Much work to be done before Congress goes home

WASHINGTON — Congress is trying to wrap up its post-election work before Christmas, but many issues are still pending. Democrats are trying to advance a number of legislative priorities before a new Congress is sworn in Jan. 5, when Republicans will take control of the House and will enjoy a larger minority in the Senate.Here's a look at what lawmakers have accomplished in the "lame duck" session so far and what's still in play.

Accomplished:

•An $858 billion plan to continue dozens of tax cuts, including income tax cuts for every taxpayer, has been signed into law. Addressing the cuts, which were set to expire Dec. 31, was the biggest issue lawmakers faced.

•Both chambers overwhelmingly approved ending the ban on gays serving openly in the military, known as "don't ask don't tell." President Obama is likely to sign the legislation this week.

To do:

•Obama is pushing the Senate to pass an arms-reduction treaty with Russia.

•A spending bill to fund federal agencies and keep the government running into next year. The House passed a bill that would fund the government through September, but the Senate is considering a shorter time frame.

•A health care bill to help crews who became sick after working at Ground Zero after 9/11. A new version of the bill unveiled Sunday would cost about $6.2 billion over 10 years.

•The Senate unanimously agreed on Sunday to pass a version of a food safety bill that would give the Food and Drug Administration more power to inspect food processing plants and impose mandatory recalls. The bill now goes back to the House for a final vote.

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