Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has been designated as the survivor for President Biden's State of the Union address, meaning he will be at an undisclosed location outside the Capitol in case of a disaster. This year's address comes ahead of the 2024 general election, and Cardona, who became education secretary in March 2021, is sixteenth in the presidential line of succession. The designated survivor is a tradition outlined in the Presidential Succession Act, and this year, both Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm are ineligible for the role.
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has been chosen as the designated survivor for the 2024 State of the Union address, making him the 16th in the presidential line of succession. The designated survivor is a Cabinet member who would take over the presidency in the event of a catastrophic incident at the Capitol during the address. This tradition, which likely originated during the Cold War, has seen various Cabinet members serve as designated survivors in the past, with Cardona being the latest in a line that includes Marty Walsh, Gina Raimondo, and others.
The Presidential Succession Act of 1947 outlines the order of leaders who can assume the presidency if the sitting president becomes incapacitated, dies, resigns, or is removed from office. The vice president is first in line, followed by the speaker of the House and other cabinet members. Vice President Kamala Harris is currently first in line for the presidency, followed by House Speaker Mike Johnson and Sen. Patty Murray. The act requires individuals in the line of succession to be at least 35 years old, natural born citizens, and to have lived in the U.S. for 14 years.
Senate Republicans are criticizing the Biden administration for adding Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, whose nomination was never confirmed, to the presidential line of succession. They expressed concerns and requested clarification on the administration's belief that Su is eligible for the presidency. The senators argue that Su lacks support from both Republican and Democratic members of the Senate and that her inclusion in the line of succession violates congressional intent and the law. They urge President Biden to clarify his position and withdraw Su's nomination for labor secretary. Su's nomination faced backlash earlier this year and she has remained as acting secretary since then.
