 FACT: Circumstances in which the Speaker of the House takes over as  President are misleading in the film. Even with a written  declaration from Congress, under the 25th Amendment to the U.S.  Constitution, the Vice President still assumes the duties of Acting  President, not the Speaker of the House. Also, Congress must  assemble within 48 hours of the President being declared unable to  discharge the office, providing that Congress at the time is not in  session. The only way the Speaker can take over is if the Vice  President transfers such duties of leadership, in written form, to  the Speaker and Congress. Also, it would take 21 days for any change  in power to become official.