> af fo thi elections, washington woul headed for more partiannd and instead, this has been a season of progress for the american people. reporter: there was a major foreign policy victory. when the senate ratified the s.t.a.r.t. nuclear disarmament treaty with russia despite charges the adminsratade toocess i think this treaty is good for our country. i think this treaty enhances our national security. reporter: also, the senate approved a package of health benefits and compensation for 9/11 first responders. under a bipartisan deal struck earlier the total cost of the bill was reduced from $6.2 billion to $4.2 billion. it passed unanimously. this is our small effort to stand behind them when they need us most. reporter: earlier, president obama received a hero s welcome. just before repealing the 17-year-old don t ask, don t tell policy allowing homosexuals to serve openly in the military. marine staff sergeant eric alba was the first american wounded in the iraq war. losin
south korea is conducting its largest-ever wintertime military drills today. just about 20 miles from its border with the north. today s maneuvers involve 800 south korean troops along with tanks and even some jet fighters. they are all in direct response to last month s bombardment of a south korean island by the north. last night in seoul, hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil honoring the four people killed in that attack. tension between north and south korea will top the agenda when the chinese president visits washington next month. the white house announced hu jintao s official state visit will be january 19th. the two leaders met last year when president obama visited china. the president and mrs. obama will also host a state dinner in president hu s honor. and the president is joining his family in hawaii for the christmas holiday is but he is leaving washington on a high note. nearly all the top presidential priorities ended up being approved by congress.