Sean Lengell

Lawmaker wants OK from service chiefs in lifting of ‘don’t ask’

Just when Democrats thought the thorny issue of repealing a ban on allowing gays to serve openly in the military had been resolved, a Republican lawmaker reopened the debate by calling for more military voices to have a say if, when and how the ban is lifted.

January 18, 2011

House expresses Tucson-attack revulsion

A somber and bipartisan shadow enveloped the House on Wednesday as members gathered in support of one of their own on the first work day since the attempted assassination of Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords last weekend.

January 12, 2011

Concern over member security muted

Some Capitol Hill lawmakers are speaking out about what they say is the need to beef up security measures for congressmen, bucking a general trend from members of both parties to remain silent on the matter so soon after the attempted assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona.

January 11, 2011

Capitol Hill stops to reflect on Ariz. shooting

Hundreds of House staffers and a sprinkling of congressmen gathered Monday morning outside the Capitol for a moment of silence for the victims of the Arizona shooting on Saturday.

January 10, 2011

Appropriations staff staying put

Republican leaders have bucked pleas from some conservatives for a massive staff shakeup of the House Appropriations Committee — a move critics say would help the party fulfill its promise to reform and tamp down Washington's out-of-control spending practices.

January 9, 2011

Senate Democrats seek rule changes; GOP wary

Senate Democrats said Thursday they will continue to seek Republican cooperation on proposed rule changes to make it tougher for the minority party to use filibusters and other procedural tactics to block majority bills.

January 6, 2011

Senate Democrats seek rule changes; GOP wary

Senate Democrats said Thursday they will continue to seek Republican cooperation on proposed rule changes to make it tougher for the minority party to use filibusters and other procedural tactics to block majority bills.

January 6, 2011

Democrats in Senate stall over filibuster

Senate Democrats are so determined to curtail Republican use of the filibuster to block their legislation that they've frozen time — technically speaking — in the hope of hammering out a deal that will prevent what they call an abuse of parliamentary procedure.

January 5, 2011

Dean slams Obama staff for ‘contempt’ of liberals

Former Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean on Wednesday said President Obama has relied too heavily on Washington insiders during his first two years in office but said an ongoing shakeup of inner circle of White House advisers will better serve the president.

January 5, 2011

House to vote on repeal of health care law

It didn't save them from catastrophic losses at the polls, but Democrats say the nuts-and-bolts benefits already in place thanks to the health care law, such as coverage for young adults and people with pre-existing health conditions, will derail House Republicans' repeal efforts.

January 4, 2011

Incoming governors’ inaugural festivities in tune with times

From extravagant black-tie galas to a casual no-tie barbecue, gubernatorial inauguration events in the coming days will vary widely in cost, size and panache.

December 30, 2010

Draconian moves a must for local budgets

While the national economy shows signs of improvement, city and county governments nationwide still are feeling the strain, as 2010 was among their worst years financially in decades.

December 28, 2010

S. Florida’s West ready to charge Capitol Hill

Depending on who is asked, Republican Rep.-elect Allen West is either a hothead radical who will chip away at what little civility remains on Capitol Hill, or is an energetic, principled pragmatist who will bring a long-overdue dose of sanity to Washington.

December 27, 2010

New START waits as senators bicker over time

While senators spent Thursday debating a nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia called New START, a tiff over how much more discussion time should be scheduled temporarily froze action on the measure. Democrats want to act now, saying that ratifying the treaty immediately is a matter of national security. Republicans say not so fast, and are pushing for several days to review and possibly amend the treaty.

December 16, 2010

History will prove Dems right, Hoyer insists

House Democratic Leader Steny H. Hoyer says that despite his party's massive losses in last month's congressional elections, history will prove the Democratic agenda is the correct path to lead the country out of its economic doldrums.

December 13, 2010

House financial panel to see a new style

When Republicans take control of the House next month, few committees will undergo a more drastic transformation in style, tempo and possibly legislative action than the Financial Services one.

December 12, 2010

GOP stops attempt to overturn ‘don’t ask’

Republicans effectively ended the Democrats' last chance to overturn the military's ban on gay troops Thursday in a procedural vote that likely puts the issue beyond Congress' reach for the foreseeable future.

December 9, 2010

House Democrats pick 5 committee ranking members

The House Democratic Caucus on Thursday picked its leaders for five committees for the 112th Congress, which will convene in January with the party in the House minority for the first time in four years.

December 9, 2010

GOP schedule plans to end 4-day weekend

Five-day workweeks? No late-night votes? A week off every month? The new Republican-led House promises to operate at a very different tempo under the schedule unveiled Wednesday by incoming House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.

December 8, 2010

Kentucky’s Rogers to get Appropriations gavel

House Republicans on Tuesday picked Rep. Harold Rogers of Kentucky as chairman of the chamber's powerful Appropriations Committee — a move that would put the panel with direct control over vast amounts of federal spending in the hands of a longtime supporter of earmarks.

December 7, 2010