The Vice President

The above list of key personnel was updated 7–2020.

ESTABLISHMENT

The U.S. Constitution stipulates that while occupying his (or her) office for a term of 4 years, the President will serve the duration of that term together with the Vice President (ART. II, Sec. 1).

CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY AUTHORITIES

The Vice President is mentioned in two articles of the U.S. Constitution: Article I, Section 3, and Article II, Sections 1 and 4.

The contents of the 12th, 20th, and 25th Amendments directly affect the office and responsibilities of the Vice President.

In addition to the powers set forth in the U.S. Constitution, the statutes have conferred specific authority and responsibility, covering a range of matters, upon the President and Vice President. Subject matter affecting both the President and Vice President is codified in 3 U.S.C.

ACTIVITIES

The executive functions of the Vice President include participation in Cabinet meetings.

Public Law 81–216, which is also cited as the National Security Act Amendments of 1949, changed the composition of the National Security Council to include the Vice President (63 Stat. 579).

By an Act that was approved on August 10, 1846, to establish the Smithsonian Institution, the Vice President serves as a regent on the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution (9 Stat. 103).

Pursuant to Article II, Section 1, the powers and duties of the Presidency devolve on the Vice President in the case of the President's death, inability to discharge the office's powers and duties, or removal from office.

The Vice President also fills a legislative role as President of the Senate. In this capacity, the Vice President had been expected to preside at regular sessions of the Senate and cast votes only to break ties. From the vice-presidency of John Adams in 1789 to that of Richard Nixon in the 1950s, presiding over the Senate was the chief function of the Vice President. Each one had an office in the Capitol, received staff support and office expenses through the legislative appropriations, and rarely was invited to participate in executive activities, including Cabinet meetings. In 1961, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson moved his chief office from the Capitol to the White House, directed his attention to executive functions, and started attending Senate sessions only at critical times. His actions changed the traditional role of the Vice President, and those changes continue in effect today.

Sources of Information

Authored Content

The Vice President posts op-ed pieces on the lower part of his "Michael R. Pence" web page.

Inviting the Second Lady

To invite Second Lady Karen Pence to attend an event or to speak at one, please send the request via email.

Social Media

The Vice President has a Facebook account.

The Vice President tweets announcements and other newsworthy items on Twitter.

The Second Lady tweets announcements and other newsworthy items on Twitter.

The Sources of Information were updated 7–2020.