NATIONAL LAME DUCK DAY
NATIONAL LAME DUCK DAY
On February 6th, we celebrate National Lame Duck Day. No, we're not celebrating a duck with a bad leg. We're recognizing the ratification of the 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution or the Lame Duck Amendment. Grab a chair and sit down, we're going to attempt to quickly explain what National Lame Duck Day means without quacking up.
#NationalLameDuckDay
The term "lame duck" originated as a description of stockbrokers in 1700s England who could not pay off their debts. The name later carried over to those in business who would continue to do business while being bankrupt.
In politics, a lame duck is a person currently holding a political office who has either:
- lost a re-election bid,
- chosen not to seek another term,
- been prevented from running for re-election due to a term limit,
- or holds a position that has been eliminated.
Basically, a "Lame Duck" is someone who is still in office but has no real power because their "time is up." That doesn't mean they get to choose not to report to work. It means they still have to show up, but aren't really starting any new projects. In fact, no expects them to make any big changes.
The 20th Amendment
Before the ratification of the 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution, Congress had a 13-month delay between election day and the day the newly elected officials took office. In other words, the lame-duck was given a 13-month termination notice, crippling their influence. Hence the 'lame' or injured duck.
An awful lot of people are confused as to just what is meant by a lame duck Congress. It's like where some fellows worked for you and their work wasn't satisfactory and you let 'em out, but after you fired 'em, you let 'em stay long enough so they could burn your house down. - Will Rogers
The same rule applied to the President of the U.S. The 20th Amendment changed the date the newly elected president took office from March 4th to January 20th.
During a lame-duck session, members of Congress are no longer accountable to their constituents. As a result, their focus can switch to more personal gain instead of acting on behalf of their constituents with an eye toward re-election. A year seems like a long time for someone to leave office. Right?
The 20th Amendment shortened this period from 13 months to 2 months. While lame-duck sessions still occur (20 such sessions have occurred since the amendment took effect in 1935), there is less time for sweeping legislation to be approved. Even so, lame-duck Congresses have declared war, impeached a President, censured a Senator, and passed the Homeland Security Act, among other actions.
This Lame Duck period is also considered a time when the peaceful transition of power occurs. Or, should occur. Preparations are made for the outgoing President to leave the office and the newly elected President to take over the role. It's a time of transition and opportunity for both the soon-to-be former President to step aside gracefully and allow the income President to begin service.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL LAME DUCK DAY
If you are a Lame Duck, reflect on what you have learned and your successes and triumphs. If you personally know a Lame Duck, say thank you, give recognition for their success, and support their future. Enjoy today in everything you do and share the information you learned about Lame Duck Day. Use #NationalLameDuckDay to share the knowledge you've learned on social media. Who knows, you might share something that could help understand the a transition of office.
NATIONAL LAME DUCK DAY HISTORY
National Lame Duck Day commemorates the date in 1933 that the U.S. Secretary of State proclaimed the 20th Amendment ratified.
Lame Duck FAQ
Q. Are there other idioms like "lame duck" that use animals to describe a situation?
A. Yes. Some particularly fun ones include:
- Horseplay
- In the dog house
- Wild goose chase
- Fly on the wall
- Elephant in the room
- Get one's ducks in a row
- When pigs fly