the starr report
BACKGROUND | IMPEACHMENT | PLAYERS | TIMELINE

BY THE BOOK

POLL
What should happen next?
How the United States Constitution outlines impeachment proceedings against a sitting president.


1 Congress weighs impeachment
"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." -- Article IV, Section 4.

PRECEDENT
President Andrew Johnson in 1868 survived impeachment by one vote. He is the only president to ever endure impeachment proceedings. He later regained his Senate seat.
2 House gets majority vote
"The House of Representatives... shall have the sole power of impeachment." -- Article I, Section 2, Clause 5.

3 Senate gets two-thirds vote
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." -- Article I, Section 3, Clause 6.

4 Clinton gets ousted, is liable in court of law
"Judgment in the 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 I, Section 3, Clause 7.

PRECEDENT
President Richard Nixon skirted impeachment in 1974 by resigning. He is the only president to ever resign.
5 Gore becomes president
"In case of the removal of the president from office or of his death or resignation, the vice president shall become president." -- Amendment XXV, Section 1.

6 Gore cannot pardon Clinton
"The president does not have power in cases of impeachment to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States." -- Article II, Section 2, Clause 1.