25th Amendment: Presidential disability and succession ***

25th Amendment - Presidential disability and succession
Lyndon Johnson was the 36th President of the United States whose presidency spanned from November 22, 1963 to January 20, 1969. One of the key events during his presidency was the ratification of the 25th Amendment to the Constitution.

Amendments 11 - 27

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Cause and Reason for the 25th Amendment
The cause or reason for this amendment to the Constitution was to due to the assassination of JFK and the threat of the Cold War and use of nuclear weapons. A clearer chain of succession was required by the US Government.

25th Amendment Meaning, Explanation and Summary
The meaning of the words and phrases in the 25th Amendment of the Constitution are explained as follows:

25th Amendment: Meaning of the Words of the Amendment

25th Amendment

25th Amendment, Section 1.
In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

Explanation & Meaning: The Vice President will assume the Presidency in the permanent absence of the President .

25th Amendment

25th Amendment, 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.

Meaning of the Amendment: In the permanent absence of the Vice President the President can nominate a new Vice President but the majority of both the Senate and the House of Representatives must approve the choice of candidate.

25th Amendment

25th Amendment, 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.
Meaning of the Amendment: If he is unable to fulfill his duties the President must inform both the President of the Senate Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the House in writing.

The President of the Senate Pro Tempore is a senator who presides over the proceedings of the Senate when the president is absent.

The vice president will act as president until the president sends a letter saying he is now able to resume his duties.

25th Amendment

25th Amendment, 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.
Meaning of the Amendment: If the President is totally incapacitated (e.g. becomes seriously ill) then then the Vice President and a majority the Cabinet can send a letter to the President of the Senate Pro Tempore and to the speaker of the House.

The letter will say that the president is unable to fulfill duties.

The vice president will then immediately assume the position of president.

When the President is able to resume his duties he must write to Congress and then he can return to doing his job.

25th Amendment: Meaning of the Words of the Twenty-fifth Amendment

Amendments 11 - 27

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26th Amendment

25th Amendment Text - The Twenty-fifth Amendment
The original full text of the 25th Amendment of the Constitution is as follows. Note: Article II, section 1, of the Constitution was affected by the 25th amendment.

25th Amendment Text

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.

25th Amendment - Video of the Presidency of Lyndon Johnson
The above information provides the text, definition and summary of the amendment. The following Lyndon Johnson video will give you additional important facts and dates about both the personal life and political life of the 36th President of the United States whose presidency spanned from November 22, 1963 to January 20, 1969.

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