Impeachments

Impeachment Impeach: To bring formal charges against a public official Who can be impeached? – Defined by Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution – President, VP, and all Civil Officers Civil Officers include all people appointed by the President (Cabinet Members, Judges) – NOT Congress members or military officers

Impeachment Process – House Step One: Resolution – An inquiry of impeachment is referred to the House Judiciary Committee, or an impeachment bill is introduced Step Two: Committee Vote – The House Judiciary Committee reviews the evidence and votes

Impeachment Process – House Step Three: House Vote – The full house will review evidence and vote on impeachment Step Four: Hearing – The Judiciary Committee will hold hearings into the accusations

Impeachment Process – House Step Five: Report – After the hearings, the committee will vote on one or more of the bills of impeachment and issue a report to the full House, and declaring Articles of Impeachment Step Six: House Vote – The entire House votes on the Articles of Impeachment. If the vote gets a simple majority (51%), the official is impeached

Impeachment Process – Senate Step Seven: Senate Trial – After impeachment, a trial is conducted on the Senate floor. The House Judiciary Committee acts as the prosecution against the accused The accused is defended by his own lawyers The Senate acts as the jury The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court acts as the judge and presides over the trial

Impeachment Process – Senate Step Eight: Senate Vote – The Senate will vote on each Article of Impeachment. If a two-thirds majority supports the impeachment, the official is removed from office There have been a total of 17 impeachments; seven convictions to date (all seven judges) – Two Presidents

Andrew Johnson – Dem. Became 17 th President after Lincoln assassination Disagreed with Cabinet members, fired Secretary of War Edwin Stanton – Violated Tenure of Office Act Radical Republicans controlled Congress voted to impeach Johnson on 11 articles Senate tries the case, Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase presides. Vote to impeach is – One vote shy of necessary 2/3; Johnson acquitted.

Bill Clinton – Dem. Presidential Impeachment stemmed from his inappropriate relationship with intern Monica Lewinsky HJC approves four articles: 2 counts of perjury, 1 obstruction of justice, and one count of falsifying official statements Democrats want a censure, Republicans refuse – Formal condemnation of behavior (slap on the wrist)

Bill Clinton The House votes to impeach Clinton on two counts, on perjury and on obstruction of justice – Voting was mostly along party lines Senate tries, led by Chief Justice William Rehnquist. After trial, the Senate deliberates in secret for 3 days Senate votes to acquit Clinton on both charges. Perjury vote NG, Obs