Real Senate work to begin on Jan. 24

From NBC's Ken Strickland
Under the headline of "you probably didn't know"...

Of course, you already know the Senate convenes tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 5. Newly elected and re-elected members will get sworn into office the the 112th session of Congress.

On the following Monday, Jan. 10, the Senate leaves for a two-week recess... often called the "state work period."

Any real action, warfare, drama, deal-making, or bipartisanship won't start until the Senate returns on Monday, Jan. 24.