Impeachment in the United States

Impeachment in the Legislative Process

The power of Congress to remove from office any federal civil official—up to and including the president—deemed guilty of “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” In such cases, the House has the sole power to impeach—that is, to bring charges against the offending official. If the House votes to impeach, the Senate then serves as judge and jury in impeachment cases. So far in American history, only two presidents have ever been impeached—Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998. Neither was convicted by the Senate, and thus both remained in office. A third president, Richard Nixon, resigned from the presidency in 1974 in order to avoid an impeachment trial he was almost certain to lose over the Watergate scandal.

More about Impeachment in the Legislative Process

This is the process by which the president can be removed from office. When the House of Representatives concludes that the president has committed an impeachable offense (“treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors”), it draws up “articles of impeachment,” a list of specific charges against the president. The House then presents its case against the president to the Senate, which acts as the jury for the president’s impeachment trial. A two-thirds vote in the Senate is required to remove the president from office.

Development of the Idea and Details

A process in which a governmental figure, like a president, is accused of breaking the law in a serious enough way to warrant being kicked out of office.

Concept of Impeachment

In the U.S., in the context of the U.S. Congress (Senate and House of Representatives), Impeachment has the following meaning: A component of the legal method of removing high government officials prior to the next election. Impeachment is the accusation or indictment the House of Representatives lodges against an official (requiring a majority vote). This is followed by a trial in the Senate (where conviction requires a two-thirds vote). (Source of this definition of Impeachment : University of Texas)

Impeachment

Impeachment (in Politics)

Related to political science, the following is a definition of Impeachment in the U.S. practice of politics: An impeachment is a formal charge of criminality raised against an elected official in the first step to remove them from office. In the federal government, only the House of Representatives may bring an impeachment while only the Senate may try and convict the accused. A conviction requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate and results in removal of the accused from office.

Impeachment can also occur at the state level, according to their respective state constitutions.

The impeachment process should not be confused with a recall election which is usually initiated by voters.

Impeachment in Constitutional Law

A list of entries related to Impeachment may be found, under the Impeachment category, in the United States constitutional law platform of this legal Encyclopedia.

Impeachment Background

Impeachment Background

Resources

See Also

• Congress
• Senate
• House of Representatives

Impeachment (in Politics)

Related to political science, the following is a definition of Impeachment in the U.S. practice of politics: An impeachment is a formal charge of criminality raised against an elected official in the first step to remove them from office. In the federal government, only the House of Representatives may bring an impeachment while only the Senate may try and convict the accused. A conviction requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate and results in removal of the accused from office.

Impeachment can also occur at the state level, according to their respective state constitutions.

The impeachment process should not be confused with a recall election which is usually initiated by voters.

Impeachment in Constitutional Law

A list of entries related to Impeachment may be found, under the Impeachment category, in the United States constitutional law platform of this legal Encyclopedia.

Impeachment Background

Impeachment Background

Resources

See Also

• Legislative Power
• Legislative History
• Legislative Ethics
• Legislative Session
• Legislature
• Legal Aid
• Legislative Commissions
• Legislative Branch
• Legislation
• Executive Branch
• Legislative Function

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Another Impeachment Definition in the Legislative Process

The following is a definition of Impeachment, by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL): Procedure to remove from office a public official accused of misconduct.

Concept of Impeachment

In the U.S., in the context of the U.S. Congress (Senate and House of Representatives), Impeachment has the following meaning: A component of the legal method of removing high government officials prior to the next election. Impeachment is the accusation or indictment the House of Representatives lodges against an official (requiring a majority vote). This is followed by a trial in the Senate (where conviction requires a two-thirds vote). (Source of this definition of Impeachment : University of Texas)

Impeachment

Impeachment (in Politics)

Related to political science, the following is a definition of Impeachment in the U.S. practice of politics: An impeachment is a formal charge of criminality raised against an elected official in the first step to remove them from office. In the federal government, only the House of Representatives may bring an impeachment while only the Senate may try and convict the accused. A conviction requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate and results in removal of the accused from office.

Impeachment can also occur at the state level, according to their respective state constitutions.

The impeachment process should not be confused with a recall election which is usually initiated by voters.

Impeachment in Constitutional Law

A list of entries related to Impeachment may be found, under the Impeachment category, in the United States constitutional law platform of this legal Encyclopedia.

Impeachment Background

Impeachment Background

Resources

See Also

• Congress
• Senate
• House of Representatives

Impeachment (in Politics)

Related to political science, the following is a definition of Impeachment in the U.S. practice of politics: An impeachment is a formal charge of criminality raised against an elected official in the first step to remove them from office. In the federal government, only the House of Representatives may bring an impeachment while only the Senate may try and convict the accused. A conviction requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate and results in removal of the accused from office.

Impeachment can also occur at the state level, according to their respective state constitutions.

The impeachment process shou
ld not be confused with a recall election which is usually initiated by voters.

Impeachment in Constitutional Law

A list of entries related to Impeachment may be found, under the Impeachment category, in the United States constitutional law platform of this legal Encyclopedia.

Impeachment Background

Impeachment Background

Resources

See Also

• Legislative Power
• Legislative History
• Legislative Ethics
• Legislative Session
• Legislature
• Legal Aid
• Legislative Commissions
• Legislative Branch
• Legislation
• Executive Branch
• Legislative Function

Popular Searches related with the United States Legislature and Impeachment

• Legislative Power Definition
• State Legislature
• Legislature Calendar
• Congress
• Legislature Members
• Government
• Legislative Session
• Judicial
• Legislators
• Senate
• Legal Forms
• Laws
• Statutes
• Governor
• Judiciary
• Legislature Bills
• Legislation Definition
• Legislation Meaning
• Legislative Information

Impeachment Definition in the context of the Federal Court System

The process of calling a witness’s testimony into doubt. For example, if the attorney can show that the witness may have fabricated portions of his testimony, the witness is said to be “impeached.” (2) The constitutional process whereby the House of Representatives may “impeach” (accuse of misconduct) high officers of the federal government, who are then removed from office if found guilty in a trial before the Senate.