Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,280 posts)
5. The power of the CJ is stated in the rules of the Senate for impeachment hearings.
Sun Dec 15, 2019, 02:56 PM
Dec 2019

In fact, the Chief Justice doesn't preside over any impeachment trials except those of presidents or vice presidents. For any other federal official, the Presiding Officer is "a majority-party senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing members to speak, and interpreting the Senate's rules, practices and precedents." In other words, Mitch McConnell. But in any event, whoever the Presiding Officer is, is constrained by the Senate's rules:

The Presiding Officer shall have power to make and issue, by himself or by the Secretary of the Senate, all orders, mandates, writs, and precepts authorized by these rules or by the Senate, and to make and enforce such other regulations and orders in the premises as the Senate may authorize or provide.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/SMAN-113/pdf/SMAN-113-pg223.pdf
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The best strategy for the...»Reply #5