David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
Leahy calls for ‘truth commission’
UPDATED: The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Monday called for a "truth commission" with subpoena powers to investigate a string of policies adopted by the Bush administration in the post-Sept. 11 war on terror. Published February 10, 2009
Taxes trip up another Obama nominee
Labor Secretary-designate Hilda L. Solis on Thursday became the fourth senior administration nominee in a month to see their Senate confirmation slowed or scuttled over problems with their taxes. Published February 6, 2009
More Obama nominee tax problems?
A Senate committee abruptly canceled a confirmation vote for Labor Secretary-designate Hilda L. Solis Thursday amid fresh reports of tax problems involving the husband of the California congresswoman. Published February 5, 2009
Madoff whistleblower blasts regulators as inept
The financial analyst who tried to blow the whistle on disgraced Wall Street investor Bernard Madoff lashed out at federal regulators, telling a congressional hearing that the Securities and Exchange Commission was "overmatched" and "totally incapable" of uncovering Mr. Madoff's suspected $50 billion Ponzi scheme on its own. Published February 5, 2009
Whistleblower blasts feds over Madoff
UPDATED: The financial analyst who tried to blow the whistle on disgraced Wall Street investor Bernard Madoff lashed out at federal regulators, telling a congressional hearing that the Securities and Exchange Commission was "overmatched" and "totally incapable" of uncovering Mr. Madoff's suspected $50 billion Ponzi scheme on its own. Published February 4, 2009
Democrats positioned well for 2010
The decision Tuesday by three-term Republican Sen. Judd Gregg to join President Obama's Cabinet as secretary of commerce makes him the fifth Republican incumbent who will not be defending his Senate seat in 2010, handing Democrats a number of opportunities to expand their majority. Published February 4, 2009
Senate votes down add to stimulus
The Senate voted down an amendment Tuesday that would have added $25 billion to the stimulus for more transportation project, a popular economic remedy that fell to Republican concerns over the $885 billion bill's ballooning price tag. Published February 3, 2009
Dodd to change controversial mortgage terms
UPDATED: Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher J. Dodd said Monday that he would refinance two questionable low-rate mortgages he received from lending giant Countrywide Financial Corp. in 2003, seeking to put behind him a personal ethics controversy as he prepares to shepherd an overhaul of the nation's financial markets through Congress. Published February 3, 2009
GOP may lose Gregg to Commerce
Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire acknowledged Friday he is being considered for secretary of commerce in President Obama's Cabinet, a move that could have momentous consequences for the balance of power in Congress. Published January 31, 2009
Gregg considered to head Commerce
Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire Friday confirmed intense speculation on Capitol Hill that he is being considered for the post of commerce secretary in President Obama's Cabinet, a move that would have momentous consequences for the balance of power in Congress. Published January 30, 2009
House OKs stimulus plan without GOP
The House approved a massive $819 billion stimulus bill Wednesday evening to boost the struggling economy, but not a single Republican voted for the measure despite a personal lobbying pitch from President Obama. Published January 29, 2009
GOP: Its plan is better jobs machine
House Republicans on Wednesday argued that their alternative stimulus program, heavy on tax cuts, would create nearly 3 million more new jobs than the $816 billion economic recovery plan being pushed by the Obama administration and congressional Democrats -- using the same methodology favored by President Obama's top economic advisers. Published January 28, 2009
House passes $819B stimulus plan
The House approved a massive $819 billion stimulus bill to boost the struggling economy, but not a single Republican voted for the measure despite a personal lobbying pitch from President Barack Obama. Published January 28, 2009
Gillibrand sworn in to Clinton’s Senate seat
The Senate was down to one vacancy Tuesday as Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand was sworn in on the Senate floor to take the seat vacated by new Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Published January 28, 2009
Senate grills SEC on Madoff’s dealings
Key lawmakers Tuesday demanded much tougher government oversight of Wall Street and the securities markets as regulators struggled to explain how they failed to detect the $50 billion Ponzi scheme reportedly operated by financier Bernard Madoff for more than a decade. Published January 28, 2009
Gillibrand sworn in to succeed Clinton
UPDATED: The Senate was down to one vacancy Tuesday as Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand was sworn on the Senate floor to take the seat vacated by new Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Published January 27, 2009
Geithner gets Treasury post amid opposition
UPDATED: The Senate confirmed Timothy F. Geithner on Monday to head the Treasury, giving President Obama a key member of his team at a time when the administration faces a long to-do list. Published January 27, 2009
Political dynasties fade away
Call it Bush/Clinton/Bush/Clinton fatigue syndrome, or perhaps the new Obama meritocracy, but some of the most famous names in U.S. politics have come up empty-handed in recent days. Published January 27, 2009
Biden swears in new Colo. senator
Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. made his first trip back to his old stomping grounds Thursday, returning to the floor of the Senate to swear in new Sen. Michael Bennet, Colorado Democrat. The ceremony marked Mr. Biden's official debut as president of the Senate, where he served six terms as a senator from Delaware. Published January 23, 2009
Senate panel approves Treasury pick
Timothy Geithner overcame concerns about irregularities in his income-tax returns and won Senate panel approval for his nomination to head the Treasury Department, as the agency he may soon head received a vote of no confidence from House lawmakers displeased with its handling of the Wall Street bailout. Published January 23, 2009
