presidential succession?
• What are the constitutional provisions for
presidential disability?
• What is the role of the Vice President?
The Constitution and Succession
• Presidential succession is the plan by which a presidential vacancy is filled.
• The 25th Amendment, ratified in 1967, made it clear that the Vice President will become President if the President is removed from office.
• The Presidential Succession Act of 1947 set the order of succession following the Vice President.
•United States presidential line of succession
Presidential Disability
• Sections 3 and 4 of the 25th Amendment provide procedures to follow when the President is disabled.
• The Vice President is to become acting President if (1) the President informs Congress, in writing, “that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,” or (2) the Vice President and a majority of the members of the Cabinet inform Congress, in writing, that the President is thus incapacitated. A President whose duties have been temporarily assumed by the VP may reclaim his or her office by informing Congress that he or she is not longer disabled, provided the VP and a majority of the Cabinet do not challenge his or her decision.
The Vice Presidency
• The Constitution only gives the Vice President two duties besides becoming President if the President is removed from office:
1) to preside over the Senate, and
2) to help decide the question of presidential disability.
• If the office of Vice President becomes vacant, the President nominates a new Vice President subject to the approval of Congress. (has happened 18 times in our history….9 times by succession to the presidency, 2 by resignation, 7 times by death)
• The VP cannot be removed from office by the President
• Today, the Vice President often performs diplomatic and political chores for the President.
• Presidential candidates try to choose vice-presidential candidates who will help “balance the ticket” politically.
Review Questions:
In case the President is disabled, the way the Vice President becomes President is determined by the
a. original Constitution. c. Twenty-Fifth Amendment.
b. Presidential Succession Act. d. Congress.
The President may decide to resume duties after an illness by informing Congress that no inability exists, but that decision can be challenged by
a. Congress.
b. the Vice President.
c. the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet.
d. any representative in the House of Representatives.
Which of the following is a way that presidential disability is determined?
a. The Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet inform Congress in writing.
b. The Senate states, in writing, that the President is incapacitated.
c. The President gives a speech explaining who will take over.
d. Congress asks the Vice President to evaluate the President's condition.
Answers: C / C / A