Impeachment SSCG 9 What is impeachment Impeachment bringing

Impeachment SSCG 9

What is impeachment? • Impeachment: bringing formal charges against an elected official • The Constitution gives Congress the power of impeachment • House of Representatives has the sole power to impeach • Senate acts as the jury during the impeachment trial • Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is in charge of the impeachment trial

Impeachment Process 1. House Judiciary Committee debates charges 2. House debates charges & subpoenas witnesses 3. House votes on articles if majority agree, article of impeachment is sent to the Senate 4. The Senate tries the case 5. Senators hear evidence and testimony 6. The Senate debates the articles. They could: • Drop the case • Issue a punishment • Remove from office No president convicted

Reasons for Impeachment • Reasons for impeachment: treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors • The penalty for conviction (being found guilty) is removal from office

Presidential Impeachment

Presidential Impeachment: Andrew Johnson & Bill Clinton Andrew Johnson: William J. Clinton: • Replaced Abraham Lincoln • Impeached 1998 • Impeached 1868 • House voted to impeach on four articles • House votes 126 to 47 impeach • Violation of the Tenure of Office Act • Senate tries but does not convict • Perjury & obstruction of Justice • Senate holds televised trial • Clinton acquitted