House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that will organize a commission allowing the U.S. Congress to oust a president from office by invoking the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
In making this announcement, Pelosi took pains to emphasize this piece of legislation isn't directed against President Donald Trump.
"This is not about President Trump," asserted Pelosi Friday. "He will face the judgment of the voters. But, he shows the need for us to create a process for future presidents."
Pelosi also denied the timing of the legislation is linked to the November presidential election. She contends organizing the bipartisan "Commission on Presidential Capacity to Discharge the Powers and Duties of the Office" is needed to "give some comfort to people" on the stability of the government.
Under the legislation authored by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), a constitutional law professor, Congress could pass a concurrent resolution requiring the commission to conduct a medical examination of the president to determine his or her capacity to continue with his duties. The commission will then report its findings to Congress.
If the commission finds a presidential incapacity exists, the vice president will immediately assume the role of acting president.
The 17 members of the commission will work with the vice president to determine if the president is "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office" due to physical or mental incapacity. The commission will determine the need for a transfer of power to the vice president.
On Thursday, however, Pelosi blasted Trump for being "in an altered state" due to some of the potent drugs Trump has been given to cure his COVID-19. The most controversial of these drugs, a steroid called dexamethasone, is known to cause what's called "steroid psychosis." Steroid psychosis-related symptoms include depression, mania, psychosis, and delirium.
Trump's baffling decisions and actions since returning to the White House on Monday from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center where he was treated for COVID-19 have led critics to surmise steroid psychosis symptoms.
Pelosi assailed White House pronouncements concealing the true state of Trump's health and his behavior since returning to the White House amid a COVID-19 outbreak that has so far infected at least 23 people. She also demanded to know when Trump's last negative test for the virus occurred before he said he was infected last week.
"The public needs to know the health condition of the president," said Pelosi.
Raskin said the COVID-19 crisis underscores the need for a succession plan in the event the president is incapacitated.
"We need to act," said Raskin. "In times of chaos, we must hold fast to our Constitution. The 25th amendment is all about the stability of the presidency and the continuity of the office."
Section 4 of the 25th Amendment states a majority of "such other body as Congress may by law" can determine if the president cannot discharge the powers and duties of his office. The 25th Amendment was ratified in 1967.
