Unique Powers of the House

The Constitution gives the House of Representatives a few unique powers, including the power to do the following:

  • Propose all tax bills.
  • Impeach a federal official. Impeachment is the process of formally charging a government official with an offense serious enough to warrant removal from office.

Unique Powers of the Senate

The Constitution also grants the Senate a few unique powers, including the power to do the following:

  • Approve presidential appointments to key federal offices
  • Confirm all federal judicial appointments
  • Ratify treaties
  • Try impeached officials

Example: The Senate acquitted both Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton during their respective impeachment trials (in 1868 and 1999, respectively), so the presidents remained in office.

Popular pages: Congress