Read Joe Biden's Letters on Presidential Power Transfer to Kamala Harris During Physical
President Joe Biden briefly transferred power to Vice President Kamala Harris Friday morning, while he underwent a routine colonoscopy at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
While the transfer of power only lasted under an hour and half, it carried historical significance, and marked the first time a woman held presidential powers in U.S.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said late Friday morning that Biden spoke with Harris at approximately 11:35 a.m.
"@POTUS was in good spirits and at that time resumed his duties. He will remain at Walter Reed as he completes the rest of his routine physical," Psaki wrote on Twitter.
Biden wrote a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Friday officially handing over presidential powers to Harris.
"Today I will undergo a routine medical procedure requiring sedation. In view of present circumstances, I have determined to transfer temporarily the powers and duties of the office of President of the United States to the Vice President during the brief period of the procedure and recovery," the president wrote.
"In accordance with the provisions of section 3 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment of to the United States Constitution, this letter shall constitute my written declaration that I am presently unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office of President of the United States. Pursuant to section 3, the Vice President shall discharge those powers and duties as Acting President until I transmit to you a written declaration that I am able to resume the discharge of those powers and duties," he added
According to the White House, the letter to Pelosi was sent at 10:10 a.m. Friday morning. Biden sent another letter to Pelosi later that morning, resuming his powers.
"In accordance with the provisions of section 3 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, I hereby transmit to you my written declaration that I am able to discharge the powers and duties of the Office of the President of the United States and that I am resuming those powers and duties," Biden said in the second letter.
According to White House officials, the colonoscopy the president received Friday was part of his yearly physical. Officials said that a summary of Biden's physical will be released publicly later Friday. Biden the physical takes place one day before Biden's 79th birthday.
Announcing the brief transfer of power on Friday, the White House noted that President George W. Bush followed the same process in 2002 and 2007, when he underwent routine colonoscopies.
