lame duck session

Definition

A legislative session held after an election but before newly elected members take office, where defeated or retiring lawmakers vote on policy with zero accountability. Democracy's equivalent of a going-out-of-business sale.

Example Usage

During the lame duck session, outgoing senators rushed to confirm judicial nominees before losing their majority.

Origin

Extended from 'lame duck' (elected official serving out their term after losing re-election or retiring), referencing 18th-century London Stock Exchange slang for bankrupt traders.

Fun Fact

The 20th Amendment was passed specifically to shorten lame duck periods because defeated legislators in 1932-33 were blocking Depression-era relief measures.

Source: Legislative procedure terminology

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voice vote

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