The length of the recess preceding a lame duck session has also varied. Congress suspended its session during the election period preceding 12 lame duck sessions since 1935. These Congresses also met during the lame duck session. This change virtually eliminated the necessity of there being a lame duck session of Congress. This termination represents the latest sine die adjournment among the 15 lame duck sessions. This change eliminated the extended lame duck congressional sessions. Congress recessed on September 23 and convened for the lame duck session on November 27. He returned to Washington for the lame duck session of the 36th Congress. Despite his lame duck status, Lea continued to work on the progressive agenda. This session was commonly called the "lame duck session". By then a lame duck in office, Roosevelt was reluctant to involve Congress. With the MBW a lame duck, its last weeks were its most inglorious period. Lame duck sessions since 1935 have typically lasted about a month. No lame duck session since 1935 has occurred through this means. Congress convened the lame duck session on November 16, 1970.