Civil Service Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The correct answer is the Speaker of the House because, according to the Presidential Succession Act of 1947, the line of succession specifies that if both the President and the Vice President are unable to serve, the Speaker of the House is next in line. This ensures a continuity of leadership and authority within the federal government.

The position of the Speaker of the House is significant, as it is the highest-ranking member of the House of Representatives and is elected by members of that body. The process reflects the idea that the representative elected by the people should succeed to the presidency, thereby maintaining democratic principles.

In contrast, the other options do not follow the established line of succession. The Chief Justice, while an important figure in the government, does not have a role in presidential succession according to the law. Similarly, the Secretary of State and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate follow the Speaker of the House in the order of succession, making them less immediate successors in this scenario. The established protocols are put in place to ensure a clear and orderly transfer of power, reinforcing the structure of the United States government.