<P> At the Philadelphia Convention, Benjamin Franklin noted that, historically, the removal of "obnoxious" chief executives had been accomplished by assassination . Franklin suggested that a proceduralized mechanism for removal--impeachment--would be preferable . </P> <P> Impeachment proceedings may be commenced by a member of the House of Representatives on her or his own initiative, either by presenting a list of the charges under oath, or by asking for referral to the appropriate committee . The impeachment process may be initiated by non-members . For example, when the Judicial Conference of the United States suggests a federal judge be impeached, a charge of actions constituting grounds for impeachment may come from a special prosecutor, the President, or state or territorial legislature, grand jury, or by petition . </P> <P> The type of impeachment resolution determines the committee to which it is referred . A resolution impeaching a particular individual is typically referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary . A resolution to authorize an investigation regarding impeachable conduct is referred to the House Committee on Rules, and then to the Judiciary Committee . The House Committee on the Judiciary, by majority vote, will determine whether grounds for impeachment exist . If the Committee finds grounds for impeachment, it will set forth specific allegations of misconduct in one or more articles of impeachment . The Impeachment Resolution, or Article (s) of Impeachment, are then reported to the full House with the committee's recommendations . </P> <P> The House debates the resolution and may at the conclusion consider the resolution as a whole or vote on each article of impeachment individually . A simple majority of those present and voting is required for each article or the resolution as a whole to pass . If the House votes to impeach, managers (typically referred to as "House managers", with a "lead House manager") are selected to present the case to the Senate . Recently, managers have been selected by resolution, while historically the House would occasionally elect the managers or pass a resolution allowing the appointment of managers at the discretion of the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives . These managers are roughly the equivalent of the prosecution / district attorney in a standard criminal trial . </P>

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