Twentieth Amendment ratified
The Twentieth Amendment, ratified in the early 20th century, addresses the timing of federal elected officials' terms and reduces the gap between elections and the start of their terms. Primarily sponsored by Nebraska senator George W. Norris, the amendment emerged from the realization that the lengthy period between November elections and March inaugurations often resulted in "lame-duck" sessions where outgoing officials lacked legislative authority. This amendment modernized the electoral process, recognizing advances in transportation and communication that made the previous delays unnecessary.
Key provisions of the Twentieth Amendment include the establishment of January 3 as the official start date for congressional sessions and a clear protocol for presidential succession in the event of the president-elect's death. It also delineates the roles of Congress in selecting a president or vice president if the need arises. The amendment significantly improved the efficiency of congressional operations, as evidenced by its immediate impact during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's early efforts to address the Great Depression. Overall, the Twentieth Amendment reflects a crucial evolution in the American political system, enhancing the responsiveness and effectiveness of government.
On this Page
Twentieth Amendment ratified
The Law Amendment to the U.S. Constitution revising the start and end dates of elected federal officials
Also known as Lame Duck Amendment
Dates Proposed on March 2, 1932; ratified on January 23, 1933
The U.S. Constitution originally required newly elected presidents and vice presidents to begin their terms on March 4, and members of Congress on March 3, of the year following election. The amendment modified these start dates to January 20, and January 3, respectively. The proposal and ratification of this amendment coincided with President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first four-year term and with the implementation of many aspects of the “New Deal.”
Nebraska senator George W. Norris is considered the primary sponsor and author of the Twentieth Amendment. Like many other congressmen, Senator Norris was aware of the significant gap between elections in November and the actual start of the terms in March of the following year. This gap was often referred to as a “lame-duck session” because those officials completing their terms who were either not reelected or who voluntarily discontinued their service were often considered to be unproductive and lacked sufficient legislative authority.
The Twentieth Amendment also modernized election start terms. When the Twentieth Amendment was initially proposed in 1932, Congress acknowledged there was no longer a need for extensive travel time as was necessary in the earlier days of long carriage rides. Additionally, widespread communication of election results was vastly improved by the 1930’s, which also supported a shorter gap between election and the starts of terms. One of the first recognized changes of the amendment was the movement of start dates for elected federal officials.
Although the impetus for the ratification of the Twentieth Amendment focused mainly on moving the start dates for elected officials, the amendment addressed other important issues also. It made official the requirement for Congress to meet at least once a year, with the first day of the session beginning on January 3. The amendment also outlined the procedure in the case of the death of the president-elect. Specifically, it states that should this occur between November and January, the vice president-elect will take office until Congress can determine who shall qualify for the office of the president. Finally, the amendment specifies the role of Congress in choosing presidents and vice presidents should the decision fall to them. Specifically, the House of Representatives would select presidents and the Senate would select vice presidents.
Impact
Prior to the ratification of the Twentieth Amendment, President Roosevelt had to wait four months before he could address the impact of the Great Depression. Similarly, in an effort to combat the economic downturn at the start of his presidency, President Roosevelt was also implementing what were called “New Deal” policies that required swift action in Congress. The ratification of the Twentieth Amendment reduced the wait time by two months, improving the functionality of Congress in implementing the New Deal policies.
Bibliography
Levy, Leonard W., Kenneth L. Karst, and Adam Winkler. Encyclopedia of the American Constitution. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2000.
Nagle, John Copeland. “A Twentieth Amendment Parable.” New York University Law Review 72 (May, 1997).
Palmer, Kris E. Constitutional Amendments, 1789 to the Present. Detroit: Gale Group, 2000.