Why this impeachment attempt is likely to failpublished at 12:00 GMT
Impeachment of a cabinet secretary is rare – it must be approved by both bedrooms that the secretary be removed from office.
After Republican Rep. Thomas Massie formally presented his articles of impeachment in a resolution introduced in the House Monday afternoon – a 48 hour clock started for the chamber to take the measure.
Lawmakers could vote directly on the resolution, vote to send it to committee or set it aside.
For the resolution to be adopted by the House, it is necessary a simple majority. Even with all the support from Democrats, it would likely need support from some Republicans, as the party holds a slim majority.
Republicans remain in power in Congress until January – there are currently 218 Republicans and 214 Democrats in the House.
While the House requires a simple majority to pass articles of impeachment, the Senate mandates a two-thirds vote (67 votes) convict and remove an official from office – a difficult threshold to reach during the current term of Congress.
There have only been two cabinet secretaries and three presidents impeached: Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump (who was impeached twice).
All were acquitted by the Senate, allowing them to remain in office.
Image source, EPA/ShutterstockGn headline
