Congress Promised a Productive Lame-Duck Session: Here's What They're Accomplishing in Final Weeks of Term

State of the Union 2022.Photo: Shawn Thew - Pool/Getty Earlier this week, the Republican Partyregained the majority of seatsin the U.S. House of Representatives, just days after Democrats maintained control of the Senate. But while Congress now awaits a shift in the power balance — a period of time often referred to as a “lame-duck” session, when efficiency is at a low just before the term ends — Democrats are working overtime to make strides in a number of areas while they can, tackling issues like marijuana legalization and gay marriage.

Congress Raises the Legal Age to Buy Tobacco and Vaping Products to 21

Photo: Getty Americans under the age of 21 will now be barred from purchasing tobacco products. The measure had bipartisan support in Congress, including from Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. PresidentDonald Trumphas also previously supported the idea of raising the legal tobacco-buying age, according to theWashingtonPost. Kaine celebrated the news on Twitter. “Our bill to raise the tobacco age to 21 just passed!

Congress Ratifies Electoral College Vote, Certifying Biden as President After Pro-Trump Riots

President-elect Joe Biden.Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty After a dramatic and violent siege of the U.S. Capitol building, members of Congress finally reconvened late Wednesday night to ratify the Electoral College results. The dramatically delayed vote further confirms President-electJoe Bidenwill take the oath of office in two weeks as the nation’s next leader. The vote, affirming Biden’s 306-232 electoral victory over PresidentDonald Trump, came after an hours-long delay when rioters stormed the Capitol, forcing lawmakers to evacuate.

Congress Takes a Break for Annual Baseball Game — and Biden Brought Them Ice Cream

Lawmakers on either side of the aisle went bat-to-bat on Wednesday night, competing in the Congressional Baseball Game, an event that’s been held annually since 1909 but was paused last year due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. The game — played at Nationals Park — pitted Republicans and Democrats against one another at a tense time in national politics, amid negotiations on avoiding both a government shutdown and a default on the national debt.

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Arrested While Protesting in Favor of Voting Rights: 'Just the Beginning'

Joyce Beatty.Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Rep. Joyce Beatty, 71, was part of the group of activists who gathered in the Hart Senate office building to condemn Republican-backed laws they say will restrict access to voting, particularly among people of color and those in rural and lower-income communities. “Today we’re sending a strong message,” Beatty told reporters as she entered the building. “We have Black leaders from across the country … Look at where we stand.