What are the procedural steps in the House for turning an impeachment resolution into an adopted article of impeachment?
Executive summary
The House can turn an impeachment resolution into an adopted article of impeachment through a sequence of steps that typically begins with introduction or an authorized inquiry, moves through committee investigation and markup, and culminates in a floor vote where a simple majority adopts each article; once adopted, articles are transmitted to the Senate and managers are appointed to prosecute the trial [1] [2] [3]. Many elements of that path are governed by House rules, committee practices, and precedent—meaning timing, which committee acts, and the use of privileged procedures can vary and are often shaped by partisan strategy [4] [5].
1. Initiation: introduction of a resolution or authorization of an inquiry
Impeachment proceedings often begin when a Member formally introduces an impeachment resolution, or when the full House grants a committee authority to investigate by passing a simple “impeachment authorizing” resolution that explicitly directs an inquiry and may expand committee powers—both routes are historically established and repeatedly cited in House precedent [1] [4] [6].
2. Authorization and inquiry: committee gains investigatory power
Before exercising compulsory process tied to impeachment, committees ordinarily seek and the House often grants an authorizing resolution that clarifies scope and enforcement powers; scholarly and Justice Department analyses note such resolutions both reflect long practice and, in some views, are constitutionally necessary to empower compelled testimony for impeachment purposes [7] [5] [2].
3. Investigation, hearings and evidence-gathering in committee
Once authorized, the committee with jurisdiction—most commonly the Judiciary Committee but sometimes a special/select committee—conducts fact-finding and public or closed hearings, subpoenas witnesses, and compiles evidence, operating under House rules and any terms set by the authorizing resolution [1] [5] [2].
4. Markup: drafting and amending articles of impeachment in committee
If the committee determines grounds exist, it prepares and “marks up” articles of impeachment—formal resolutions that set out the charges—amending language as in any committee markup; the committee then votes on whether to report those articles to the full House, and its report and any minority views accompany the proposed articles to the floor [5] [8] [9].
5. Reporting and placement on the House floor calendar
Reported articles appear on the House calendar or are the subject of a privileged call for consideration if designated; the House Rules Committee or unanimous consent may shape floor debate, but historically the House has also treated certain impeachment measures as privileged, producing expedited consideration depending on the resolution’s terms and political context [4] [5] [9].
6. Floor consideration, amendments, and the vote that creates an impeachment
On the floor the House debates, may consider amendments or divisions of articles, and then votes on each article separately; constitutionally an article becomes an adopted article of impeachment when a simple majority of those voting approves it—a procedural threshold that, once met, technically “impeaches” the official and obliges the House to notify the Senate [5] [2] [3].
7. Motion to recommit, managers, and transmission to the Senate
Post-adoption, the House may consider motions incidental to disposition (including a motion to recommit), then adopts a resolution appointing impeachment managers who will present the case in the Senate; the House also formally transmits the articles to the Senate and notifies that body that managers will present the articles when the Senate is ready [3] [8] [9].
8. Variation, strategy, and controversy: constitutional minimalism versus House practice
Constitutionally the only required House action is adoption of articles by majority; the interim steps—authorizing resolution, committee inquiry, the Rules Committee’s role, and timing—are products of House rules and precedent and thus subject to strategic manipulation, partisan objectives, or legal dispute over committee powers, a reality reflected in judicial filings and internal House debates [10] [7] [5].