What was the purpose of the 20th Amendment regarding presidential and congressional terms?

• A. To extend the terms of elected officials
• B. To change the dates for the start of presidential and congressional terms
• C. To establish a term limit for presidents
• D. To set election dates

Answer: (B)

The 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1933, primarily serves the purpose of changing the dates for the start of presidential and congressional terms. Prior to this amendment, the terms for the President and Congress began in March, which often led to delays in the new administration taking office and the Congress beginning its legislative work. The amendment shifted the start of the presidential term to January 20th and congressional terms to January 3rd, effectively streamlining the transition between outgoing and incoming officeholders. This change was intended to reduce the amount of time the outgoing president remained in office during the transition period and to allow new Congress members to start their work earlier in the year.