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Keating–Kefauver proposal
Senator of New York in 1963 proposed a list of people who would become the president if the current president could no longer run the country. This lacked the ability to determine if they were capable or the ability for the President to challenge it. This would create problems as the senators pointed out the the Congress could abuse this and get presidents they don't like or agree with out of power. -
Kennedy's Assassination
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy highlighted the need for a clear process to handle presidential disability. Lyndon B. Johnson, who had a history of heart problems, took office with no vice president. Senator Birch Bayh took over the effort to draft a detailed amendment on presidential disability. -
Bayh–Celler proposal
Senator Birch Bayh and Representative Emanuel Celler introduced the Bayh–Celler proposal in Congress. Their proposal let the vice president step up as acting president. This made it so that when the Actual president is revived they can regain power. Also made it so that there will always be a vice president in office. -
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Passing of the 25th Amendment
July 6, 1965 – The Senate approves the amendment.
July 28, 1965 – The House approves it.
July 12, 1965 – Nebraska is the first state to ratify.
February 10, 1967 – Nevada becomes the 38th state to ratify, completing the process.
February 23, 1967 – The amendment is officially added to the U.S. Constitution. -
Spiro Agnew resigns
Gerald Ford is confirmed as vice president after Spiro Agnew resigns. -
Richard Nixon resigns
Gerald Ford becomes president after Richard Nixon resigns due to Watergate. -
Reagan is shot
After Reagan is shot, discussions arise about invoking Section 4, but it is not used since Reagan remains conscious. -
Ronald Reagan transfers power to George H.W. Bush for 8 hours
Ronald Reagan transfers power to George H.W. Bush for 8 hours during surgery. -
Concerns over Reagan’s mental state
White House aides consider invoking Section 4 due to concerns over Reagan’s mental state, but no action is taken. -
George H.W. Bush collapses
After George H.W. Bush collapses from illness, Section 4 is briefly considered but not used. -
George W. Bush transfers power to Dick Cheney for about 2 hours
George W. Bush transfers power to Dick Cheney for about 2 hours during a colonoscopy. -
George W. Bush again transfers power to Dick Cheney for about 2 hours
George W. Bush again transfers power to Dick Cheney for about 2 hours during another colonoscopy. -
Capitol riot
After the Capitol riot, there are serious calls to invoke Section 4 against Donald Trump, but it is never formally used. -
Joe Biden transfers power to Kamala Harris for 85 minutes
Joe Biden transfers power to Kamala Harris for 85 minutes during a colonoscopy, making her the first woman to serve as acting president.