If both the President and the Vice President are unable to fulfill their duties of office, who is next in line?

The correct answer is the Speaker of the House because the Presidential Succession Act outlines the line of succession in the United States government. This act specifies that if both the President and Vice President are unable to perform their duties, the Speaker of the House is next in line to assume the presidency.

This order is based on the constitutional framework intended to ensure a continuity of governance. The Speaker is elected by the members of the House of Representatives and represents the legislative branch, making this position a critical link in the balance of power between the branches of government.

The majority leader, while an influential position within the House, does not have succession rights. Likewise, the Secretary of State and Secretary of War (now known as the Secretary of Defense) are part of the President's cabinet and are not in the direct line of succession unless the positions above them are also vacant. Therefore, the Speaker of the House is the appropriate and designated individual to lead the nation in such an event.