Amendment XXV
Section 1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death
or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy
in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President
who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of
Congress.
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.
Section 4. Whenever the Vice President
and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments
or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President
pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their
written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and
duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers
and duties of the office as Acting President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the
Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration
that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office
unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of
the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide,
transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the
Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President
is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress
shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose
if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of
the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one
days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of
both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties
of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting
President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his
office.
Vocabulary:
confirmation - verification
or authorizing something
discharge - to perform one's
job or duties
President Pro Temporare - the
senator who presides over the Senate when the vice-president is not there
Speaker of the House - the presiding
officer of the House of Representatives
Rewrite Amendment in your own words
in the space below. Print it out and give it to your instructor or teacher or
copy and paste it into an e-mail to send him/her.
Discussion Questions:
This amendment provides rules
for when a president is unable to fulfil the duties of the office. Are these
adequate or are there any other rules you would suggest - or are these too
restrictive?
