Overview
- Rep. Jamie Raskin introduced legislation to set up an independent commission empowered by the 25th Amendment to evaluate a president's ability to do the job, with fifty Democratic co-sponsors backing the bill.
- The proposal calls for 16 members chosen by House and Senate party leaders, including physicians, psychiatrists, and former Cabinet officials, with those members selecting a 17th chair.
- Under the bill, a medical examination would inform the panel’s decision, and a majority could vote to suspend the president only if the vice president agrees to the transfer of power.
- A White House spokesperson dismissed the effort, calling Raskin a lightweight and praising President Trump’s sharpness and energy.
- Analysts say the bill faces steep odds because Republicans control Congress, the president could veto it, and earlier Raskin efforts in 2017 and 2020 died in committee, with further hurdles like activating the commission and securing a presidential exam.