Roles of the vice president

The vice president can be only as important as the president chooses. The vice president has almost no political power, unless the president asks for advice about party policy and political appointments. Even the vice president's role as a Cabinet member depends on the wishes of the president. But with the active support of the president, the vice president can exert a tremendous amount of influence. The vice president's attendance at conferences between the president and congressional leaders strengthens the vice president's power with the legislative branch. If the president gives the vice president important diplomatic missions, the vice president can help shape United States foreign policy.

A typical day for the vice president might begin with a breakfast conference called by the president. A legislative meeting might follow. The two officials confer with their party's congressional leaders about legislation being debated by the Senate and the House of Representatives. The vice president may then work at an office in the White House, the Executive Office Building, or the Senate wing of the Capitol. The vice president reads and answers mail and sees callers who have appointments. Tourists or unexpected visitors on emergency matters also may arrive. If the Senate is meeting that day, the vice president enters about noon to preside at the opening of the session. The vice president may remain at the session, depending on the nature of the day's business and the vice president's own schedule. If the vice president leaves, the president pro tempore or another senator takes over.

The vice president spends many evenings away from home. The vice president must make various kinds of public appearances, many of which require speeches. The vice president may go to the airport to greet dignitaries from other nations. Ceremonial duties may require the vice president to dedicate a public-works project, open an athletic tournament, or present an award to the winner of a contest.

President of the Senate. When presiding over the Senate, the vice president performs the duties of chairperson and cannot take part in any Senate debates. Nor can the vice president vote, except in the rare case of a tie. John Adams cast a deciding vote 29 times, more than did any other vice president.

The vice president enforces the rules established by the Senate for its own guidance. Senators can speak only after being recognized by the vice president or the president pro tempore. By using this power of recognition, the vice president can either aid or hold back legislation by permitting only certain senators to speak. The vice president also has the power to make rulings in disputes over procedure by interpreting the rules of the Senate. But the Senate can reject such rulings by a majority vote. In 1919, Vice President Thomas R. Marshall ruled three times in one day on a certain point. He was fighting to save the controversial Versailles Treaty and U.S. membership in the League of Nations. The Senate overruled Marshall three times and defeated the treaty.

The president of the Senate also directs the counting of electoral votes for president and vice president. Early vice presidents could decide whether to count or disallow disputed votes. Congress has since assumed this power, leaving the vice president only formally in charge of counting electoral votes.

Administration and policymaking. The vice president attends meetings of the president's Cabinet and is a member of the National Security Council (NSC). The NSC is the highest advisory body to the president on matters of foreign and defense policies. The vice president also is a member of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

The president may assign the vice president general counseling and liaison activities. Such duties may involve trips abroad to spread good will, exchange information, and learn about the attitudes of various nations toward the United States. The vice president may also act as an intermediary between the president and their political party. The vice president attempts to build party support for the president's program.

Social duties. One of the oldest functions of the vice president is to serve as ceremonial assistant to the president. For example, the vice president attends many receptions and other social events at which the president cannot be present. The vice president often plays host to dignitaries from other countries.

Some vice presidents have enjoyed their ceremonial and social duties, but others have not. Calvin Coolidge took a characteristically philosophic approach. When his hostess at a dinner once remarked to him how annoying it must be to have to dine out so often, Coolidge replied: "Have to eat somewhere." John Nance Garner drew the line on social life. He went to bed early and refused to receive calls from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., saying these hours "are my own."