25th Amendment & Presidential Succession Quiz Review
25th Amendment Section 3
Whenever the President transmits to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.
25th Amendment Section 2
Whenever there is a vacancy in office the VP, the President shall nominate a VP who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority of both Houses of Congress
Presidential Vacancy
1. 0 Presidents has ever been REMOVED from office (3 impeached, all acquitted) 2. 8 Presidents have DIED in office (4 from assassination, 4 from natural causes) 3. 1 President has RESIGNED
Who has been acquitted?
1. Andrew Johnson (1868) 2. Bill Clinton (1998-1999) 3. Donald Trump (2020)
25th Amendment Section 4
1. VP and a majority of the principal officers of the executive departments (Cabinet: 15 total) 2. Written declaration to the President Pro Tempore of Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives 3. VP shall assume the duties and office of the President. 4. Congress shall assemble within 48 hours if not already assembled. 5. Congress has 21 days to decide the issue. 6. Requires a 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress to determine that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of office.
Presidential Succession Act of 1947
1. Vice President 2. Speaker of the House 3. Pro Tempore of the Senate 4. Secretary of State
VP assumes the Office of the President
1. William H. Harrison: Death, 1841, pneumonia 2. Zachary Taylor: Death, 1850, gastroenteritis 3. Abraham Lincoln: Death, 1865, assassination 4. James A. Garfield: Death, 1881, assassination 5. William McKinley: Death, 1901, assassination 6. Warren G. Harding: Death, 1923, illness 7. John F. Kennedy: Death, 1963, assassination 8. Richard M. Nixon: Resignation, 1974
Removal From Office
Impeachment Process: 1. HOR impeaches by majority vote. 2. Senate conducts the trial, 2/3 vote required to convict and remove from office. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside over the trial.
25th Amendment Section 1
In case of removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.