U.S. Senate Functions and Impeachment Process

Vice President of the Senate

• The Vice President is the president of the Senate
• The Vice President does not vote unless there is a tie
• The Senate chooses a new leader if the Vice President is not present

Impeachment Trials

• If the House of Representatives votes to impeach a government official, the Senate holds a trial
• If the official is the President or Vice President, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides over the trial
• A two-thirds vote in the Senate is needed to convict and remove an official from office

Government Officials

• Government officials can be removed from office if guilty in an impeachment trial
• The Senate can't issue other punishments at the time of the impeachment trial
• There can be a later trial in court if the official broke laws

Congressional Meetings

• Each state determines when and where to hold elections for representatives and senators
• Congress must meet at least once a year
• A majority of members must be present for Congress to conduct business

Congressional Procedures

• Congress determines how to conduct its meetings
• A member can be removed from Congress if two-thirds of the members agree
• Congress keeps a journal detailing its activities and members' votes; it is publicly available
• Congress and the Senate can't be separated for more than three days without the other group's consent; both houses must meet in the same city

Congressional Compensation and Privileges

• Members of Congress are paid by the U.S. Treasury
• Members of Congress are generally immune from arrest while Congress is in session, unless they commit serious crimes like murder

Explore the crucial roles and responsibilities of the Vice President in the Senate, impeachment trials, and the requirements for government officials. This quiz covers how the Senate operates and the procedures for holding officials accountable. Test your knowledge on the procedures that shape the U.S. government.