Who starts an impeachment process?

Who starts an impeachment process?

• A. The Senate
• B. The House of Representatives
• C. The President
• D. The Supreme Court

Answer: (B)

Impeachment starts in the House because the Constitution gives the House the sole power to accuse, or impeach, federal officers. Members vote to bring formal charges (articles of impeachment) when they believe high crimes or misdemeanors have occurred. If the House approves, the process moves to the Senate for a trial. The President isn’t the one who initiates impeachment, and the Supreme Court doesn’t start the process; in a presidential impeachment, the Senate conducts the trial (with the Chief Justice presiding if the President is the one on trial). This division of roles is why the starting point is the House.

Impeachment starts in the House because the Constitution gives the House the sole power to accuse, or impeach, federal officers. Members vote to bring formal charges (articles of impeachment) when they believe high crimes or misdemeanors have occurred. If the House approves, the process moves to the Senate for a trial. The President isn’t the one who initiates impeachment, and the Supreme Court doesn’t start the process; in a presidential impeachment, the Senate conducts the trial (with the Chief Justice presiding if the President is the one on trial). This division of roles is why the starting point is the House.