At 10:44 a.m. on Feb. 10, the state senate of Nevada unanimously adopted Joint Resolution No. Six, joining 37 other state legislatures in ratifying a U.S. constitutional amendmentthe 25th. Passed by the 89th Congress in July 1965, it sets forth long-needed mechanics for presidential succession.
Under the amendment, an incapacitated Chief Executive can himself declare in writing that he is unable to continue in office, and the Vice President can take overat least temporarily. If an ailing President is unable or unwilling to step aside voluntarily, the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet can send a written...