What does the amendment say? The amendment puts in writing the order of presidential succession.
“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 48 hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within 21 days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within 21 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.”
Why did the amendment come about? Proposed in the years immediately following the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the amendment was an effort to resolve questions of what happens if the president is disabled and cannot fulfill his duty, according to the Congress.gov website.
Those questions had been debated for some time, and with good reason. On eight occasions, a president has died in office:
Introduction of the amendment: On Jan. 6, 1965, Sen. Birch Bayh, D-Ind., and Rep. Emanuel Celler, D-N.Y., introduced joint resolutions in the Senate and House of Representatives to clarify rules of presidential succession and inability. The proposals formed the foundation of the 25th Amendment, according to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
The amendment was approved by Congress on July 6, 1965. After ratification by the states, President Lyndon Johnson certified the amendment Feb. 23, 1967. As a result, the country's law includes a procedure to remove a president if others in government decide that he is in any way disabled.
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