Santa Visits the White House, Gary Locke Cameos, 111th Congress Leaves the Building

Over in the Other Washington, a historic "lame duck" session is over. The propaganda machine's weekly West Wing video features several signings, including DADT repeal and the compromise (or compromised) tax bill, and the receipt of the 2010 U.S. Census from Commerce Secretary--and former Washington State Governor--Gary Locke.

(I kind of <3 Secretary Locke. We used to see him--and sometimes Ms. Mona--in the Capitol Hill QFC on a fairly regular basis, and he was always thoughtful and courteous.)

The holiday week closes the 111th Congress of the United States, which is being widely acclaimed for getting tons of shit done, not all of it as glamorous as the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Whether one agrees with the various legislation is a matter of personal conviction, but here's a partial list of what all got signed in just the last week:

Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010; Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2010 Part IV; Coast Guard Authorization; Kingman and Heritage Islands Act of 2010; Bankruptcy Technical Corrections Act of 2010; Ray Daves Airport Traffic Control Tower, Spokane, Washington; Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010; Reauthorization and Enhancement of Johanna's Law; Hoh Indian Tribe Safe Homelands Act; Preserving Foreign Criminal Assets for Forfeiture Act of 2010; Arlington National Cemetery Management Reports; Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2010; Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009; Private Relief for Shigeru Yamada; Private Relief for Hotaru Nakama Ferschke; Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site Designation Act; Museum and Library Services Act of 2010; FOR VETS Act of 2010; Leases Involving Certain Indian Tribes; Longline Catcher Processor Subsector Single Fishery Cooperative Act; Leases of Restricted Land; National Foundation on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition Establishment Act; Criminal History Background Checks Pilot Extension Act of 2010; CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010; Continuing Appropriations, FY 2011 (Continuing Resolution thru Dec 21); Red Flag Program Clarification Act of 2010; Social Security Number Protection Act of 2010; Administrative Operations of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol; H.R. 6184 - Water Resources Development Act of 2000 Amendment; H.R. 3237 - National Aeronautics and Space Act; Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2010; Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010.

From the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act for Women, one of President Obama's first accomplishments when he took office, to the confirmation of two new Supreme Court Justices, and this week's ratification of the new START treaty, love it or hate it, it's been a historic Congress. What will the 112th do?