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Presidential succession refers to the individuals who will succeed the president of the United States should he die in office, resign, be removed or be unable to discharge the duties of the office.
Constitutional Provisions
The U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 1, identifies the vice president as the president's successor if he dies, resigns, is removed or can no longer perform the duties of the office until such time as a new president is elected. It allows Congress the power to identify the officer or officers who would succeed should such a situation encompass both the president and vice president.
Presidential Succession Act of 1792
According to the official history of the U.S. Senate, in 1792 Congress created a line of succession following the president and vice president. They placed the president pro tempore of the Senate behind the vice president, followed by the speaker of the house.
Presidential Succession Act of 1886
In 1886 Congress changed the presidential line of succession by removing the president pro tempore of the Senate and the speaker of the house and replacing them with the president's cabinet by rank, beginning with the secretary of state.
Presidential Succession Act of 1947
In 1947, Congress changed the line of succession again by inserting the speaker of the house and the president pro tempore of the Senate once again ahead of the president's cabinet.
The 25th Amendment
In 1965 Congress passed the 25th Amendment, which was ratified by the states in 1967, further refining the succession procedures for president and vice president.
Source:
The Constitution of the United States, U.S. Archives
Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, U.S. Archives
United States Senate, Historical Minute Essays, Presidential Succession
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