Impeachment process

Definition

The impeachment process is a constitutional mechanism that allows Congress to remove a sitting president, vice president, or other federal officials from office for misconduct. It begins with an investigation, often by a House committee, to determine if there are sufficient grounds for impeachment, followed by the House voting to approve articles of impeachment. If the articles are passed, the process moves to the Senate, which conducts a trial and ultimately votes on whether to convict and remove the official.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The impeachment process is initiated in the House of Representatives, where a simple majority vote is needed to pass articles of impeachment.
2. Once the House approves articles of impeachment, the Senate takes over and conducts a trial, requiring a two-thirds majority vote to convict.
3. Impeachment does not mean removal; it is merely the formal accusation and can lead to various outcomes depending on the Senate's decision.
4. The Constitution specifies that the grounds for impeachment include 'high crimes and misdemeanors,' but this term is open to interpretation.
5. Only three U.S. presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump; however, none were removed from office.

Review Questions

• How does the impeachment process begin and what roles do both the House of Representatives and Senate play?
  • The impeachment process begins in the House of Representatives, where a committee investigates allegations against a federal official. If sufficient evidence is found, the committee drafts articles of impeachment that must be approved by a simple majority vote in the House. Once passed, the articles move to the Senate, which conducts a trial. In this trial, senators act as jurors and must reach a two-thirds majority vote to convict or acquit.
• Discuss the significance of 'high crimes and misdemeanors' in determining what constitutes an impeachable offense.
  • 'High crimes and misdemeanors' is a constitutional phrase that serves as the standard for impeachable offenses. This vague language allows Congress considerable discretion in interpreting what actions warrant impeachment. It emphasizes serious abuses of power and breaches of public trust rather than strictly criminal behavior. This flexibility means that political context often plays a significant role in decisions regarding impeachment.
• Evaluate how the outcomes of past impeachments have shaped public perception of both Congress's authority and presidential accountability.
  • The outcomes of past impeachments have significantly influenced how Congress's authority is perceived in relation to presidential accountability. For instance, since no president has been removed from office despite being impeached, this has led some to question whether impeachment is an effective tool for holding leaders accountable for misconduct. Additionally, high-profile impeachments have often polarized public opinion along party lines, which impacts both future congressional actions regarding impeachment and the overall relationship between branches of government.

Related terms

Articles of Impeachment: Formal charges brought against a federal official by the House of Representatives, outlining the alleged misconduct.

Senate Trial: The stage in the impeachment process where the Senate conducts a trial based on the articles of impeachment and determines whether to convict or acquit the official.

High Crimes and Misdemeanors: The standard set by the Constitution for impeachable offenses, which encompasses serious abuses of power and violations of public trust.