[United States Government Manual]
[September 15, 2009]
[Pages 85-86]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

THE VICE PRESIDENT                                Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

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Article II, section I, of the Constitution provides that the President 
``shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years . . . together 
with the Vice President . . . .'' In addition to his role as President 
of the Senate, the Vice President is empowered

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to succeed to the Presidency, pursuant to Article II and the 20th and 
25th amendments to the Constitution.

    The executive functions of the Vice President include participation 
in Cabinet meetings and, by statute, membership on the National Security 
Council and the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.
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