preview

Describe The Process Of Impeachment

Better Essays

When a new president is elected, they must take an oath that contains many large responsibilities. If the president fails to maintain these responsibilities or abuses his powers, the constitution provides the House of Representatives with the right to impeach the president. Article one of the United States Constitution gives them this power. This also gives the Senate the power to try impeachments. State constitutions contain similar things that allow the state legislature to impeach state officials who are not doing a good job. The process of impeachment is long and hard, for a president to be impeached, they have to violate certain things, and there have only been two U.S. presidents impeached.
Impeachment begins in the House of Representatives. …show more content…

The process can begin with non-members when an Independent Counsel warns the House of trustworthy information that they believe could be grounds for impeachment, by a charge from a State legislature or grand jury, and by petition. Normally, the House Committee on the Judiciary carry out the impeachment investigation, but sometimes it is delegated to specific subcommittees. The House examines the charges prior to any vote. The purpose of the investigation is to determine if the president was involved in treason or any other high crimes and misdemeanors. If it is determined by majority vote that grounds for impeachment exist, it will be reported to the full House. A vote to impeach by the House must have “a simple majority of those present and voting, upon satisfaction of quorum requirements” (Halstead 3). If the House votes to impeach, then managers are chosen to present the issue to the Senate. The managers will then appear before the Senate to impeach the individual in question. In the Senate, the proceedings are governed by the “Rules of Procedure and Practice” (Halstead 4). …show more content…

When Andrew Johnson took over as president in 1865, he did not agree with the legislation that was being passed and kept vetoing it. Congress then passed the “Tenure of Office Act, which required Johnson to get permission from Congress before firing any member of the executive branch who had been approved by Congress” (“High Crimes and Misdemeanors” 1). He responded by firing the sectary of war. The House then passed eleven articles of impeachment against him. These charges seem to be politically motivated and not based on “High Crimes and

Get Access