The House let the Violence Against Women Act, which supports critical rape and domestic violence counseling programs and other violence prevention strategies, silently expire this week.

The House let the Violence Against Women Act, which supports critical rape and domestic violence counseling programs and other violence prevention strategies, silently expire this week.

During the 113th session, for the first time in the history of the Senate women will compose 20 percent of its Members. 1992 was named 'year of the woman' as 6 female Senators were elected. 2012 saw 11 women elected, 6 senators being re-elected and 5 newcomers.

Learn more about the women in the US Senate, where they are from, which party they represent with the following infographic created by NerdWallet.

South Carolina Senator Jim Demint's departure from public office to head up The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, further signifies a reconstruction period for the Republican brand at large. Governor Nikki Haley, the state's first female governor, appointed representative Tim Scott to fill the empty seat.

Many words have been used to describe the 112th Congress. It has been called ‘lackluster,’ ‘unproductive,’ and even the ‘worst Congress ever.’ The legacy the 112th leaves is that of polarized division. It was a Congress that put partisan politics before solving the nation’s biggest problems.

Many words have been used to describe the 112th Congress. It has been called ‘lackluster,’ ‘unproductive,’ and even the ‘worst Congress ever.’ The legacy the 112th leaves is that of polarized division. It was a Congress that put partisan politics before solving the nation’s biggest problems.