The Presidential Succession Act: Beyond the Vice President
1 of 12
If both the President and Vice President are unable to serve, who is next in the line of succession?
The Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Which law establishes the line of succession after the Vice President?
The Presidential Succession Act of 1947.
Who follows the Speaker of the House in the presidential line of succession?
The President pro tempore of the Senate.
After the leaders of Congress, who is next in the line of succession?
The President's Cabinet members, starting with the Secretary of State.
In what order are the Cabinet secretaries placed in the line of succession?
They are ordered by the date their respective departments were created, from oldest to newest.
Name the first four positions in the line of presidential succession.
1. Vice President
2. Speaker of the House
3. President pro tempore of the Senate
4. Secretary of State
To assume the presidency, what must be true of any person in the line of succession?
They must meet the constitutional eligibility requirements for being President (e.g., be a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a U.S. resident for 14 years).
If the Speaker of the House becomes President, what must they do regarding their congressional position?
They must resign from their position as Speaker and as a member of the House of Representatives.
Who is the first Cabinet member in the line of succession?
The Secretary of State.
Who is the second Cabinet member in the line of succession?
The Secretary of the Treasury.
Which Cabinet position is last in the line of succession?
The Secretary of Homeland Security, because it is the most recently created department.
Where does Congress get the authority to pass a law like the Presidential Succession Act?
Article II, Section 1, Clause 6 of the Constitution grants Congress the power to declare by law who shall act as President if both the President and Vice President are unable to serve.
