If both the President and Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

When both the President and the Vice President are unable to serve, the next in line for the presidency is the Speaker of the House of Representatives. This line of succession is established by the Presidential Succession Act of 1947, which outlines the order in which officials may assume the presidency in the event of a vacancy.

The Speaker of the House has a significant role in the legislative branch and is elected by the members of the House, making this position crucial in maintaining continuity of leadership in the government. As the most senior member of the House of Representatives, the Speaker is seen as a representative of the people and the legislative process.

The other options listed do not hold the same constitutional backing or authority in the presidential line of succession. The Senate Majority Leader, while an important role within the legislative branch, does not have a defined succession privilege. Similarly, the Secretary of State holds a vital position in the executive branch, focusing on foreign affairs, but is not part of the presidential succession line. The Chief Justice oversees the judicial branch and the functioning of the Supreme Court, yet does not have a succession role in the presidency. Thus, the Speaker of the House is uniquely positioned as the successor, ensuring a continued governmental structure.