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And it's SO vague...Impeachment
Under the Constitution, the House of Representatives has the power to impeach a government official, in effect serving as prosecutor. The Senate then holds the impeachment trial, essentially serving as jury and judge, except in the impeachment of a president when the chief justice presides.

And the main question is...If House and Senate members weren't supposed to be covered by the impeachment article why is there a special provision only in the case of a presidential impeachment?
I find it hard to fathom that impeachment was intended to cover just judges and presidents.

Exactly one legislator, a Senator, was impeached almost two centuries ago for public drunkenness. Since then, the Supreme Court has made it clear that the provisions for removal of a Senator or Representative by their respective Houses are the sole means for expulsion, and that impeachment only applies to the Executive and Judicial Branches.

So, whatever you may think the impeachment language might cover (and so thought the Senate, long ago), the issue is now settled, and impeachment applies only as I described. Note that expulsion by either House -- last applied to Rep. James Trafficant (D - Ohio) -- requires a two-thirds vote, the same as is required in the Senate in a civil trial to convict after impeachment (similar to indictment) by the House. So, the burden to remove is about the same, regardless of the method used.

P.S. My primary is over, but because of certain legal and ethical problems, the incumbent, Charles Taylor may withdraw/be forced out, and I am in the running to be chosen as the replacement nominee for Congress in the 11th District of NC. For more information, see the article below, and my website. I still need your help.

Congressman Billybob

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