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Under a parliamentary system there are usually no fixed dates for elections or the beginning of terms, so that a new session of parliament will always begin with its first meeting after an election has been held. Lame-duck sessions do not usually occur in countries under a parliamentary form of government, whether the Westminster system or other models. In 1974, 1980, 1982, 2000, 2004, and 2012, this effort was at least somewhat successful, but in 19 a final resolution was largely left to the following Congress. Additionally, a major task of most lame-duck sessions in recent years has been to complete action on appropriations and the budget. When the President has presented an extensive agenda to a lame-duck session controlled by his own party, it has often approved many of his recommendations (e.g., 1950, 2002, 2004), but when he has done so under conditions of divided government, he has had less success, and has often vetoed measures (e.g., 1970, 1974, 1982). Most, however, could be regarded as at least moderately productive.
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Some sessions, as well, have deferred major matters to the succeeding Congress (e.g., 1944, 1982, 2004), especially when a stronger majority for the same party was in prospect.
#Lame duck meaning pro
Some lame-duck sessions have been held largely for pro forma reasons (e.g., 1948), on a standby basis (e.g., 1940, 1942), or to deal with a single specific matter (e.g., 1954, 1994, 1998). Lame-duck sessions have ended as early as November 22 and as late as January 3, and have extended over as few as one, and as many as 145, calendar days. Some recesses, however, have begun as early as August 7 or as late as November 3, and ended as early as November 8 or as late as December 31. Congress typically reconvened in mid-November and adjourned before Christmas, so that the lame-duck session lasted about a month. Recesses preceding lame-duck sessions have usually begun by mid-October, and typically lasted between one and two months. Prior to 1933, when the 20th Amendment changed the dates of the congressional term, the last regular session of Congress was always a lame duck session.Ĭongress has held 16 lame-duck sessions since 1940. In current practice, any meeting of Congress after election day, but before the next Congress convenes the following January, is a lame-duck session. The expression is now used not only for a special session called after a sine die adjournment, but also for any portion of a regular session that falls after an election. ( September 2016) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Ī lame-duck session of Congress in the United States occurs whenever one Congress meets after its successor is elected, but before the successor's term begins. Use the lead layout guide to ensure the section follows Wikipedia's norms and is inclusive of all essential details. The lead section of this article may need to be rewritten.
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