A lame-duck session occurs when Congress meets after an election while outgoing members still hold voting power to approve laws and, in the Senate''s case, confirm nominees. Before the 20th Amendment''s ratification in 1933, new members elected in November wouldn''t take office until the following March, creating a four-month gap where defeated lawmakers passed last-minute legislation without accountability to voters. The term originated in 1830s Britain, describing businessmen facing financial troubles who resembled wounded game birds. The Constitutional Convention didn''t purposefully create this gap; it resulted from the happenstance timing of when states ratified the original Constitution. The 20th Amendment shortened the transition period to January, limiting defeated officials'' power to obstruct incoming administrations or push through controversial measures. Modern lame-duck sessions still occur between November elections and January inaugurations, though the reduced timeframe makes government more accountable to voters.