The Democrats are holding the Bush administration's feet to the fire on a number of controversial issues - the questionable firing of nine U.S. attorneys, the poor treatment of veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and, of course, the problematic war in Iraq. But have they passed major legislation since capturing both houses of Congress last November? In the House, Democrats have passed their agenda easily, peeling off many GOP votes on such hot issues as a minimum-wage increase and stem-cell research. But favorable action in the Senate will be more difficult, and besides, President Bush opposes many Democratic bills. He's already registered opposition to their ideas for expanding health coverage for children. So what is Congress likely to accomplish? New immigration and education laws still may be in the cards, but this Congress may be remembered mainly for putting the brakes on the Bush presidency's effectiveness during its last two years.

Alan Greenblatt has been writing about politics and government in Washington and the states for more than a decade. As a reporter at Congressional Quarterly, he won the National Press Club’s Sandy Hume award for political journalism. Since joining the staff of Governing magazine, he has covered issues of concern to state and local governments, including budgets, taxes, and higher education. Along the way, he has written about politics and culture for numerous publications, including the Washington Post and the San Francisco Chronicle.