Who would become US President when both the President and Vice President die?
Fortunately for the USA, there has never been a case, in which any statesman except the vice president had to take office instead of the president. The law, which regulates the hierarchy of succession, is called the Presidential Succession Act. It was first signed during George Washington's presidential term. The act has been changed several times since then.
The last version of the Presidential Succession Act was passed in 1947. By signing it, Harry Truman placed the speaker of the house next to the vice president in the line of succession. The Senate president pro tempore comes next in the hierarchy. So, if the speaker is unable to assume office, he is replaced by him.
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What are your thoughts on this subject?
112 Comments
xadiganmay
Someone who doesn't know the difference between 'no' and 'know'.
Debbie Dunton
I would expect most people who know that could spell "know".
Mark Krijgsman
People who are not from america..... you do know there is a whole world out there right ?
xadiganmay
Unpatriotic troll.
Sandra Caulfield
Scary thought with Pelosi in that position.
Carmine-James Pitaniello
Rick, come on now.. pony up and play by the rules of the QuizClub... not the rules of a Repubican Debate... You comment was uncalled for.
William Laughlin
That is incorrect. Ford was never the Speaker of the House.
Although he served as House minority leader, Ford's ambition to be speaker of the House seemed out of reach and, thusly, the congressman was contemplating retirement following his 13th term in the House, when it concluded in 1976. The changing political atmosphere of the '70s would dictate otherwise, however.
On October 10, 1973, Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned under allegations of income tax evasion and bribery. Two days later, President Richard Nixon nominated Gerald Ford to take his place, under the provisions of the Constitution's 25th Amendment, and in two months, Ford was sworn in as the country's 40th vice president.
When Nixon resigned the Presidency on August 8, 1974, Ford assumed the office.
Jeff Lupetin
Know way!!
Kevin Dale Streets
xadiganmay, good answer!
snowballs
I hope this doesn’t happen with this administration 🤪👍
GONavarini
homeducater, Exactly! Few get this simple fact, however.
GONavarini
bettye, Actually, Ford never served as Speaker of the House, as he was the House Minority Leader; the Speaker then was Congressman Carl Albert of Oklahoma.
homeducater
bettye, You missed where the question specified both.
If the President dies or resigns, the vp become President.
If the Vice president dies or resigns, the President selects a new Vice president.
If BOTH die or resign, the Speaker of the House becomes President.
Mike Young
Pelosi...UGH!!!!
rchysmom
Shirley Dutt, They don’t teach this stuff in school anymore. It’s all math and English and that’s it. Common core but hopefully that will change soon. I hope so.
rchysmom
bettye, I don’t think so dear
rchysmom
Oh Lawdy can you imagine if Nervous Nancy were president? Kill me now!!!
Elaine Regan
He is replaced by him. Interesting that he and him exclude she and her.
freezergoddess
Mark Krijgsman, unfortunately the Constitution specifically states that you have to be a natural born American to be eligible to even run for the presidency. I’m sure if that wasn’t a law, then we actually would be more like Russia right now.....
Jamie
Bad writing and this is def a repeat.
Kate Austin
You people just need to answer the question and stop being so picky
rnelson
Doug Faber, Ford was vp when Nixon resigned not speaker of the house. But if the question were phrased differently say..... Has anyone not elected to President or vp become President that would be Ford. You were close.
rnelson
bettye, Also wrong. Look it up.