If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

Study for the Idaho Civics Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The Speaker of the House becomes President if both the President and the Vice President are unable to serve. This line of succession is established by the Presidential Succession Act, which outlines the order in which officials will assume the presidency in the event of incapacitation or vacancy. The Speaker of the House, as a significant leader in Congress and elected by the members of the House, serves as a crucial link between the legislative branch and the presidency.

The other options listed fall outside of the established order of succession. The Chief Justice oversees the judicial branch, not executive succession. The Secretary of State is a member of the President's Cabinet and is further down the line of succession. The Majority Leader of the Senate, while a significant political figure, does not have the authority to assume the presidency in this scenario. Hence, the Speaker of the House plays a pivotal role in ensuring the continuity of government by stepping into the presidential role when required.

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