Political Quotes

“today I wish to honor the 50th anniversary of the ratification of the 25th Amendment and recognize one of my predecessors from Indiana in the U.S. Senate, Birch Bayh. Birch Bayh represented Indiana for three terms in the Senate, from 1963 to 1981. Senator Bayh was an accomplished lawyer, legislator, and the only non-Founding Father to draft two amendments to the U.S. Constitution that were enacted. February 2017 marked the 50th anniversary of the ratification of the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. The 25th Amendment created an orderly transition of power in the case of death or disability of the President and a method of selecting a Vice President when a vacancy occurs in that office. Before its passage, our Nation experienced several occasions when the President was unable to perform his powers and duties, with no constitutional provision for temporary transfer of these powers to the Vice President. The amendment was first relied upon following the resignations of Vice President Spiro Agnew and President Richard Nixon. It also provided the basis for President Ronald Reagan to temporarily pass his duties to Vice President George H. Bush when President Reagan underwent surgery. While we all hope not to have to use the 25th Amendment, having an established process that continues to guide administrations faced with unexpected events is essential for any functional democracy.…”