the two steps in taking a high government official, such as a president or a judge, from his position. The first step, impeachment, is a formal accusation by a simple majority of the House of Representatives. This vote leaves the accused in office, while he is “tried” by the Senate. A two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is necessary in order to remove someone from office. In all of American history, “Two Presidents, one Senator, one cabinet officer, and fifteen judges have been impeached, and of those only eight judges have been convicted and removed from office.” The House has “sole power of impeachment.” The House votes on articles of impeachment for “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” If that passes by a simple majority, the President is not yet removed from office, until (and unless) the next step is completed. The impeachment case is sent to the US Senate for trial, over which the Chief Justice of the SCOTUS presides. If the Senate votes by a two-thirds majority to convict, then the person will be removed from office. (Conservapedia)
Chronological History of Events Related to Impeachment
