Impeachment
How Congress can charge and remove federal officials. 10 questions, each answer with its official source.
Test Yourself FirstWhich chamber has the sole power of impeachment?
The House
Article I, Section 2 gives the House the sole power of impeachment, which works like bringing charges.
Which body tries impeachments?
The Senate
Article I, Section 3 gives the Senate the sole power to try all impeachments.
What vote does the House need to impeach?
A simple majority of those voting
The Constitution sets no threshold for impeachment, and the House adopts articles of impeachment by a simple majority.
What vote does the Senate need to convict?
Two-thirds of the senators present
Article I, Section 3 says no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present.
Who presides when the Senate tries a president?
The Chief Justice
Article I, Section 3 says that when the president is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside.
What are the constitutional grounds for impeachment?
Treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors
Article II, Section 4 lists treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
Besides the president and vice president, who can be impeached?
Civil officers of the United States, including federal judges
Article II, Section 4 covers the president, the vice president and all civil officers of the United States. Most impeachments in history have involved federal judges.
What penalties can a Senate conviction bring?
Removal from office and possibly disqualification from future federal office
Article I, Section 3 limits the judgment to removal and disqualification. The person can still face criminal charges in the courts.
Can the president pardon someone to stop an impeachment?
No, the pardon power does not reach impeachment
Article II, Section 2 gives the president power to grant pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.
What must senators do before sitting in an impeachment trial?
Take an oath or affirmation
Article I, Section 3 says that when sitting to try impeachments, senators shall be on oath or affirmation.
Other Topics
- How Congress WorksHow a Bill Becomes LawFrom introduction to the president's desk
- How Congress WorksThe House435 voting members, elected every two years
- How Congress WorksThe SenateTwo senators per state, six-year terms
- How Congress WorksCommitteesWhere most bills are studied, amended or left to wait
- How Congress WorksFloor Votes and Roll CallsHow members vote and how votes are recorded
- How Congress WorksThe Filibuster and ClotureExtended debate in the Senate and how to end it
- How Congress WorksVetoes and OverridesThe president's no, and how Congress can overcome it
- How Congress WorksThe Budget and AppropriationsHow Congress decides what the government can spend
- How Congress WorksTreaties and NominationsThe Senate's advice and consent