The framers of the Constitution made it so that impeachment requires a supermajority instead of a simple majority to pass. Why do you think this is?(2 points)

Answer 1

1) The framers of the Constitution likely intended for impeachment to be a serious and significant process, not to be taken lightly. Requiring a supermajority to pass ensures that there is a broad consensus among lawmakers before removing a president or other federal officials from office. This higher threshold helps prevent the misuse of impeachment as a political weapon or as a response to partisan disagreements.

2) The framers also aimed to strike a balance between the stability of the government and the need for accountability. Requiring a supermajority ensures that impeachment is not easily triggered by a simple majority, which could potentially disrupt the functioning of the government in times of intense partisanship or political hysteria. By establishing a higher bar for impeachment, the framers sought to protect the presidency from being undermined by political whims while still providing a mechanism for removing officials guilty of serious offenses.