Senate questions presidential succession rules

The 25th Amendment was ratified in 1967 after President Kennedy's assassination exposed gaps in succession procedures

If the president dies, resigns, or is removed, the vice president immediately becomes president under Section 1

Section 2 allows the president to nominate a new vice president, confirmed by majority vote of both houses of Congress

Section 3 allows the president to temporarily transfer power to the vice president during planned incapacity

Section 4 allows the vice president and Cabinet majority to declare the president unable to discharge duties

Congress can override the president's declaration of fitness with two-thirds vote of both houses under Section 4

Gerald Ford became the first president to assume office through 25th Amendment succession in 1974