6. Homework Help

6.2 General Information

The Constitution authorizes congress to establish the order of presidential succession (after vice president).  The Succession Act of 1947 is currently in effect (amended 1965, 1977, 1979, 1988).  Here is the list of order of succession:

1. The Vice President
2. Speaker of the House
3. President pro tempore of the Senate
4. Secretary of State
5. Secretary of the Treasury
6. Secretary of Defense
7. Attorney General
8. Secretary of the Interior
9. Secretary of Agriculture
10. Secretary of Commerce
11. Secretary of Labor
12. Secretary of Health and Human Services
13. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
14. Secretary of Transportation
15. Secretary of Energy
16. Secretary of Education
17. Secretary of Veterans Affairs