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presidential succession
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presidential succession

United States government
Also known as: United States presidential line of succession
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Presidential succession in the United States outlines who assumes the presidency if the president is unable to serve. The Vice President is first in line, as codified by the Twenty-fifth Amendment. This amendment also details procedures for presidential disability and filling a vacancy in the vice presidency. Historically, the line of succession has evolved, with Congress passing various acts to define who follows the Vice President, including the Speaker of the House and the president pro tempore of the Senate. A peaceful transition of power is crucial for a democracy.12

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. Twenty-fifth Amendment: Top Questions
  2. The Surprisingly Disorderly History of the U.S. Presidential Succession Order
  3. vice president of the United States of America

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