The 'lame duck' Congress: an uninspired history  The 'lame duck'
Congress begins work this week. Sometimes, these post-election
legislative periods are do-nothing disasters.  By , Staff writer
• close     Fog envelopes Capitol Hill in Washington, at dawn
Monday, Nov. 15, as Congress begins its lame duck session,
following a long break for the midterm elections.     View
Caption  Congressional activity that occurs after an election
but before new lawmakers are sworn in, such as that now getting
under way in Washington, is called a “lame-duck session.” A
lawmaker who has been defeated but gets to return to Capitol
Hill and cast votes one last time is called a “lame duck.” Where
did this colorful avian-based language originate?  Like many
aspects of US politics, it apparently has its roots in England.
In the late 1700s, a “lame duck” was a British stockbroker who
could not meet his debts. The image seems apt – such a broker
would have damaged prospects and be unable to keep up with the
rest of his flock of pe