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Impeachments

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)

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Impeachments

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  1. Impeachments

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. Andrew Johnson – Dem. • Became 17th President after Lincoln assassination • Disagreed with Cabinet members, fired Secretary of War Edwin Stanton • Violated Tenure of Office Act • Radical Republicans controlled Congress voted 126-47 to impeach Johnson on 11 articles • Senate tries the case, Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase presides. Vote to impeach is 35-19. • One vote shy of necessary 2/3; Johnson acquitted.

  9. 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)

  10. Bill Clinton • The House votes to impeach Clinton on two counts, 228-206 on perjury and 221-212 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 55-45 vote NG, Obs. 50-50

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