<P> I personally know he did intend to invoke the amendment, and he conveyed that to all of his staff and it was conveyed to the VP as well as the President of the Senate . He was also very firm in his wish not to create a precedent binding his successor . </P> <P> On June 29, 2002, President George W. Bush underwent a colonoscopy and chose to invoke Section 3 of the amendment, temporarily transferring his powers to Vice President Dick Cheney . The medical procedure began at 7: 09 a.m. EDT and ended at 7: 29 a.m. EDT . Bush woke up twenty minutes later, but did not resume his presidential powers and duties until 9: 24 a.m. EDT after the president's physician, Richard Tubb, conducted an overall examination . Tubb said he recommended the additional time to make sure the sedative had no aftereffects . Unlike Reagan's 1985 letter, Bush's 2002 letter specifically cited Section 3 as the authority for the transfer of power . </P> <P> On July 21, 2007, President Bush again invoked Section 3 in response to having to undergo a colonoscopy, temporarily transferring his powers to Vice President Cheney . President Bush invoked Section 3 at 7: 16 a.m. EDT . He reclaimed his powers at 9: 21 a.m. EDT . As happened in 2002, Bush specifically cited Section 3 when he transferred the Presidential powers to the Vice President and when he reclaimed those powers . </P> <P> Twice there was a documented instance in which invoking Section 4 of the Twenty - fifth Amendment was considered, both times involving the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan . </P>

When was the last time the 25th amendment was used