Hillary Clinton dreamed it, Kamala Harris did it. Within a good hour, the Vice President of the United States was the first woman to temporarily and formally assume presidential prerogatives in the country, Friday, November 19.
President Joe Biden, who turns 79 on Saturday, visited Walter Reed Medical Center near Washington during the day to “Have a routine colonoscopy”, the White House said. As the examination took place under general anesthesia, her powers were temporarily transferred to her vice-president, the presidency said.
The American president arrived shortly before 9 a.m. (3 p.m. in Paris) at the medical center. The White House clarified that he had transferred his prerogatives to the Vice President at 10:10 a.m. Washington time (4:10 p.m. in Paris), under the conditions provided for by the US Constitution and he had resumed his functions by publishing a document signed by his hand. He spoke with Kamala Harris and with his chief of staff “At about 11:35 this morning. [Il] was in a good mood and resumed his duties at that time “, tweeted the spokesperson for the US executive, Jen psaki. The transfer of prerogatives from Biden to Harris took an hour and twenty-five minutes, the presidency said. Mr Biden was released from the hospital around 2:05 p.m., assuring reporters that his “Health check went very well”.
“As was the case when President George W. Bush underwent the same intervention, in 2002 and 2007, and in accordance with the procedure provided by the Constitution, President Biden will transfer his powers to the Vice President for a short period. , while he is under anesthesia “, detailed the executive. Kamala Harris has worked from her office in the west wing (the west wing) of the White House during this time, it is further clarified.
Possible vacancy of the post of president
The Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, passed on February 23, 1967, establishes the procedures for filling a possible vacancy in the office of President by the Vice President. Former Donald Trump spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham implied in a recent book that the Republican billionaire also had a colonoscopy during his tenure, but kept the procedure a secret.
Mr Biden, who does not smoke or drink, is fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and received his third dose at the end of September. He is the oldest president in US history and has made it public that he plans to run for his own succession in 2024. But his age is fueling speculation that he might step down.
Joe Biden has promised the greatest transparency on his state of health, while some supporters of Donald Trump do not lose any opportunity to question publicly, in a more or less roundabout way, about his physical health and his lucidity. The Democrat had been declared ” in good health “ and “Vigorous” by his doctor at the end of 2019, when he was a candidate for his party’s primary.
However, he experienced a serious health alert in 1988. Urgently transported to hospital after a ruptured aneurysm, a priest had been called to give him the last rites.
If Joe Biden didn’t come back, Kamala Harris, 57, would be seen as a natural candidate for the Democratic camp, although so far most observers have a mixed record of her tenure as vice president. She is the first woman to hold the post of Vice President of the United States. Since the country’s independence, nearly two hundred and fifty years ago, no woman has ever held the post of president.
Biden “in good health” and “fit” to perform his duties
The examination “Routine” the colonoscopy, intended to identify abnormalities in the colon, is part of the President’s first check-up. Joe Biden is ” in good health “, “Vigorous” and ” apt “ to fulfill his function as President of the United States, according to a detailed report published by his doctor on Friday, at the end of this long-awaited visit.
The doctor notes that the president is taking three prescription drugs and two without a prescription. He also points out that compared to his last exam, in December 2019, Joe Biden has a stiffer gait and a frequent cough. Practitioner Kevin O’Connor attributes these changes to minor ailments. He finds a “Light” nerve disorder (neuropathy) affecting the feet, as well as the result of a fracture, which causes stiffer gait. And attributes the frequent cough to gastroesophageal reflux. This colonoscopy was deemed “Reassuring” by the doctor, who has followed Joe Biden for thirteen years.
On reading the report, we learn that the President of the United States measures 1 meter 82 for 83 kilos, that he wears contact lenses, that he does not smoke or drink, and that he plays sports. five times a week. The assessment also lists the ailments considered benign from which he suffers, in addition to his gastric and gait problems: a “Non-valvular atrial fibrillation”, heart condition that is “Stable” after treatment; a high level of lipids in the blood also successfully corrected by treatment; allergies and arthritis.
Returning to the White House after this health check, the Democratic president bowed, with visible satisfaction, to the tradition which wants him to grant his pardon to two turkeys before Thanksgiving. Turkey is an iconic dish for Thanksgiving, one of the most observed popular holidays in the United States, which Americans will celebrate next week.
The head of state’s health check came after the vote, in the morning, by the House of Representatives of the gigantic plan of social reforms of President Joe Biden, the first crucial step before its consideration by the Senate, where its adoption was adopted. difficult announcement. The text of Build Back Better, a vast social and environmental plan of 1,800 billion dollars, was adopted by the House of Representatives, with a Democratic majority, a few days after the signing by Joe Biden of his great infrastructure law.
This vote “Is another giant step in the pursuit of my economic program, to create jobs, reduce costs, make our country more competitive and give workers and the middle class a real chance of success”, can we read in a press release.