Most people know what happens if the President of the United States dies in office: the Vice-President becomes the President. But what happens if both become incapacitated at the same time? Better yet, what happens if many of the leaders in government are incapacitated at the same time. How deep does the Presidential line of succession go? The Wall Street Journal has an
interesting piece in yesterday's paper about there very questions. In case you were wondering, federal law provides the order of succession:
1. President
2. Vice President
3. Speaker of the House
4. Senate President Pro Tem
5. Secretary of State
6. Secretary of the Treasury
7. Secretary of Defense
8. Attorney General
Of course, constitutional scholars believe this federal law is unconstitutional because the Constitution only talks about the Vice-President and then an officer (many believe this means member of the Cabinet) with regards to succession.
