Congress And The Impeachment Process

The United States of America is known as a land of equals and a land “of the free.” From separation of powers to check and balances, the Founding Fathers displayed a desire for equilibrium, rather than for usurpation. Although the three branches of government display equality, the development of the legislative branch over time- i.e. the shift of delegation powers- has shown that Congress holds the most power making final decisions through impeachment, oversights, and accepting or denying presidential requests- i.e. treaties and the appointment of judges. Within two centuries, Congress, considered as the “boss” of the executive and judiciary, has transformed into the nation’s instrumental powerhouse. Under Article I of the United States (U.S)
According to Article II Section 4, Congress can impeach “a president, vice president, and other executive officials” (pg 241) on account of “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes” and bring the individual to court to determine whether he or she is guilty or not. Furthermore, an impeachment is analogous to a criminal indictment, and the House of the Representatives is the “grand jury,” which demonstrates that the judiciary branch cannot be involved in the impeachment process, but rather, the person who is accused of the charges and Congress is present during the process. The House of the Representatives votes on whether or not an executive officer is worthy of impeachment, and the House, through majority rule, determines whether or not a trial will occur in the Senate. The Senate, through a two-thirds majority rule, decides on a conviction and a forcible removal of the individual from office. Subsequently, the impeachment process substantiates Congress’ power over the executive branch by demonstrating the power of the final word on any executive officer, especially the president. For example, in 1974, the House of Representatives embarked on impeachment of President Richard Nixon, due to the Watergate Scandal; however, fearing the publicity, Richard Nixon resigned from office, before the impeachment was fully underway.
Although bureaucracies, or institutions that “deliver government goods efficiently” (pg. 309), are responsible for implementing a legislation passed by Congress, Congress maintains control through oversights- when committees and subcommittees follow bureaucratic implementations of the piece of legislation passed. Specific committees and subcommittees have specific “oversight powers” over specific bureaucratic agencies in the executive branch, and there are committees are in the House and in the Senate that can oversee other agencies that are not in their jurisdiction. Therefore, the implementation of oversight is greatly evident through public hearings, during which agencies in the executive branch and additional individuals present and protect their data. A committee and subcommittee hearing in 2012 regarding the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, involved the Central Intelligence Agency and the Department of State, both of which were interrogated for deaths of several individuals, including the U.S. Ambassador and four Americans, and for “the destruction of the facility” due to their inability to maintain security. Thus, each agency holds a responsibility to the Congress to display all resources in order to maintain its life; accordingly, Congress’ immense power is even more distinguishable by the ability to apply “the