Simone Lawson
The Vice President of the United States (VPOTUS or veep) is the second-highest ranking office in the executive branch of the US federal government, after the President. The role of the vice presidency has changed significantly since the office was created during the 1787 Constitutional Convention. The original constitution gave the vice president few duties and little power, aside from serving in place of the president when the office became vacant during a term, and presiding over the Senate. The vice president is indirectly elected at the same time as the president to a four-year term of office by the people of the United States through the Electoral College, but the electoral votes are cast separately for these two offices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ranking | Second-highest ranking office in the executive branch of the U.S. federal government |
| Line of succession | First in the presidential line of succession |
| Officer in the legislative branch | President of the Senate |
| Election | Indirectly elected at the same time as the president to a four-year term by the people of the United States through the Electoral College |
| Vacancy | Can be filled by presidential nomination and confirmation by a majority vote in both houses of Congress |
| Oath | Must take an oath to support the Constitution |
| Role | Serve as president temporarily or for the remainder of a presidential term when there is a vacancy in office, or an inability or disability on the president’s part |
| Signing of bills | Vice president, along with the speaker of the house, officially signs or attests to bills sent to the president for signature |
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What You'll Learn
The vice president's role has changed since 1787
The role of the vice president has indeed evolved since the drafting and signing of the original U.S. Constitution in 1787. The Constitution, which established the government of the United States, was crafted by 55 delegates in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The delegates, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison, aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation, but ultimately created a new framework of government.
The original Constitution did not outline specific duties for the vice president. The role of the vice president was initially limited to succeeding the president in the event of death, resignation, or removal from office. Over time, however, the vice president's role has expanded and become more defined.
In the early days of the U.S., vice presidents often presided over the Senate, but their role was largely ceremonial. They had minimal administrative responsibilities and were not included in the president's Cabinet. This changed during John Adams's presidency when he began including his vice president, Thomas Jefferson, in Cabinet meetings. This set a precedent for future administrations, and the vice president's role gradually became more integrated into the executive branch.
Today, the vice president holds a much more significant position. In addition to presiding over the Senate and casting tie-breaking votes, the vice president has become an integral part of the executive branch, serving as a close advisor to the president and taking on important duties as assigned by the president. The vice president is now a central figure in the administration, often playing a key role in shaping and implementing the president's agenda.
The 25th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1967, further enhanced the vice president's role by clarifying the vice president's position as the immediate successor to the president. Additionally, the vice president has increasingly become a key figure in foreign policy, representing the nation abroad and engaging in diplomatic relations.
In summary, while the vice president's role was initially limited and undefined in 1787, it has since transformed into a vital position within the U.S. government, with the vice president serving as both a legislative and executive leader and a crucial member of the president's administration.
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The VP is the second-in-command
The Vice President of the United States (VPOTUS or veep) is the second-highest-ranking office in the executive branch of the US federal government, after the President. The role of the vice presidency has changed significantly since the office was created during the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
Originally, the vice presidency was considered an insignificant office, with few duties and little power. The vice president's primary role was to serve as President temporarily or for the remainder of a presidential term when there was a vacancy in office, or an inability or disability on the President's part. This was the case when Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr received the same number of Electoral College votes in the 1800 election, and the House of Representatives voted to break the tie, choosing Jefferson as President.
The Twelfth Amendment, ratified in 1804, revised the procedure for electing the President and Vice President, stipulating that they would be elected together. It also addressed the issue of not having a leader during the inter-term phase, with the newly elected Vice President handling presidential responsibilities until Congress chose a President.
The Twenty-fifth Amendment, ratified in 1967, further clarified the process of determining presidential vacancies and the inability or disability of a President or Vice President. It stated that the Vice President becomes President in the event of the President's removal, death, or resignation.
In addition to their role as a successor to the President, the Vice President also serves as an officer in the legislative branch as the President of the Senate, responsible for presiding over Senate meetings and maintaining order and decorum. They can also cast a tie-breaking vote.
