The constitutional text

Article I · Section 3

Select any highlighted phrase to understand what it means.

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, [chosen by the Legislature thereof,]* for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; [and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.]* No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Source: National Constitution Center edition. Original wording is preserved; commentary explains historical and superseded provisions.

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Article I, Section 3, Clause 7 — judgment limit

The limited judgment available through impeachment

Current text
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States:

What it means

Impeachment judgment is limited to removal and disqualification from qualifying federal office. It does not itself authorize imprisonment, a criminal fine, or execution.

Historical setting

The constitutional design separates political protection of the government from punishment through criminal courts. Federalist 65 treats impeachment as addressing injuries to public trust rather than simply duplicating an ordinary criminal prosecution.

What it does

Article II makes removal the consequence of conviction for covered misconduct. Questions about disqualification and the offices it reaches require reading this language alongside constitutional structure and Senate practice.

Debate & interpretation

The limitation restrains the political tribunal even when it condemns an official. It also shows why debates about impeachment grounds cannot be resolved merely by asking what criminal sentence a court could impose.

A common misreading

The Senate cannot use an impeachment judgment as a substitute for a criminal trial and prison sentence.

Think it through

Why might a constitutional system remove an official for public misconduct while reserving criminal punishment to another proceeding?

Follow the connection

Sources & further reading

Original Madison Center commentary. Explanations distinguish the text, historical context, and interpretive disagreements.

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