The Twentieth Amendment is a constitutional amendment ratified in 1933 that sets the terms of presidential and congressional terms. It is also known as the "Lame Duck Amendment" because it shortened the period between election day and inauguration day for the president and members of Congress. Synonyms for the Twentieth Amendment include the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution, the Presidential Inauguration Amendment, the Inauguration Date Change Amendment, and the Presidential and Congressional Term Amendment. Regardless of the name, the Twentieth Amendment has played a critical role in American politics, ensuring a smooth transition of power and preventing lame duck officials from making significant policy decisions.