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.