Former Tennessee Attorney General Paul G. Summers writes this regular column on the history of the U.S. Constitution.

One of the most important, but least discussed, constitutional amendments made government more responsive by greatly shorting the time outgoing elected officials have a role in passing laws.

The 20th Amendment to the Constitution is often called the “Lame Duck Amendment.” It shortened the time between the November election and when Congress and the Executive Branch officials ...

Inauguration Day has officially been Jan. 20 (or Jan. 21 if the 20th falls on a Sunday) since 1937, after the 20th Amendment was passed, according to the National Archives.