The Executive Branch 5 4 Presidential Succession Todays

The Executive Branch 5. 4: Presidential Succession

Today’s Agenda • • Check and go over HW (5. 3 Electing the President) 5. 4 Slide Show Homework Look over Chapter 5 notes for Quiz Thursday

The Roman Empire was vast and powerful. But it had one major flaw.

Beware the Ides of March

Why Rome Fell. • One of the primary reasons the Roman Empire collapsed was because it lacked a clear line of succession. When Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, various factions began to fight for control of the government. The Roman Senate, Mark Anthony & Cleopatra and Caesar’s 18 year old nephew, Octavius all asserted that they were the rightful claimants to the throne. During a 33 year period in the mid 200 s AD, there were fourteen “barracks emperors” who took control by assassinating their predecessor. As a result, the Roman Empire gradually began to crumble from within.

What about America?

What is Presidential Succession? • Presidential Succession – plan by which a presidential vacancy is filled • 25 th Amendment (1967) – Vice President will become President if the President is removed from office • Presidential Succession Act – set the order of succession following the Vice President • There is never a question as to who will be in charge

What if the president becomes unable to serve? • 25 th Amendment provides procedures to follow when the President is disabled • Vice President becomes acting President if • the President informs Congress “that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, ” or • the Vice President and a majority of members the Cabinet inform Congress that the President is thus incapacitated • Ronald Reagan began to show signs of Alzheimer’s disease during his second term • public largely unaware of his condition Begin 1: 57: 00 Skip to 2: 14: 20

What are the duties of the Vice Presidency? • Constitution only gives the Vice President two duties besides becoming President if the President is removed from office: 1) preside over the Senate 2) help decide the question of presidential disability • Today, the Vice President often performs diplomatic and political chores for the President

Ticket Out Reading Comprehension Activity • Read page 108 in your textbook and answer questions 1 -5 (IN COMPLETE SENTENCES)