Presidential Succession

1
Presidential Succession
2
When something happens to the President, who
takes over?

• Has only happened 9 times
• 25th Amendment (1967) officially states that
  the Vice President is first in line of succession
• Speaker of the House
• President Pro Tempore
• Secretary of State
• 5-18. 13 heads of the Cabinet Departments (order
  determined by Congress)

3
Presidential Disability

• President informs Congress in writing
• V-President and a majority of the Cabinet members
  inform Congress in writing
• President can resume power when able to
• 1985 (Regan gave power to Bush during a surgury)
• 2002 (Bush gave power to Cheney for 2 hours
  during a medical procedure)

4
Vice Presidential Succession

• Has happened 18 times (Presidential resignations,
  death, v-p resignations)
• President nominates a new VP
• Must be confirmed by a majority vote in Congress