Sean Lengell

Taliban a threat to Pakistan’s ‘existence’

The head of the U.S. Central Command said Sunday that the Taliban's increasing foothold in the mountains of Pakistan "threatens the very existence" of the country, but he said he is confident that the nation's military will protect its nuclear arsenal and that Taliban brutality has provoked Pakistanis to unite against the militia. Published May 11, 2009

Health industry set to offer savings of $2T

Several health-industry trade groups have come up with a plan they say would save Americans at least $2 trillion over 10 years, an offer intended to complement President Obama's push for universal health care, senior White House officials said Sunday. Published May 11, 2009

Cheney: Obama endangers the nation

Former Vice President Dick Cheney on Sunday continued his verbal attack against President Obama, saying that the country is more vulnerable to a potential terrorist attack since the Obama administration took power. Published May 10, 2009

Petraeus: Taliban serious threat to Pakistan

The head of the U.S. Central Command said Sunday that Taliban militants increasing foothold in the mountains "threaten the very existence of the Pakistani state" but that he is confident Pakistan's military will protect its nuclear arsenal. Published May 10, 2009

Obama aide says bin Laden’s status unknown

President Obama's top security adviser said Sunday he isn't sure if Osama bin Laden is alive or dead but that the United States will continue to hunt the terrorist leader. Published May 10, 2009

Nominee pledges to rebuild troubled FDA

President Obama's pick to head the Food and Drug Administration vowed to restore public trust in the troubled agency by beefing up efforts to protect the nation's food supply and ensuring that vaccines for flu and other diseases are readily available. Published May 7, 2009

Sebelius calls for more insurance oversight

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told a House panel Wednesday that a government-run health care plan is needed to keep in check the private insurance industry. Published May 7, 2009

Protests disrupt Senate panel

Protesters demanding that Congress consider a government-run health care system briefly halted a Senate hearing Tuesday morning before being thrown out by police. Published May 5, 2009

Health advocates fear betrayal

Many liberal health care advocates, who have embraced President Obama's pledge to push for universal health care, are growing worried that Democrats in Congress will succumb to Republican pressure and sell the plan short. Published May 5, 2009

HEALTH CARE REPORT: Getting to work

A busy week is brewing in Congress on the health front. Published May 5, 2009

Groups want ethics probe of Murtha, others

Four political watchdog groups that typically support Democratic causes want a congressional ethics panel to probe ties between three House Democrats and the defunct Washington lobbying firm, the PMA Group, which benefited from the lawmakers' help. Published May 2, 2009

Specter to run as Democrat for 2010

Five-term Republican Sen. Arlen Specter said Tuesday that he is switching parties and will run next year as a Democrat. Published April 29, 2009

Senate approves Sebelius

President Obama's Cabinet is finally fully stocked, as the Senate on Tuesday approved the nomination of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to head the Health and Human Services Department, the last Cabinet vacancy. Published April 29, 2009

Specter switches parties, leaves GOP

BREAKING NEWS, UPDATED: Republican Sen. Arlen Specter said Tuesday he is changing political parties and will seek re-election to his sixth term next year as a Democrat, further eroding Republicans' power in Washington. Published April 28, 2009

Senate expected to vote on Sebelius

The Senate is expected Tuesday to approve President Barack Obama's nominee to run the Department of Health and Human Services, which would bolster the administration's leadership during its first public-health crisis -- the swine flu outbreak. Published April 28, 2009

HEALTH CARE REPORT: Steele cuts Sebelius

The head of the Republican Party has joined a growing chorus of conservatives who are speaking out against President Obama's pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Published April 28, 2009

Obama to speak about flu outbreak

President Barack Obama is set Monday to address the swine flu outbreak that has killed more than 100 people in Mexico and has sickened at least 20 people in four U.S. states. Published April 27, 2009

Summers sees end to free fall

The U.S. economy is no longer in an "unremitting free fall" and its outlook has significantly improved in recent weeks, President Obama's top economic adviser said Sunday. Published April 27, 2009

Feds prepare to tackle swine flu

The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Sunday that the human swine influenza that has killed scores in Mexico but so far infected only a handful of Americans will spread further inside the United States before the virus is under control. Published April 27, 2009

Feinstein seeks probe into Bush detainee tactics

The head of the Senate Intelligence Committee has called for a full congressional inquiry to move forward on controversial George W. Bush-era interrogation and detention methods. Published April 27, 2009