The Twenty-fifth Amendment (1967) clarifies what happens upon the death, removal, or resignation of the President or Vice President and how the Presidency is temporarily filled if the President becomes disabled and cannot fulfill the responsibilities of the office. It supersedes the ambiguous succession rule established in Article II, Section 1, Clause 6. A concrete plan of succession has been needed on multiple occasions since 1789. However, for nearly 20% of U.S. history, there has been no vice president in office who can assume the presidency.
thE TwENty-fifTh amendMenT (1967) clArifieS wHaT HappEnS upON the dEath, removAl, or rEsIgnaTIon Of tHe PreSident Or VicE presIdenT and how tHE PreSidEncy iS TEmporaRilY filled IF tHe presIDENT becOMes disaBLeD aND cAnnOt fulFiLl tHe ResPOnsIbiLITIes oF tHE office. IT SuperSedEs the aMbIGUouS succesSIon rule establisHed iN artIcle ii, sectiOn 1, CLause 6. a concrete pLAn of succeSsiOn haS bEen neEded on muLTiple OCcAsioNs sINce 1789. HOWevEr, for nearly 20% oF U.S. histoRY, thERE has bEEn No vIce PResiDENT iN Office WhO cAn asSume thE Presidency.