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The article discusses the legislative actions and achievements of the 112th U.S. Congress in 2012. In 2012, the Congress reauthorized surface transportation, flood insurance, defense and federal aviation programs. Lawmakers also established normal trade relations with Russia and toughened sanctions on Iran. However, the Congress failed to reauthorize federal farm assistance programs and also failed to overhaul the Postal Service.

The article provides a state-by-state report on the standings of the Republican and Democratic national election nominees. A large number of electoral votes come from states where neither presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney has a commanding lead. As of August, 2012, Obama can count on 201 electoral votes and Romney can count on 191. Eight Senate seats are in tossups while of 435 House seats, 194 seats are in Republicans' hands and 156 are in Democrats' side.

The article focuses on the key votes made by the U.S. Congress in 2008. It delineates the bills that the Senate passed, cleared, and rejected including the bill on economic stimulus, farm assistance programs reauthorization, and foreign intelligence surveillance. It discusses the bills that the House has passed, cleared, and rejected including the automobile industry bailout, global Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) reauthorization, and the financial industry bailout.

The article focuses on the votes made by U.S. legislators on non-binding measures designed to allow members to record their stance on key issues. The Congress passed a resolution that mandates disclosure of earmarks' sponsors in budget bills on September 14, 2006. The Senate invoked cloture on the confirmation of Samuel A. Alito Jr. as an associate justice of the Supreme Court. The Congress voted 270-150 in favor of the establishment of military tribunals bill.