What Is a Summary of the 25th Amendment?
The 25th Amendment outlines the rules of succession to the U.S. Presidency and Vice Presidency in the event of either or both of them dying, withdrawing or being removed from office. It was certified on February 23, 1967, by President Lyndon Johnson.
The 25th Amendment is divided into four sections. In the first section, the amendment states that the Vice President becomes President after the removal, resignation or death of the President.
Section 2 states that if the Vice President’s office is vacant, the President nominates a successor. Both chambers of Congress must establish a majority vote for to confirm the nomination.
Section 3 outlines what happens if the President is too ill or disabled to serve, but only needs a temporary replacement. In this situation, the President gives a written declaration to Congress. The Vice President becomes Acting President and remains so until the President writes another declaration to resume office.
Section 4 further explains what happens if the President is unable to give temporary power to the Vice President due to illness. Congress leaders can petition to remove the President from power in cases where he is too ill to write a declaration. Under the houses’ written declarations, the Vice President becomes Acting President. The President then has a chance to petition if he feels he can fulfill the duties of office.
The 25th Amendment was first used in 1973 when President Richard Nixon nominated Gerald Ford as Vice President after the resignation of Spiro Agnew. A few months later, it was used again when Nixon resigned and Ford became President. Ford then nominated Nelson Rockefeller as his Vice President.
