Washington: Power transferred briefly to Vice-President Kamala Harris on Friday as President Joe Biden is under anaesthesia for a routine colonoscopy. This made Harris the first woman to hold presidential powers in the history of the United States.
Biden is undergoing his annual physical Walter Reed military hospital outside Washington, reported news agency Reuters. Harris is the first woman to serve the country as vice-president; no woman has ever become president in the US’ nearly 250-year history.
“Following the process set out in the Constitution, President Biden will transfer power to the Vice President for the brief period of time when he is under anaesthesia,” White House spokesperson Jen Psaki was quoted as saying in a statement by Reuters.
“The Vice President will work from her office in the West Wing during this time,” said Psaki said.
Earlier also, Presidential power has been transferred to the vice-president, when President George W. Bush had colonoscopies in 2002 and 2007.
