Sean Lengell

Gillibrand bucks party as Blue Dog

New York Gov. David Paterson raised eyebrows when he named Kirsten Gillibrand as Hillary Rodham Clinton's successor. But many in her home district, including some Republicans, say they weren't shocked at all. Published February 15, 2009

Funeral service delays stimulus vote

While the Senate began voting early Friday evening on the $787 billion economic stimulus package, the vote was held up for several hours to allow Sen. Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat, to fly back from his home state, where he was attending a memorial service for his mother. Published February 14, 2009

Senate voting on stimulus bill

The House passed a $787 billion economic recovery package of spending and tax cuts Friday, sending the bill to the Senate, which is expected to approve the measure this evening before it's forwarded to President Obama. Published February 13, 2009

HEALTH CARE REPORT: Governor to head HHS?

With Tom Daschle out of the running for health and human services secretary after his highly publicized tax problems, President Obama may turn to a governor to head the department. Published February 10, 2009

Obama signs bill to expand SCHIP

President Obama signed legislation Wednesday to expand a popular health care plan for millions of uninsured children, capping a two-year effort by Democrats that had been blocked repeatedly by Capitol Hill Republicans and President Bush. Published February 5, 2009

President signs children’s health bill

UPDATED: President Obama Wednesday afternoon signed into law legislation to expand a popular health-care plan for millions of uninsured children, capping a two-year effort by Democrats that repeatedly had been blocked by Capitol Hill Republicans and former President George W. Bush. Published February 4, 2009

Health care reform not No. 1 on Hill

A key Senate Democrat charged with overseeing his party's swift push for universal health care indicated Tuesday that such reform may have to wait until next year, as other priorities related to the economy and military take precedence. Published February 4, 2009

Health-care reform may have to wait

A key Senate Democrat charged with overseeing his party's swift push for universal health care indicated on Tuesday that reform may have to wait until next year, as other priorities related to the economy and wars take precedent. Published February 3, 2009

Holder confirmed; GOP refocuses on Daschle

Republicans opted not to fight Eric Holder's nomination, but may do so against former Sen. Tom Daschle. Published February 3, 2009

HEALTH CARE REPORT: Health care reform delay?

President Obama's promise to push for an overhaul of the country's health care system is taking a temporary back seat to the pressing matters of aiding the slumping economy. Published February 3, 2009

GOP senators scrutinize Daschle nomination

Senate Republicans piled on Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Tom Daschle for failing to pay more than $128,000 in taxes, though they stopped short of saying they would reject his confirmation. Published February 2, 2009

Inside Politics

MINORITY PARTY Published February 2, 2009

Republicans scrutinize Daschle nomination

UPDATED: Senate Republicans on Sunday piled on Tom Daschle for failing to pay more than $128,000 in taxes, though stopped short of saying they would vote against the South Dakota Democrat's confirmation. Published February 1, 2009

Senator wants pay cap on Wall Street

A day after President Obama rebuked corporate America, Sen. Claire McCaskill introduced legislation Friday that calls for capping executive salaries at companies that accept federal dollars because of the economic downturn. Published January 31, 2009

Children’s health bill clears Senate

UPDATED: The Senate Thursday evening approved an expansion of a popular children's medical insurance program, clearing the way to give President Obama a high-profile down payment on his promise of universal health care coverage. Published January 30, 2009

Waxman to push ‘09 health care reform

The top House lawmaker in charge of writing health care legislation said Thursday he is committed to passing a universal health care package by the end of the year, just hours before the Senate was expected to approve an expansion of a popular children's medical insurance program. Published January 30, 2009

Senate backs Obama on abortion funding

Democrats fended off a Republican effort in the Senate on Wednesday to reinstate a U.S. policy prohibiting the federal government from funding groups that perform or promote abortions overseas. Published January 29, 2009

HEALTH CARE REPORT: Daschle wait game

The confirmation of Tom Daschle, Mr. Obama's pick to head the Health and Human Services Department, was supposed to sail through the Senate without trouble - and it still might. But the process is taking longer than many expected. Published January 27, 2009

House puts limits on bailout funds

The House on Wednesday voted to limit how the remaining $350 billion in the financial bailout fund can be spent, while appropriators took their first crack at a proposed $825 billion economic recovery package. Published January 22, 2009