rjnoe@ihlts.UUCP (11/11/83)
I know that the Vice President takes on the duties of the President if the latter becomes unable to fulfill those duties. This became law in 1967 with the 25th (??) amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I also know that the Speaker of the House and the Secretary of State (in that order) succeed the Vice President. What I would like to know is what law (it's not in the Constitution, I'm fairly certain) provides for this? And which positions continue the succession? My guess (after Secretary of State) would be Secretary of Defense (because if the first four are gone, something is terribly wrong and you might want the military in on this). Are the Senate majority leader or other cabinet members in on this list? If anyone knows answers or has suggestions where this information might be located, I'd appreciate mail on this item. I will of course post a follow up to this newsgroup. Thanks. -- Roger Noe ...ihnp4!ihlts!rjnoe
eder@ssc-vax.UUCP (Dani Eder) (11/19/83)
United States Constitution, Amendment XXV: [Presidential disability and
sucession]
1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or
resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
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.
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.
4. ...
Dani Eder
Boeing Aerospace
ssc-vax!ederrigney@uokvax.UUCP (11/24/83)
#R:ihlts:-26400:uokvax:5000018:000:838 uokvax!rigney Nov 15 01:17:00 1983 An additional question that's always interested me (but then, I have a morbid mind): we know the president is never far from "the football," a briefcase containing the codes to authorize a nuclear strike. If the president is killed or incapacitated, who gets the football? Is there a spare with the VP? (Almost certainly not! Certainly not with the Speaker, etc., etc.) Does the agent with the football make a mad dash to the VP, and/or vice versa? Just how far down does the line of succession go, and are all these people in Washington at one time? Of course the VP and P don't travel on the same plane, but how far does that extend? And has anyone seen the NatLamp cartoon about a Secretary of some minor dept or another plotting to remove all those ahead of him in the line of succession?:-) Carl ..!ctvax!uokvax!rigney