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Many Americans were dissatisfied with the impeachment of President Clinton. Consider whether the impeachment provisions of the Constitution ought to be reformed.
Impeachment in the Constitution
Impeachment is covered in three distinct parts of the Constitution.
Article I, section 2 grants the House of Representatives the power to impeach
a high civil officer. Article I, section 3 grants the Senate the power
to try the impeachments issued by the House of Representatives; dictates
that the Chief Justice will preside when the President is impeached; requires
that two-thirds of the Senate must confer in order to convict an impeached
official; and limits punishment to removal from office and disqualification
for future office. Article II, section 4 declares what level of offenses
are impeachable.
Article I, section 2
The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers;
and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
Article I, section 3
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When
sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the
President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside:
And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds
of the Members present.
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.
Article II, section 4
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United
States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction
of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Impeachment Links Constitutional Rights Foundation
Research
Guide on Impeachment Library of Congress
