[United States Government Manual] [June 01, 2008] [Pages 87-88] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES THE VICE PRESIDENT Dick Cheney ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Article II, section I, of the Constitution provides that the President ``shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years . . . together with the Vice President . . . .'' In addition to his role as President of the Senate, the Vice President is empowered [[Page 88]] to succeed to the Presidency, pursuant to Article II and the 20th and 25th amendments to the Constitution. The executive functions of the Vice President include participation in Cabinet meetings and, by statute, membership on the National Security Council and the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. ------------------------------------------------------------------------