Vice president of the United States

Vice president of the United States, second-highest elected official. Constitutionally and politically, this office does not carry great power. The vice president was originally intended as the neutral presiding officer in the Senate and as the constitutional successor on the death or resignation of the president. Eight vice presidents have succeeded to the presidency during their time in office, taking over for presidents who have died or resigned. The increase in presidential duties with World War II has been partly responsible for giving the vice president a greater share in political and legislative matters, in particular as a member of the National Security Council. The 25th Amendment (1967) permits the president to fill a vacancy in the office of vice president, subject to the approval of Congress. The amendment permits the vice president to act as president when the president is disabled. For 8 hours in 1985, while President Reagan was in surgery, Vice President George Bush served as acting president, the first vice president to do so.