big banks under one agency in a regulatory overhaul plan to be announced Wednesday. Published June 17, 2009

Bush-era IG fired after advising on Sotomayor

President Obama fired a Bush-era inspector general last week despite the administration's use of the former prosecutor as an adviser in the nomination of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Published June 16, 2009

President fires official ‘out of the blue’

An inspector general fired by President Obama says he was given no warning and only one hour to decide whether to resign or be let go, hinting the action was retaliation for a report highly critical of Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former NBA basketball star and an Obama supporter. Published June 13, 2009