Congress Has Control

                    The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday comes from Article II, Section 1, Clause 6:  "[… and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.]  The intention of the Framers of the U.S. Constitution was to guarantee to the citizens that they would always have a chief executive to handle whatever situations arose.

                    "In an atomic age, and during a period of widespread assassinations and terrorism, it is highly essential that provision be made for any disaster which might deprive the nation of its top leadership just when it is needed the most.

                    "As a result, it has been provided that in the event the President and Vice President are not available, the Speaker of the House shall become President.  The next person in line is the president pro tempore of the Senate.  Next come the cabinet officers according to the seniority of their departments."  (See W. Cleon Skousen in The Making of America - The Substance and Meaning of the Constitution, p. 530.)

                    "This provision constitutes the anchor for presidential succession in the United States.  It provides for the Vice President to take over in the event of the removal, death, resignation, or inability of the President.  It also authorizes Congress to establish a line of succession beyond the vice presidency…." (See John Feerick in The Heritage Guide to the Constitution, p. 191.)