Whenever the office of President of the United States becomes vacant due to
“removal ... death or resignation” of the chief executive, the Constitution provides
that “the Vice President shall become President.” When the office of Vice President
becomes vacant for any reason, the President nominates a successor, who must be
confirmed by a majority vote of both houses of Congress. If both of these offices are
vacant simultaneously, then, under the Succession Act of 1947, the Speaker of the
House of Representatives becomes President, after resigning from the House and as
Speaker. If the speakership is also vacant, then the President Pro Tempore of the
Senate becomes President, after resigning from the Senate and as President Pro
Tempore. If both of these offices are vacant, or if the incumbents fail to qualify for
any reason, then cabinet officers are eligible to succeed, in the order established by
law (3 U.S.C. §19, see Table 3). In every case, a potential successor must be duly
sworn in his or her previous office, and must meet other constitutional requirements
for the presidency, i.e., be at least 35 years of age, a “natural born citizen,” and for
14 years, a “resident within the United States.”