Sponsors (85)
Introduced April 14, 2026 by Jamie Ben Raskin · Last progress April 14, 2026
The bill creates a formal, expert‑led process to clarify and expedite decisions about presidential incapacity—strengthening continuity and reducing uncertainty—at the cost of new federal expenses, potential intrusion into presidential medical privacy, and significant risk that the mechanism could be politicized or rushed.
All Americans: establishes a clear, legislatively authorized process (including a 17‑member independent commission) to determine presidential incapacity and enable timely transfer of powers to the Vice President.
People relying on continuity of government and national security decisionmaking: reduces uncertainty during a presidential incapacity by codifying procedures and roles, which can speed decisions in a leadership crisis.
Patients and medical professionals involved in assessments: requires medical expertise on the Commission (including physicians and psychiatrists) and clarifies medical conditions that may constitute incapacity, improving the clinical basis for determinations.
Presidents, federal employees, and the public: concentrates a sensitive constitutional power in a new, Congress‑created process and commission, raising strong risks that incapacity proceedings will be politicized or used as partisan tools.
Presidents and their medical providers: enables intrusive medical examinations and mandatory disclosures that risk exposing sensitive health information and could conflict with privacy protections (including HIPAA concerns).
Federal/state governments and the public: findings of incapacity or short‑term transfers of authority could create operational disruption and temporary policy or command uncertainty during crises.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Creates a 17-member commission Congress can direct to medically examine the President under the 25th Amendment and report within 72 hours on presidential capacity.
Creates a standing, 17-member congressional commission empowered to carry out the medical-examination and reporting procedures in the 25th Amendment when Congress directs. The commission must include a mix of physicians and former senior executive-branch officials appointed with partisan balance, must examine the President within 72 hours after Congress directs the exam, and must transmit a report that states whether the President can discharge the powers and duties of the office. Sets detailed appointment rules, eligibility limits, term lengths, vacancy procedures, and timelines for initial and subsequent appointments; requires the commission to consider a presidential refusal to submit to the exam and to include any Vice Presidential disagreement in its report.