Designated survivor

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A designated survivor is a member of the United States Cabinet who stays at a physically distant, secure, and undisclosed location when the President and the country's other top leaders are gathered at a single location, such as during State of the Union Addresses and presidential inaugurations, in order to maintain continuity of government with regard to presidential succession in the remote possibility of a catastrophic event which could wipe out large portions of the United States' federal government. The practice originated during the Cold War amid fears of a nuclear attack.

Since 2005, one Representative and one Senator of each political party have also served as designated survivors concurrently with the Cabinet member, so they could ascend to the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives or President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Although those offices are first and second in the line of succession to the Presidency, respectively, after the Vice President, it is unclear whether either of these designated survivors could do so without first being elected to those leadership positions by a quorum of their respective houses.[citation needed]


Contents

[edit] List of some designated survivors


[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c 1989, 1993 and 2001 speeches were given by incoming Presidents and not formal "State of the Union" addresses
  2. ^ a b c For the 2005, 2006, and 2007 State of the Union addresses, a designated member of the Cabinet was absent. However, in all three cases, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) or Sen. Robert Byrd (D-West Virginia), as Senate President Pro Tempore, actually preceded all cabinet members in the line of succession and was not present for the President's speech those nights. Therefore, had a catastrophic event actually occurred, Sen. Stevens or Sen. Byrd would have assumed the powers and duties of the Presidency upon resignation of their seats in Congress.

[edit] References

  • 1981: New York Times, "State of Union: Bewitched by Pageant," Page A18, Jan 27, 1988
  • 1984: UPI, "Washington Dateline." Jan 25, 1984
  • 1985: UPI, "Washington News." Feb 6, 1985
  • 1986: UPI, "Washington News." Feb 4, 1986
  • 1987: UPI, "Washington News." Jan 28, 1987
  • 1988: New York Times, "State of Union: Bewitched by Pageant." Page A18. Jan 27, 1988
  • 1990: Washington Post, Page C3. Jan 31, 1991
  • 1991: Washington Post, Page C3. Jan 31, 1991
  • 1996: USA Today, Page A12. Feb 5, 1997
  • 1997: Washington Post, "Agriculture's Glickman Draws Doomsday Duty for Address." Page A13. Feb 4, 1997
  • 1999: New York Times, "Not Being Invited Was the Honor." Page B2. Jan 21, 1999
  • 2000: Washington Post, "The Reliable Source." Page C3. Jan 28, 2000
  • 2001: New York Times, "Cabinet's 'Designated Absentee' Stays Away." Page A23. Jan 30, 2002
  • 2002: New York Times, "Cabinet's 'Designated Absentee' Stays Away." Page A23. Jan 30, 2002
  • 2003: New York Times, "Ashcroft in Secret Spot During Bush Address." Jan 29, 2003
  • 2004: AP, "Four to Miss Speech Due to Security." Jan 20, 2004
  • 2005: New York Times, "Five Officials Skip State of the Union Address." Feb 2, 2005
  • 2006: Philadelphia Inquirer, "A Message of Energy, Strength." Feb 1, 2006.
  • 2007: Washington Post, "The Reliable Source." Page C3. Jan 25, 2007.
  • 2008: AP, "Interior Secretary Skips Speech," Jan 28, 2008

[edit] External links

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