What power allows Congress to check the executive branch?

The impeachment power is a critical mechanism that allows Congress to hold the executive branch accountable for misconduct. This authority is articulated in the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the ability to remove a President or other federal officials from office for "high Crimes and Misdemeanors." By providing this check, the Framers of the Constitution aimed to prevent the abuse of power by the executive branch and to ensure that the President remains answerable to the legislative branch.

When an executive official, including the President, is believed to have committed serious offenses, it is the responsibility of the House of Representatives to initiate the impeachment process, which involves drafting articles of impeachment and voting on them. If a simple majority in the House supports the articles, the official is impeached, which means they are formally charged with misconduct. Following this, the Senate conducts a trial to determine whether to convict and remove the official from office. A two-thirds majority in the Senate is required for conviction.

This process illustrates how impeachment serves as a formidable check on the executive branch by enforcing accountability and maintaining the rule of law, ensuring that even high-ranking officials can be held responsible for their actions.