lame-duck session

[ leym-duhk ]

noun

1. (formerly) the December to March session of those members of the U.S. Congress who were defeated for reelection the previous November.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lame-duck session¹

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Example Sentences

Republican senators are urging some of their colleagues, including Vice President-elect JD Vance, R-Ohio, and Donald Trump's Secretary of State pick Marco Rubio, R-Florida, to get back to the office and block Democrats from confirming judges during the lame-duck session while they still have the majority and the White House.

From Salon

Then the House and Senate will return after the election for a lame-duck session and fight right into the holiday season over a longer-term spending measure, against the backdrop of the new Congress that starts in January.

From Los Angeles Times

Manchin mentioned the possibility of attaching it to legislation in a lame-duck session after the election and before the new Congress is sworn into office.

From Seattle Times

In the lame-duck session that followed Jefferson's victory in the controversial election of 1800, Adams and the Federalists created a bunch of new federal courts and packed them with supportive judges.

From Salon

The law, adopted by a lame-duck session of the Legislature in January, prohibits the possession, manufacture or sale of semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines.

From Washington Times