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Congress is finally returning to work this week, after members took time off to focus on their re-election campaigns (some unsuccessful — see the lame duck list). Incoming freshman will be playing a role as well, when the respective parties in each chamber caucus and vote for leadership positions. There will, however, be legislative action, at least in the Senate, where Democratic leaders are pushing for an extension of unemployment benefits and a possible $25 billion bailout for domestic automakers. While the House is waiting until the Senate makes a decision on the two bills, some of its members will be grilling Treasury officials over the $700 billion financial industry bailout.

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More than a week has passed since Election Day, but there are still five House and three Senate races in play, and the balance of power in Washington hinges on their outcomes. The closest races are currently in Alaska and Minnesota, where two sitting senators are defending their seats against strong challenges. Notably, two of the incumbents in undecided races are under federal investigation (Don Young and William Jefferson) and one (Ted Stevens) is awaiting sentencing on felony corruption charges.

Outstanding Senate races:

In Alaska, Sen. Ted Stevens is trailing Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich by less than 1,000 votes, a reversal of fortune since Stevens' early lead before the state began counting about 74,000 absentee and questionable ballots. Only half the ballots have been counted, however, so it's still anyone's race.

That Stevens is even still in the race is a testament to his standing in the Last Frontier. He’s the longest-serving Republican in the Senate and has represented Alaska in Congress since 1968. He’s also a convicted (though not yet sentenced) felon – a federal jury handed down a guilty verdict on seven counts of lying on personal finance disclosure forms just days before the election.

Should Stevens pull out the victory, he could plausibly serve for several more years as his appeal winds through the courts. The Senate could expel him from the body with a 2/3 majority vote, which is not unlikely considering that several of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle have publicly called for his resignation, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). It would then fall to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to appoint a temporary replacement until a special election, mandated by state law to occur within 90 days, could be held to fill the remainder of the term.

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With Congress in recess and the elections quickly approaching, our citizen editors from across the country have spent more than a year identifying candidates, researching the issues, and writing about politicians' records. With just 8 days left before the election (unless you're in Louisiana's 2nd or 4th congressional district), our candidate profiles are receiving some heavy traffic.

Of course, you can help: do you have some information about any of the candidates in your state or district? Why not add that to their Congresspedia profile page? Check out our Wiki the Vote project, click on your state, and then find your candidate. We've written a guide to getting started, and you can always contact a staff editor for help.

Also, stay tuned next week following the election, as we recap the races that will shape the 111th Congress.

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Ted Stevens Convicted on All Counts in Corruption Trial
Posted Oct. 27, 2008.

Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) has been convicted by a federal jury on seven counts of "knowingly and willfully" making false statements on his Senate personal financial disclosure forms.

One of Stevens' campaign contributors, the owner of an oil services company, performed free renovations on Stevens' Girdwood, Alaska home, and performed other favors. All told, Stevens failed to disclose more than $250,000 in goods and services. The oilman, Bill Allen, eventually cooperated with the prosecution and testified against Stevens.

Stevens now faces up to five years in prison for each of the seven counts, though sentencing guidelines recommend far less time. Stevens is 84 years old and in his sixth term in the Senate.

Under Senate rules, Stevens does not have to resign, but even before the conviction he was in a virtual tie against Democrat Mark Begich in his bid for a seventh term.

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