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The VP is elected at the same time as the president
The role of the vice president of the United States (VPOTUS or veep) has changed significantly since the office was created during the 1787 Constitutional Convention. The vice president is the second-highest-ranking office in the executive branch of the US federal government, after the president, and ranks first in the presidential line of succession.
The Twelfth Amendment, ratified in 1804, was a significant restructuring of presidential elections and a revision of American politics in the early 19th century. It outlines the procedure for electing the president and vice president, stipulating that they are elected together. The amendment also addresses the issue of not having a leader during the inter-term phase, stating that the newly elected vice president will assume the responsibilities of the president until Congress chooses a suitable candidate.
The vice president is indirectly elected at the same time as the president to a four-year term by the people of the United States through the Electoral College. However, it's important to note that electoral votes are cast separately for these two offices. The Twelfth Amendment mandates that a distinct vote be taken for each position, and one of the selected candidates must not be from the same state as the elector. This amendment has been effective in preventing ties and deadlocks in most elections since its ratification.
The vice president's role has grown in importance over time, especially with the creation of the Office of the Vice President in the executive branch in 1939. The Twenty-fifth Amendment, ratified in 1967, further enhanced the vice president's role by better defining the process of determining presidential vacancies, as well as the inability or disability of the president or vice president. This amendment allows the president and Congress to nominate and confirm a new vice president when that office becomes vacant.
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The VP is the president of the Senate
The Vice President of the United States (VPOTUS or veep) is the second-highest-ranking office in the executive branch of the US federal government. The role of the vice president has changed significantly since the office was created during the 1787 Constitutional Convention. The vice president is also an officer in the legislative branch as the President of the Senate.
The original constitution gave the vice president very few duties and little power. The vice presidency was considered an insignificant office for much of the nation's history. The Twelfth Amendment meant that vice presidents were no longer the runners-up in the presidential election. The vice president's role began to grow in importance during the 1930s, with the Office of the Vice President being created in the executive branch in 1939.
Article I, Section 3, Clause 4 of the US Constitution confers upon the vice president the title "President of the Senate", authorizing the vice president to preside over Senate meetings. In this capacity, the vice president is responsible for maintaining order and decorum, recognizing members to speak, and interpreting the Senate's rules. The vice president is empowered to preside over the US Senate but may not vote except to cast a tie-breaking vote.
The Twenty-fifth Amendment to the US Constitution, passed in 1967, further clarified the vice president's role. It stated that the vice president becomes president "in case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation." The amendment also allowed the president and Congress to nominate and approve a new vice president when that office became vacant.
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The VP can step in for the president
The Vice President of the United States (VPOTUS) is the second-highest-ranking office in the executive branch of the US federal government, after the President. The role of the vice presidency has changed significantly since the office was created during the 1787 Constitutional Convention. The vice president's role began to grow in importance during the 1930s, and due to its increase in power and prestige, the vice presidency is now often considered a stepping stone to the presidency.
The Twelfth Amendment, ratified in 1804, also stipulates that the newly-elected vice president will handle the responsibilities of the president while a proper candidate is chosen by Congress, in the event of a tie or if no candidate gets a majority.
The vice president is also an officer in the legislative branch, as the President of the Senate. In this capacity, the vice president is empowered to preside over the US Senate, but may not vote except to cast a tie-breaking vote.
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Frequently asked questions
The vice president is the second-highest ranking office in the executive branch of the US federal government, and ranks first in the presidential line of succession. The vice president is also an officer in the legislative branch, as the president of the Senate.
The vice president is empowered to preside over the US Senate, but may not vote except to cast a tie-breaking vote. The vice president also signs or attests to bills sent to the president for signature.
The vice president is indirectly elected at the same time as the president to a four-year term of office by the people of the United States through the Electoral College, but the electoral votes are cast separately for these two offices.
A vacancy in the office of vice president may be filled by presidential nomination and confirmation by a majority vote in both houses of Congress, following the passage of the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the US Constitution in 1967.
