Impeachment Process Quiz

Impeachment Process

1. Definition

   • Impeachment is a constitutional procedure to remove a sitting president, vice president, or other federal officials for misconduct.

2. Constitutional Basis

   • U.S. Constitution Articles:
     • Article I: Legislative authority to impeach.
     • Article II, Section 4: Grounds for impeachment are "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

3. Steps in the Impeachment Process

   • Investigation

     • Typically conducted by the House Judiciary Committee or a designated subcommittee.
     • Collects evidence and conducts hearings.

   • House of Representatives

     • Introduction of Articles of Impeachment: Formal charges drafted and presented.
     • Majority vote required to approve the articles.
     • If passed, the official is impeached.

   • Senate Trial

     • The Senate conducts a trial overseen by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (when the president is impeached).
     • Both sides present evidence and arguments.
     • Senators act as jurors.

   • Voting in the Senate

     • Requires a two-thirds majority vote for conviction.
     • If convicted, the official is removed from office.
     • Senate may also vote to disqualify the official from holding future office.

4. Key Considerations

   • Impeachment is primarily a political process rather than a legal one.
   • Precedents and political dynamics can influence outcomes.
   • Historical examples include Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton.

5. Implications of Impeachment

   • Removal from office is not the only possible outcome; disqualification from future office is also a potential consequence.
   • Impeachment does not carry criminal penalties; separate criminal proceedings may occur afterward.

Impeachment Definition

• A constitutional process to remove a sitting president, vice president, or other federal officials for misconduct.

Constitutional Basis

• Article I of the U.S. Constitution outlines legislative authority to impeach.
• Article II, Section 4 outlines grounds for impeachment, including "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

Impeachment Process

• Investigation: Typically conducted by the House Judiciary Committee or a subcommittee, collecting evidence and holding hearings.
• House of Representatives: Introduces articles of impeachment (formal charges), requiring a majority vote for approval and impeachment.
• Senate Trial: Conducted by the Senate, overseen by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (if the president is impeached).
• Voting in the Senate: Both sides present evidence and arguments. A two-thirds majority vote is needed for conviction, which removes the official from office and potentially disqualifies them from future office.

Key Considerations

• Impeachment is primarily political with legal elements. Precedents and political dynamics influence outcomes.
• Notable examples include Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton.

Implications of Impeachment

• Removal from office is not the only outcome; disqualification from future office is possible.
• Impeachment does not carry criminal penalties, but separate criminal proceedings may occur afterward.