Once an official is impeached by the House of Representatives, what procedures does the Senate follow in the impeachment trial?
A. The U.S. Constitution specifies that the Senate has the “sole power to try all impeachments.” Beyond what the Constitution specifies regarding impeachment trials, the Senate has established certain rules of procedure for these trials. In the event of an impeachment trial, the full Senate sits as a jury–with the Chief Justice of the United States (William H. Rehnquist) presiding over the proceeding in cases of presidential impeachment. Designated members of the House, referred to as “managers,” would prosecute the case by “exhibiting” the articles of impeachment. The Senate has powers to carry out its constitutional authority to try impeachments (issuing writs, mandates, contempt citations, etc.).
