100 likes | 464 Views
The 20 th Amendment (The Lame Duck Amendment). Robert White 3B. The 20 th Amendment. Proposed ……………March 2, 1932 Ratified ……………...January 23, 1933 Took Effect………….October 15, 1933* * As stated in Section 5 of the amendment. What does it do???.
E N D
The 20th Amendment(The Lame Duck Amendment) Robert White 3B
The 20th Amendment • Proposed ……………March 2, 1932 • Ratified ……………...January 23, 1933 • Took Effect………….October 15, 1933* *As stated in Section 5 of the amendment
What does it do??? • It changes inauguration day from March 4th, to January 20th. • Clarifies that the V.P.-elect takes office if the President-elect dies or is found to be unqualified.
Why is it important?? • It shortened the “Lame Duck*” time between Election Day and Inauguration Day. • Election day = November • Old Inauguration= March • New Inauguration= January * see next slide
What is a “Lame Duck?” • A member of congress who was defeated for reelection, but remains in office until the new set of congressmen take office.
Why is that important??? • The four month gap between election and inauguration leaves no time for congress to get much anything done. • The Lame Ducks who are just riding out their terms are unmotivated—no time to get anything done.
Clarification • Before: November December January February March After: November December January
Scenario • I am a congressman in 1933 • On election day, I do not get reelected. • Therefore, I am a lame duck and there is no time for me to make any legislative progress. • I am just riding out my term until the elected congressman takes my place. • Congress doesn’t like lame ducks. • So they pass the 20th amendment, and shorten the Lame Duck period.
Back in the day… • It was necessary to have such a large time gap. i.e. travel, count votes, get the word out, etc. • Now a days, we know who wins the elections just hours after the polls close. • We have faster means of transportation.