Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

According to the Constitution, who has the power to remove the president?

1. Supreme Court

2. Senate

3. Congress

4. House of Representatives

The correct answer is: Congress

The correct answer centers on the process of impeachment, which is the constitutional mechanism for removing a president from office. The Constitution grants Congress the authority to impeach a president. This process begins in the House of Representatives, where articles of impeachment are drafted and voted on. If a simple majority of the House members vote in favor of impeachment, the president is formally charged. Following impeachment, the next step involves the Senate holding a trial to determine whether to convict and remove the president from office. A two-thirds majority in the Senate is required for conviction. However, it's essential to recognize that while the Senate plays a crucial role in the removal process, the initiation resides with the House of Representatives. Thus, Congress as a whole is empowered to oversee the removal process, with the House initiating impeachment and the Senate conducting the trial, illustrating the importance of both chambers in this constitutional procedure. This understanding of the respective powers of Congress distinguishes it as the appropriate answer to the question regarding the removal of a president.