The Twenty-Fifth Amendment says nothing about succession beyond the Vice Presidency. The stipulation that officers later in the line “act as President” is in the Succession Act, which makes clear that no election need be held until the next one that is regularly scheduled. (Earlier succession laws did provide for special elections.)
You are correct. It is of course Article II, Section 1, Clause 6
In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation or inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what officer shall then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
brianmelendez:
While there is significant scholarly argument in agreement with SaintCad, the point is far from settled. Even if a senator or representative is not an “officer,” the speaker and the president pro tem may be. The Presidential Succession Act of 1792, on which several Framers voted, certainly assumed as much.
But Senator Blount’s impeachment which raised the issue was 1799 and the next presidential succession act (1886) eliminated the SOH and PPTOS from the line completely. As I’ve said, SCOTUS would probably have to get involved and God only knows how they’ll rule on an issue (e.g. that XXVth Amendment may completely overrule II,1,6 and eliminate the “officer” requirement.
Yes, on June 29, 2002, Cheney served briefly as Acting President under the terms of the 25th Amendment: Acting President of the United States - Wikipedia
Another possible solution to the worst-case presidential-succession disaster scenarios: Should governors be added to the Presidential line of succession? - Great Debates - Straight Dope Message Board