Does the VP Have A Legislative Role?
One of the most bizarre (to use Sen. Biden’s term) episodes during the debate was Biden’s response to the question of whether the Vice-President has a legislative role. His response: IFILL: Vice President Cheney’s interpretation of the vice presidency? BIDEN: Vice President Cheney has been the most dangerous vice president we’ve had probably in American history. The idea he doesn’t realize that Article I of the Constitution defines the role of the vice president of the United States, that’s the Executive Branch. He works in the Executive Branch. He should understand that. Everyone should understand that. And the primary role of the vice president of the United States of America is to support the president of the United States of America, give that president his or her best judgment when sought, and as vice president, to preside over the Senate, only in a time when in fact there’s a tie vote. The Constitution is explicit. The only authority the vice president has from the legislative st
