Until the 25th Amendment was ratified, there was no constitutional means of replacing a Vice President when the current VP became POTUS following the death of the former POTUS or if a VP resigned or died in office. When that occurred, the office of the VP would remain vacant until the next presidential election/inauguration. In addition to Truman having no VP for his first term, LBJ also had no VP for his first term following JFK’s assassination!
The 25th Amendment was passed by Congress then ratified shortly after LBJ became POTUS to give a new POTUS the ability to nominate a new VP midterm and the nomination approved by a simple majority of both houses of Congress. Then the new VP could be sworn in immediately.
Nixon nominated Ford as VP following Agnew’s resignation as VP in 1973. Ford was approved by Congress and sworn in as VP under the 25th Amendment.
Then when Nixon resigned in 1974, Ford became POTUS and he then nominated Nelson Rockefeller as his VP, which Congress approved and was sworn as VP under the 25th Amendment.
Wow, that just rolled off your tongue — I’m impressed.
But, of course, more questions — first being — so Harris, if elevated to Presidency, could nominate anyone as her VP as long as Congress approves. That opens up all kinds of scenarios.
Also — by “Congress” — is that both Senate and House?
Thank you so much. D