US President Joe Biden on Friday will undergo a routine colonoscopy and the power will be transferred to Vice President Kamala Harris, the White House said.

“This morning, the President will travel to Walter Reed Medical Center for a routine physical. While he is there, the President will undergo a routine colonoscopy,” Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

“As was the case when President George W. Bush had the same procedure in 2002 and 2007, and 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 anesthesia. The Vice President will work from her office in the West Wing during this time.”

What is a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy, as per Cleveland clinic, is a test that allows a healthcare provider to see inside your large intestine. “This procedure is done with a flexible camera called a scope. This test is used to check out symptoms like bleeding, as well as look for polyps and possible signs of colon cancer.”

In medical terms, it is the endoscopic examination of the large bowel and the distal part of the small bowel. The procedure is carried with a CCD camera or a fiber optic camera on a flexible tube passed through the anus.

Colonoscopy can remove polyps smaller than one millimeter. Polyps are tissue growths that are small, flat bumps or tiny mushroom-like stalks. Once they are removed, they can be studied with the aid of a microscope.