U.S. Constitution - Bill of Rights
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.
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