lame-duck session

American  

[leym-duhk] / ˈleɪmˈdʌk /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of lame-duck session

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Example Sentences

And they did all this in a lame-duck session after losing their veto-proof majority in the state 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

Nonetheless, he and other proponents recommended the state legislature move swiftly to enact the change during a lame-duck session.

From Washington Post