If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

The Speaker of the House becomes President if both the President and the Vice President are unable to fulfill their duties. This succession plan is outlined in the Presidential Succession Act. The rationale behind this is to ensure continuity and stability in the executive branch of government. The Speaker is an elected official and is positioned third in the line of succession, following the Vice President.

The choice of the Speaker reflects a democratic principle, as this individual is chosen by the members of the House of Representatives, which is directly elected by the public. This process helps maintain an element of accountability to the electorate even during unforeseen circumstances that affect the highest offices in the nation.

Other choices such as a Cabinet member, Senate Majority Leader, or Attorney General do not hold this specific constitutional role in presidential succession, making the Speaker of the House the correct answer.