Amelia Cutting
On Friday (19th) US President Joe Biden, temporarily transferred presidential power to Vice President Kamala Harris while he was undergoing medical treatment.
For one hour and 25 minutes, the President was under anesthesia for a routine colonoscopy, leaving power with the nation’s first Black and first South Asian vice president.
Kamala Harris becomes first woman to get #USA presidential powers briefly as Joe Biden undergoes medical
President Biden will transfer power briefly to VP Harris he is under anaesthesia for a routine colonoscopy making her the first woman to hold presidential power in US history pic.twitter.com/O98aW28LTw
— World NBC (@WorldNBC1) November 19, 2021
Breaking yet another barrier in US presidential history, Harris carried out these duties from her office in the West Wing of the White House, officials said.
Jen Psaki, the White House Press Secretary, said this temporary transfer of powers under such circumstances was not unprecedented- it is part of the process set out in the constitution.
The 25th Amendment lays out a process for the president to transfer power when he is unable to execute his duties. This has happened before- such as when President George W. Bush had colonoscopies in 2002 and 2007.
“Today, that was another chapter in that history for many women, young girls across the country”
How does the transfer of power happen?
To officially transfer presidential powers to Kamala Harris, a letter was sent from Biden to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont at 10.10am, before he went under anesthesia.
“Today I will undergo a routine medical procedure requiring sedation. In view of present circumstances, I have determined to transfer temporarily the powers and duties of the office of President of the United States to the Vice President during the brief period of the procedure and recovery”, the letter reads.
A separate letter was then sent after the procedure to transfer the powers back to Biden: “in accordance with the provisions of section 3 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, I hereby transmit to you my written declaration that I am able to discharge the powers and duties of the Office of the President of the United States and that I am resuming those powers and duties.”
Kamala Harris continuing to make history
“Today, that was another chapter in that history for many women, young girls across the country”, Psaki said.
Already the first female vice president, Harris has had a ‘trailblazing’ role in US politics. This transfer of power, though brief, makes her the first woman President of the United States in its 250 year history.
President Joe Biden will receive a routine colonoscopy today while he is undergoing a physical at Walter Reed. The process, which requires anesthesia, means that he will temporarily transfer power to Kamala Harris, who will briefly become the 1st woman President.
— Daniella Diaz (@DaniellaMicaela) November 19, 2021
Biden’s health- under scrutiny
This routine procedure came on the eve of the president’s 79th birthday. As the oldest President to take office in the US, his health has often come under close scrutiny as it was wondered if he was healthy enough to execute presidential duties.
A medical report released by his doctor at the time of election described him as “healthy, vigorous” and “fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency.”
Kevin O’Connor, the president’s physician, said: “President Biden remains a healthy, vigorous, 78-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the president”.
Harris took over power at 10.10AM and the president resumed at 11.35AM saying he felt “great”.
Featured image courtesy of 12019-12019 via Pixabay. Image licence can be found here. No changes or alterations were made to this image.
Amelia Cutting
I'm Amelia- a graduate from the University of Leeds and current NCTJ Level 5 Diploma student!