Amend25C2

=25C2= =Twenty-Fifth Amendment=

There was one main issue that prompted the creation of the 25th amendment, this was the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. When he died, there was no one to take over for him. In the original Constitution, it was not clear whether, in case of a President's death, the Vice President would become the permanent President, or just the Acting President. This prompted Congress to add something to the amendment that would specify what would happen in this kind of situation. The 25th amendment did not have a large impact on American society when it was first created. This is because, the amendment was not actually put into effect until 6 years after it was created. However, it reassured the citizens that whatever happened to the President, there would always be a solution. This was important, because America was in the middle of the cold war at that time.
 * Essential Questions: **
 * What issues prompted the creation of your amendment? (R.A)**
 * What impact did your amendment have on society at that time?****(R.A)**

The 25th (XXV) amendment is located in Article II, Section 1, Clause 6. It is made up of four different sections. The first section essentially states that the Vice President will become the President if the president resigns, dies or is removed from power. The second section states that if there is no Vice President, the Presiden t has the power to select a new one, but the President's choice must be approved by Congress. The third section states that the President may temporarily pass their power to the Vice President. The fourth section states that, in an emergency, the Vice President, along with members of the cabinet, are allowed to declare the President unfit for his/her job. This amendment was ratified with a majority vote on February 10, 1967.
 * What is the 25th amendment? (R.A) (F.C)**

** 1. Why was the 25th amendment created? (R.A) ** It was instituted to specify that the Vice President would become the President if the president were to resign, die or be removed from office. The original Constitution did not clarify whether the Vice President would become the President or just Acting President if anything happened to the President. The 25th amendment was created to determine this.

The people who are credited for the proposal of the 25th amendment are Birch Bayh and Emanuel Celler. They introduced resolutions that would clarify the original rules on Presidential succession stated in the Constitution. This originally was a problem because when John F Kennedy died there was no one to take his position as President.
 * 2. Who suggested the amendment? (F.C)**

Congress approved the amendment on July 6th, 1965, but it had to go through two other stages before being included in the Constitution. The amendment was not actually ratified by the States until February 10th, 1967. Thirteen days after ratification, President Lyndon Johnson ce rtified the amendment and it was added to the Constitution. The first use of the 25th amendment was by President Richard Nixon. In 1973 he proposed that Gerald R. Ford should take upon his position by letting him become Vice President. In less than one year it was used again but in a different way. This time President Richard Nixon resigned from power causing Gerald Ford to become President. As President he had to select a new Vice President; he suggested Nelson Rockefeller.
 * 3. When did congress approve the amendment?** **(R.A)**
 * 4. When was the amendment first used? (F.C) **

The 25th amendment has been enforced six times following its ratification. The amendment has been invoked in 1973, when Vice President Agnew resigned; in 1974, when President Nixon resigned; in 1974, when Nelson Rockefeller became Vice President; in 1985, when Vice President George Bush became acting president; in 2002, when Vice President Richard Cheney became acting President; in 2007, when Vice President Richard Cheney became acting President again. The first use of the 25th amendment was in 1973, by President Richard Nixon. Vice President Agnew resigned, after he faced criminal charges, this meant President Richard Nixon had to appoint a new Vice President; this involved the second section. The second use was in 1974, after the resignation of President Nixon. There was a lot of evidence against Nixon related to the Watergate Scandal, he decided to resign, rather than be removed from office meaning Vice President Ford became President; this involved the first section. The third use was in 1974, when Ford became President, there was a Vice Presidential vacancy. President Ford suggested Nelson Rockefeller to become the new Vice, his selection was approved by the Senate; this involved the first section.
 * 5. How many times has the amendment been invoked? (R.A)**
 * 6. What were the first three situations in which the amendment had been used? (R.A)**

If there was both a Presidential and Vice Presidential vacancy at the same time, the Speaker of the House becomes Acting President. For example, if Barack Obama and Joe Biden died on the same day there would be no President or Vice President. In this case, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Paul Ryan, would become the Acting President until a new President and Vice President were selected.
 * 7. What would happen if both the President and Vice President died on the same day? (R.A)**

If the President resigned and Vice President became President the new President has to suggest a Vice. The way they did this was once the President suggested a Vice President the suggestion was sent down to Congress-the legislative branch, to be approved. In order for there to be a new Vice President, the House of Representatives and the Senate have to give a majority vote. If they had a two-thirds vote for the suggested Vice, that suggested Vice would become the Vice President.
 * 8.What is the procedure for finding a new Vice President? (F.C)**

In order for the Vice President to actually become the President, after the President has either died, resigned, or been removed from power, the Vice President must make an oath. This oath is called the Presidential Oath of Office. Any Pr esident must make this oath when they first become President. The Vice President must swear that he/she will always "faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States." They must also swear that they will always follow the Constitution to the best of their ability.
 * 9. What does the Vice President have to do to become President? (F.C)**

This amendment was first used at Michigan. It was used there because of Richard Nixon resigned from power after being accused of being involved with the Watergate Scandal. The Watergate Scandal was a break-in to the Democratic National Committee, some burglars were caught trying to steal confidential papers. After his action the Vice President had to take over as the President.
 * 10. Where was the 25th amendments second use? (F.C)**