Until the 12th Amendment was passed, this position went to the runner-up in an election.
Along with the Chief Justice, the holder of this post is an ex oficio Regent of the Smithsonian. Following presidential elections, this officeholder is officially responsible for presiding over the counting of votes in front of Congress, though the President Pro Tempore [TEM-poh-ree] sometimes carries out that function. The holder of this post breaks ties in the Senate, as he is the acting President of that chamber. Until the 12th Amendment was passed, this position went to the runner-up in an election. Name this post, whose holder is "a heartbeat away from" becoming commander-in-chief.
Along with the Chief Justice, the holder of this post is an ex oficio Regent of the Smithsonian.
Vice President of the United States of America