{"id":30974,"date":"2016-04-04T20:34:02","date_gmt":"2016-04-05T01:34:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-legal\/constitution\/amendment20.html"},"modified":"2024-08-21T20:08:49","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T01:08:49","slug":"amendment20","status":"publish","type":"constitution","link":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/amendment20.html","title":{"rendered":"Twentieth Amendment: Changes to Presidential Term and Succession"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Twentieth Amendment: Changes to Presidential Term and Succession<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Edward Maggio, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Prior to the 20th Amendment’s ratification in 1933, newly elected presidents, vice presidents, and members of Congress had to wait months to take office. This led to "lame duck" politicians and congressional sessions, which often left the country in a vulnerable position, especially regarding responding to emergencies. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

The 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution altered the start dates for the terms of the President, Vice President, and Congress members. It also moved the annual meeting date of Congress from March 4 to January 3 and established a contingency plan if the President-elect passed away between the election and the inauguration.<\/p>\r\n

The 20th Amendment generated little public controversy. In fact, the Supreme Court has never had to decide a case based on it.<\/p>\r\n

The article provides a summary of the 20th Amendment, starting with its text and an explanation of its significance. It proceeds to outline the historical context and the motivations behind Congress’s proposal of the amendment.<\/p>\r\n

What the Twentieth Amendment Says<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

"The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on October 15 following the ratification of this article.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission."<\/i><\/p>\r\n

What the Twentieth Amendment Means<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The 20th Amendment modified several parts of the U.S. Constitution<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n