In the context of presidential and vice-presidential vacancies in the United States, discuss the provisions of the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the Constitution.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary.One of the questions left unanswered by the U.S. Constitution was what the vice president should do if the president becomes incapable of carrying out necessary duties while in office. The Twenty-fifth Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1967, filled this gap.The amendment states that when the president believes that he or she is incapable of performing the duties of the office, he or she must inform Congress in writing of this fact. When the president is unable to communicate, a majority of the cabinet, including the vice president, can declare that fact to Congress.In either case, the vice president then serves as acting president until the president resumes normal duties. If a dispute arises over the return of the president's ability to discharge the normal functions of the presidential office, a two-thirds vote of both chambers of Congress is required if the vice president is to remain acting president. Otherwise, the president resumes these duties.The Twenty-fifth Amendment also addresses the question of how the president should fill a vacant vice presidency. Section 2 of the amendment states, "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."