More than a dozen Vice President have become President. Most of these became President when the President could no longer do the job. The others became President later in their careers. The way the presidency is filled when it becomes vacant is called presidential succession.

The Constitution and Succession

The 25th Amendment was added to the Constitution in 1967. It says the Vice President becomes President if the President dies, resigns, or is removed from office. If the Vice President were unable to serve as President, Congress has decided the order of succession. This is who comes next in line become President.

The 25th Amendment also tells what would be done in case the President became disabled. The Vice President becomes Acting Presidnet if one of thse things happen:
1. The president tells Congress that he cannot do his job.
2. The Vice President and a majority of the President's cabinet tell Congress that the President cannot do his job.

The President may go back to his duties when he says he is able to work. If the Vice President and a majority of the cabinet disagree, Congress must decide if the disability still exists.

The Vice President

The Constitution only gives the Vice President two duties. The Vice President serves as the President of teh Senate, and he helps decide if the President is disabled. Recent Presidents have given their Vice Presidents more duties. Today's Vice President often take part in cabinet meetings and advise the President. Still, the most important thing is that the Vice President is onl "a heartbeat away" from the presidency.

Some people do not think the Vice President's office is very impotant. One reason is the way that political parties pick vice presidential candidates. Usually, the party's candidate for the President chooses someone to "balance the ticket." In other words the vice presidential candidate is picked mainly to help the presidential candidate win.

The United states has been without a Vice President 18 times. Because of the 25th Amendment, the President now appoints a Vice President if the office becomes vacant. Congress must approve the choice.

Presidential Succession

1. Vice President

2. Speaker of the House

3. President pro tempore of the Senate

4. Secretary of the State

5. Secretary of the Treasury

6. Secretary of Defense

7. Attorney General

8. Secretary of the Interior

9. Secretary of Agriculture

10. Secretary of Commerce

11. Secretary of Labor

12. Secretary of Health and Human Services

13. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

14. Secretary of Transportation

15. Secretary of Energy

16. Secretary of Education

17. Secretary of Veteran Affairs

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