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Vice President’s Constitutional Powers

Question 01 /21
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Should the Vice President have more power?

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The U.S. Constitution lays out the framework for a resilient and balanced government. Within its text, various provisions define the roles and responsibilities of key officials, including the Vice President. These constitutional clauses and amendments outline duties and ensure continuity in governance.

Article I, Section 3, Clause 4

Article I, Section 3, Clause 4 of the U.S. Constitution establishes the Vice President as the President of the Senate. This role is primarily ceremonial, with the key power being the ability to cast a tie-breaking vote when the Senate is equally divided.

The Vice President doesn’t vote on everyday matters. Their involvement is limited to those rare moments of deadlock. During a 50-50 split on a significant bill, the Vice President’s deciding vote can hold substantial sway over legislative direction.

Through the years, numerous pieces of legislation have been decided by the Vice President’s tie-breaking vote. This has impacted measures on:

  • Tax policies
  • Healthcare reforms
  • Pivotal appointments

This aspect of their duties highlights the balance of power within the Senate and underscores the strategic role assigned to the Vice President by the Constitution. The framers intended for this power to be an essential component, ensuring that evenly split decisions could still progress within the legislative framework.

The Vice President standing at the Senate podium, poised to cast a tie-breaking vote with Senators divided evenly on both sides

Article I, Section 3, Clause 5

Article I, Section 3, Clause 5 of the U.S. Constitution permits the Senate to select one of its members as President pro tempore to preside over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President. This provision ensures that the legislative process remains uninterrupted and highlights the foresight of the framers in addressing potential gaps in Senate leadership.

The President pro tempore, typically a senior member of the majority party, serves as a stand-in when the Vice President is unavailable. Their duties include:

  • Presiding over Senate sessions
  • Maintaining order
  • Ensuring that the legislative agenda progresses

This temporary leadership role embodies the principle of resilience within the legislative branch, allowing the Senate to operate seamlessly despite the Vice President’s absence. By empowering the Senate to choose its own temporary presiding officer, the Constitution reinforces the independence of the legislative body.

Throughout history, the President pro tempore has occasionally played a pivotal role during significant legislative events. This autonomy underscores the Constitution’s commitment to a balanced and adaptable government structure.

An elderly Senator serving as President pro tempore presiding over the Senate chamber in the absence of the Vice President

12th Amendment

The 12th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution entrusts the Vice President with presiding over the joint session of Congress to count and certify electoral votes. This responsibility underscores the significance of the Vice President in ensuring the orderly transition of executive power.

The Vice President oversees the formal counting process of electoral votes from each state. This session, often conducted in early January following a presidential election, brings together members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Vice President’s role is to:

  1. Maintain order
  2. Affirm the legitimacy of the submitted electoral votes
  3. Formally announce the results

This procedure is a critical juncture in the American democratic process, ensuring transparency and integrity in cementing the election’s outcome. The Vice President must read each state’s certified electoral results and address any objections raised by members of Congress. These objections must be submitted in writing and require the endorsement of at least one Senator and one Representative.

By assigning the Vice President this responsibility, the framers ensured that a high-ranking official would oversee the transition of power, thus maintaining a strong and orderly electoral process. This constitutional duty is a testament to the framers’ foresight in drafting a resilient mechanism for presidential succession and the maintenance of democratic principles.

The Vice President overseeing the counting of electoral votes during a joint session of Congress, with Representatives and Senators present

Article II, Section 1, Clause 6

Article II, Section 1, Clause 6 of the U.S. Constitution delineates the conditions under which the Vice President assumes the role of President. This clause provides a structured framework, ensuring that the executive office is never left vacant due to unforeseen circumstances.

This provision comes into play under specific conditions:

  • Removal of the President
  • Death of the President
  • Resignation of the President
  • Inability of the President to discharge the powers and duties of the office

The inclusion of this clause was a deliberate measure to ensure the seamless continuity of executive leadership. In the event of the President’s removal from office, death, or resignation, the Vice President immediately steps in as the President. The clause also addresses scenarios where a President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office, which could result from factors such as serious illness or incapacitation.

The implementation of these provisions was further refined by the 25th Amendment, which detailed the procedures for addressing presidential disability and filling a vacancy in the office of the Vice President. This amendment added clarity to the original clause, ensuring a strong mechanism for handling presidential incapacity.

By establishing this clear line of succession, Article II, Section 1, Clause 6, along with the 25th Amendment, ensures that the executive branch remains uninterrupted and operative, regardless of the challenges that may arise.

The Vice President taking the oath of office to become President, with the Chief Justice administering the oath and the American flag in the background

25th Amendment

The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution solidifies the protocols for addressing presidential succession and handling presidential disabilities. This amendment clarifies previously established procedures and enhances the framework for ensuring the continuous operation of the executive branch.

The 25th Amendment consists of four sections:

SectionDescription
1In case of the removal, death, or resignation of the President, the Vice President immediately becomes President.
2Enables the President to nominate a Vice President when that office becomes vacant, subject to confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
3Allows the President to voluntarily transfer their powers and duties to the Vice President by submitting a written declaration of inability to perform the presidential duties.
4Provides a mechanism for the Vice President and a majority of the principal officers of the executive departments to declare the President unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office. It also outlines the process for resolving disputes about the President’s ability to serve.

The 25th Amendment has been invoked in practice, such as when President Reagan underwent surgery in 1985 and temporarily transferred power to Vice President George H.W. Bush.1

This amendment provides a comprehensive framework for ensuring the seamless transition of presidential power and addressing issues of presidential incapacity, exemplifying the enduring wisdom of the U.S. Constitution’s framers.

Scholarly Interpretation

Scholarly interpretation of the Vice President’s role focuses on its legislative and executive aspects. In the legislative domain, the Vice President’s capacity as the President of the Senate, particularly wielding the tie-breaking vote, has proven powerful and occasionally transformative. This role becomes critical during closely contested legislative sessions, echoing the framers’ vision of a balanced legislative process.

On the executive side, the Vice President’s role has expanded over time. While initially envisioned as a position that would assume presidential duties only in emergencies, Vice Presidents now frequently assume substantial portfolios, including:

  • Advising on foreign and domestic policy
  • Leading task forces
  • Representing the administration in diplomatic capacities

This shift reflects a broader interpretation of the constitutional text, whereby the Vice President serves as a principal advisor and partner to the President. This evolution enhances governmental efficiency by ensuring that the Vice Presidency stands ready for succession and actively contributes to executive decisions and policy formations.

"The modern vice presidency has evolved into a position of significant influence and responsibility, far beyond its original constitutional design."2

Scholarly analysis affirms that the Vice President’s position, rooted in constitutional provisions, has grown significantly in practice. From exercising decisive legislative influence through tie-breaking votes to engaging in high-level executive duties, the role demonstrates remarkable adaptability and relevance, aligning with the framers’ intent of fostering a resilient governance structure.

The constitutional provisions related to the Vice President highlight a commitment to maintaining a stable and effective government. The foresight of the framers is evident in their planning for succession and legislative balance, ensuring that governance remains uninterrupted even during times of crisis or deadlock.

  1. Feerick JD. The Twenty-Fifth Amendment: Its Complete History and Applications. Fordham University Press; 2014.
  2. Goldstein J. The Modern American Vice Presidency: The Transformation of a Political Institution. Princeton University Press; 2016.