So now the election is over (Yes!), but the new Congress hasn’t been sworn in, and there’s still some unfinished business to attend to–like keeping the government open.
So, what to do? Enter the “Lame Duck”.
The term originated in the London Stock Exchange, referring to members who lost their privileges because they couldn’t meet their obligations and “waddled” away in shame.
In US politics, it refers to an official in the final period of office, after an election of a successor, who is on his or her way out and therefore has less influence than before. It also refers to the actual legislative session, referred to simply as “the Lame Duck”, between the election and installation of the new Congress in January.
Contrary to assumptions, “Lame Ducks” are not always fruitless, and in fact can be quite productive. For one thing, most of the same legislators will return next year, with a small minority of new faces, so there is residual experience and influence. There can also be major incentives to get things done in a hurry. This year, for example, the Democrats still control the White House, Senate, and House (which will flip in January) so would like to pass as many of their key measures as possible before gridlock likely sets in next year.
Key measures involve money, of course. The government runs out on December 16, so either they need to pass a massive new budget through September 30 (highly unlikely) or a short-term stopgap “continuing resolution” to buy themselves more time. An even bigger deal is the need to raise the country’s debt ceiling, since not doing so would have a major ripple effect on the entire world economy (though this could be done next year, but the politics will be more fraught).
Oh, and then there’s legislation to protect same-sex and interracial marriage (the Respect for Marriage Act, a sure thing), the avoidance of a potentially crippling railroad strike that would disrupt supply chains and devastate the economy, protection of voting rights, and a handful of other key issues.
Congress often leaves things until the last possible minute, so we’re used to this. In December 2017, poor Michael Kaiser (Executive Vice President and Director of Government Affairs) had very little time to spend with his young family over the holidays because the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act was passed as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act right before New Years.
Hopefully this year will leave them more time to celebrate together.
