Sean Lengell
Articles by Sean Lengell
Jobs Act vote a tough choice for Democrats
The Senate on Tuesday voted down a Democratic alternative to a House Republican small-business package, leaving the Democratic-controlled upper chamber with two options: accept the House bill or reject a measure supported by President Obama. Published March 20, 2012
Retired military officers call for curbing China’s power
China's burgeoning military poses a significant security threat to Southeast Asia and beyond unless quickly counterbalanced by the U.S. and its allies, said several retired military officers Monday at a Washington symposium. Published March 19, 2012
Maine GOP out to subvert independent King
Maine Democrats are struggling to find a strong contender to challenge for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Olympia J. Snowe, but both parties may find their picks overshadowed by the independent candidacy of popular former Gov. Angus King. Published March 18, 2012
Senate shifts into gear to pass a ‘highway’ bill
The Senate easily passed a transportation bill Wednesday that breaks precedent by not relying solely on federal gas taxes to foot the bill for highway, infrastructure and public-transit projects nationwide. Published March 14, 2012
Hopefuls scramble to qualify for seat of Maine’s Sen. Snowe
Sen. Olympia J. Snowe of Maine's announcement two weeks ago that she won't seek re-election this year has set off a chaotic last-minute rush by potential candidates to organize campaigns - some from scratch - ahead of a Thursday deadline to qualify to run. Published March 13, 2012
Many like idea of cutting off congressional pay for budget inaction
Proposed bipartisan legislation that would stop Congress from getting paid if they fail to pass a budget on time is winning fans on and off Capitol Hill. Published March 12, 2012
Parties wrangle to get credit for jobs legislation
Leave it to Washington to pick a fight over noncontroversial legislation everyone loves. Published March 11, 2012
House GOP gives ground on legislative agenda to Senate
Congress last year was dominated by House Republicans and their agenda, but the legislative initiative appears to be shifting to the Senate this year after Speaker John A. Boehner said this week he is willing to take up a Senate transportation bill rather than have his chamber write its own version. Published March 8, 2012
House faces March 31 deadline on road, infrastructure bill
House Republicans are rushing to rewrite their massive $260 billion transportation bill ahead of an end-of-March deadline to keep federal highway and infrastructure programs funded. Published March 7, 2012
Congress OKs retaliatory duties for Chinese imports
Partisan gridlock still reigns on Capitol Hill, but there's one thing lawmakers agree on — trade penalties for China. Published March 6, 2012
Limbaugh apology garners bipartisan approval
Democrats and Republicans alike said Sunday that conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh was right to apologize this weekend for the inappropriate comments he made about a law school student who testified in support of the Obama administration's health care act. Published March 4, 2012
Democratic leader calls on Romney to repudiate Limbaugh
The chair of the Democratic National Committee has called out GOP presidential front-runner Mitt Romney for not condemning comments by radio personality Rush Limbaugh about a law student who testified on Capitol Hill in support of the administration's health care law. Published March 4, 2012
House Majority Leader Cantor endorses Romney
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor endorsed Mitt Romney and predicted the former Massachusetts governor would win all of Virginia's Republican delegates on Tuesday. Published March 4, 2012
Rep. Norm Dicks, top House Dem appropriator, to retire
Rep. Norm Dicks, the senior Democrat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, said Friday he won't seek re-election this year, citing a desire "to change gears and enjoy life at a different pace." Published March 2, 2012
Kerrey changes mind, decides on Senate run in Nebraska
Former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey has changed his mind and will seek the Democratic nomination for Senate after all, a decision Wednesday that significantly boosts his party's efforts to keep one of its most vulnerable seats this fall. Published February 29, 2012
Dreier to retire, opening up key House post
Rep. David Dreier, the chairman of the powerful House Rules Committee, said Wednesday that he won't seek re-election this year, ending a more than three-decade congressional career and setting up a potential scramble for his panel's chairmanship. Published February 29, 2012
GOP promotes jobs package
House Republicans on Tuesday debuted a comprehensive economic package intended to rebut President Obama's claims that their party hasn't done enough to help small businesses and entrepreneurs. Published February 28, 2012
Sen. Olympia Snowe won’t seek 4th term in Senate
Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, Maine Republican, surprisingly announced Tuesday she won't seek a fourth term, citing the increasingly bitter and partisan nature of Capitol Hill. Published February 28, 2012
Reports of Kerrey run for Senate heat up
Former Sen. Bob Kerrey is widely reported to be reconsidering his decision not to run for Senate in his native Nebraska, a move that could breathe life into the Democrats' fight to hold onto one of the party's most vulnerable seats this fall. Published February 27, 2012
Hoyer: Time is now for deficit-reduction plan
House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer urged Congress to push aside the distraction of the November elections and hammer out a bipartisan deficit-reduction plan immediately, saying the country can't wait. Published February 27, 2012