The

th 25

Amendment

By Tiffany Browne and Karisa Myers

Quick Facts


Proposed: July 6th, 1965 Ratified: February 10th, 1967

Eisenhower-Nixon agreement initially spawned the idea for the amendment. The 25th Amendment outlines the rules for succession of the Presidency. The Vice President is the first person to take the position of President if the President is unable to preform his duties (or is removed). Written declaration of inability has to be given to the President pro-Tempore of the Senate for this to take place .

A Brief History


When Eisenhower was President, he had many medical issues. He and then Vice President Nixon entered into an agreement that would allow Nixon to become Acting President while Eisenhower was ill. When President Kennedy was assassinated Congress knew that something had to be done at risk of Vice President not being able to fulfill Presidential duties. No one knew who would have the power of the Presidency. After the 25th Amendment was passed, the people were more at ease just in case the President became unable to do his job

The Politics


The passage of the 25th Amendment was supported by both sides of the political aisle. This Amendment allowed for the power of the Presidency to still be in check even if the elected President was not around. After this Amendment was passed it was more important to pick a President with a good Vice Presidential candidate in case a situation would arise where this Amendment would come into play.

In Recent Years


There has been no use of the 25th Amendment since the resignation of President Richard Nixon who was succeeded by his second Vice President Gerald Ford. Little debate has ensued over the amendment since passage. There has been some talk about making section four of the amendment (which deems whether or not the president is able to declare himself unable to preform his duties) more specific. Changes have yet to be made.