The Constitution has been amended and rules have been promulgated to cover the line of succession to the Presidency: if the President is removed from office, by death, inability, or impeachment, the Vice President becomes President. Next in line of succession is the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
With that in mind, I'd like to ask people to consider the following scenario:
- For some reason or other, the office of Vice President becomes vacant.
- Before a new Vice President can be chosen by the Senate, the President is impeached, convicted, and removed from office one month before the midterm elections. By law, the Speaker of the House becomes President.
- In the ensuing midterm election, the House changes hands, meaning there is a new Speaker of the House.
What then?