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The vice president is accused of breaking some laws. What can be done about the situation?

A The president can fire the vice president.
B The people can vote the vice president out of office.
C The House of Representatives can bring impeachment charges.
D The Supreme Court can appoint a new vice president.

2 Answers

3 votes

Answer:

C. The House of Representatives can bring impeachment charges.

Step-by-step explanation:

Proof

{excerpt from} Article I, Section 2

The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment. (Clause 5)

{excerpt from} Article I, Section 3:

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. Judgment in 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. (Clauses 6 and 7)

Why not choice A?

The president, being head of the executive branch, already has quite a bit of power. (see attached images for more details) One of the main principles of the US Constitution is the Separation of Powers, which means no one branch has total control and can be "checked" or aligned in case something goes wrong (as far as power and regulation are concerned).

Why not choice B?

While the Constitution values the input of the public, many writers of this document didn't trust the general opinion because there was a significant population that was not well education, and in fact there still is. And if voters don't have direct effect on the election of the president, they wouldn't have the power to impeach. The Constitution IS the law of the land, regardless, and logically this choice can be eliminated.

Why not choice D?

While the Supreme Court does get to approve cabinet members (the president's advisors) and has this power as a checks over the Executive Branch, this is not the first step taken when anyone in office is accused of high crimes, misdemeanors, etc. Directly, the Constitution states that the House (even though it is the lower branch of Congress), has the power to impeach. This is a trial to prove the validity of these accusations and if true, DOES NOT remove the person responsible from their position. The Supreme Court will take this and other necessary and lawful actions to remedy this situation and if BOTH houses of Congress agree to remove the VP from office, The Supreme Court will appoint a new one.

The vice president is accused of breaking some laws. What can be done about the situation-example-1
The vice president is accused of breaking some laws. What can be done about the situation-example-2
User Patroqueeet
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6.3k points
4 votes

Answer:

C.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the vice president is accused of breaking some laws, the House of Representatives can bring impeachment charges to prove or not prove the vice president guilty.

User Clara
by
5.1k points