The vice presidency has changed—A LOT

Summary

The historical evolution of the U.S. vice presidency transformed from an inconsequential role to a significant executive partnership, with key moments including Warren Harding and FDR inviting VPs to Cabinet meetings and Jimmy Carter treating Walter Mondale as a full policy partner. Early vice presidents like John Adams viewed the position as largely ceremonial, with minimal constitutional duties limited to Senate tie-breaking and presidential succession. By the mid-20th century, presidents like Eisenhower and Carter began integrating vice presidents more deeply into policy-making, ultimately establishing the modern vice presidency as an influential and collaborative position within the Executive Branch.