The most successful lame-duck Congress ever? 6 theories

How did Obama, Harry Reid, and the Democrats manage to score so many victories between the election and Christmas?

Nancy Pelosi signs legislation repealing "don't ask, don't tell," Tuesday. the fourth legislative victory for Democrats during the lame-duck Congress.
(Image credit: Getty)

After a lackadaisical six months, Congress roared to life in the lame-duck session, passing a sweeping tax package, a stop-gap funding bill, a food-safety law, and improbably repealing the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gay service members. The Senate is also likely to ratify President Obama's New START nuclear treaty with Russia. That list of accomplishments is all the more impressive because in lame-duck Congresses, "traditionally nothing meaningful is done," says NPR's Corey Dade. Here are six explanations for this burst of activity:

1. Deadlines focus the mind

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