Presidential Succession
& Replacing the Vice President
By Arielle Johnston
What is it?
The presidential replacement line
DD*: the scheme by which a presidential vacancy is filled.
*Dictionary Definition
When would it be used?
When the President:
-dies
-resigns
-impeaches
Where in the Constitution?
The 25th Amendment
Presidential Succession Act of 1947
- gives order of replacement for President after vice president
- speaker of House, then secretaries, then cabinet members in order of precedence
Who has the power?
Two people have the power to pass the presidential position to the Vice President.
1. President
How?
Informs Congress in writing that he is unable to perform his duties as President.
2. Vice President & a majority of the Cabinet
How?
Inform the Congress in writing that the President is unable to perform duties.
How to get power back?
The President can get his position back by:
1. informing Congress that no inability exists
*Vice President & majority of the cabinet may challenge the President, then congress has 21 days to decide.
VIce President Vacancy
Once the Vice President assumes the role of the President there is a vacancy left in the Vice President spot.
To fill it, the new president (former VP) 1. can nominate a vice president
2. Both Houses of Congress must vote on the nomination
3. A majority vote approves it