Legal Definitions - lame-duck session

A lame-duck session is a legislative session that takes place after an election, in which some of the participants are voting during their last days as elected officials. This means that they may not be as motivated to pass new laws or make big changes, since they will soon be leaving their positions.

For example, if a senator loses their re-election bid in November, but their term doesn't officially end until January, they may participate in a lame-duck session during that time. However, since they know they won't be returning to their position, they may not be as invested in the outcome of any bills or decisions made during that session.