Relative to the current U.S. job market, being vice president is a decent job, though the office itself has little power and limited opportunities for advancement. Here are the duties of the office: The vice president is the presiding officer of the United States Senate, though this contradicts the principle of the separation of powers. As the president of the Senate, and as a potential successor to the presidency, the vice president is not allowed to join in debates. In case of a tie, however, the vice president may cast the deciding vote. In practice, the vice president presides over the Senate only when a close vote is expected and on ceremonial occasions. The vice president also attends meetings of the president's cabinet and other committees. Other tasks may be assigned by the president, and the vice president often serves as an official representative of the nation to other countries when the president is unable to travel abroad. Though the vice president has none of the executive power of the president, he does share in a few of the executive privileges.
Besides holding parties such as the annual Halloween Costume Party for the Washington press corps, the vice president also may be included in official events such as state dinners at the White House—if the president so chooses. Also, when the vice president travels to other countries to represent the United States, expenses are covered. The vice president receives a salary of $79,125 plus $10,000 for job expenses, which is supplemented (since 1975) by annual cost-of-living increases—as determined by the president. In comparison, the president's salary is $250,000. The president also has the use of the White House, the presidential plane Air Force One, and Camp David. Though the vice president cannot use Camp David unless he is invited there by the president, there is a vice presidential version of the White House. In addition, vice presidents have access to Air Force Two.
Today, vice presidents live in a 33-room white brick Victorian mansion located on the grounds of the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. The house was built in 1893 for the Superintendent of the United States Naval Observatory. In 1929, the house was designated as the residence of the U.S. Navy's chief of operations.
In 1974, the house was designated the official residence of the vice president. Vice presidents Mondale, Bush, Quayle, and Gore have lived there, along with their families. The home was extensively remodeled in 1993, and today it is filled with a rotating exhibit of American Impressionist Art chosen by Tipper Gore. Upstairs, a guest room was converted to a family room and kitchen so the Gore children could hide from official parties downstairs.
Vice presidents, as well as members of their immediate family, receive the same Secret Service protection as the presidential family. Though the Secret Service continues to protect former presidents for 10 years after they leave office, there is no such regular service for vice presidents.
Even though former vice presidents may not be accompanied by Secret Service agents, they do have a special security detail while they are candidates. Secret Service agents provide protection for all "major" presidential and vice-presidential candidates for 120 days before the national election. The determination of who qualifies as a major candidate is not made by the Secret Service, but by a special committee of congressional leaders. Once assigned, agents protect each candidate just as they would the president or vice president. This branch of the Secret Service, the Major Events Division Candidate Nominee Operations Section, is invariably present at public events such as rallies and debates, conducting careful security checks of the facilities and background checks of individuals who may be near the candidates long before the actual public appearance. These measures were made the responsibility of the Secret Service by Congress in 1968, after the assassination of presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy.
If the benefits of the vice presidency interest you, click here to learn more about the job description.