What Does It Mean to Impeach?
The Founding Fathers were careful to include in the U.S. Constitution a method of removing corrupt government officials from office. Impeachment is the first step in a lengthy process.
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Constitutional Provision
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According to Article II, Section 4 of the U. S. Constitution, "the President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." Article I, Section 3 spells out the roles played by the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Role of the House of Representatives
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The impeachment process starts in the judiciary committee of the House of Representatives, which decides whether to authorize an investigation. If enough evidence of crime is uncovered, articles of impeachment are sent to the full House of Representatives, where the articles must pass with a majority vote.
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Role of the Senate
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After House approval, the articles of impeachment go to the Senate, which acts as a jury for a trial prosecuted by the House of Representatives. Conviction requires a two-thirds affirmative vote by the Senate members present.
Historic Impeachments
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Though articles of impeachment have been filed against nine U.S. presidents, only two presidents, Andrew Johnson and William Clinton, have been brought to trial. In 1868, Johnson avoided impeachment by just one vote. Clinton survived his 1999 impeachment trial by a vote of 55-to-45. In 1974, President Richard Nixon chose to resign from office before official proceedings were underway.
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