H.R.es556 - Impeaching Charles R. Breyer, Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, for high crimes and misdemeanors. (119th Congress)
Summary
This document is a House Resolution (H.Res. 556) to impeach Charles R. Breyer, a Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The resolution alleges that Judge Breyer committed high crimes and misdemeanors by abusing his power. Specifically, it claims he interfered with the President's constitutional prerogatives and enforcement of the law. The resolution was submitted by Mr. Fine on June 27, 2025, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Expected Effects
If the House of Representatives votes to impeach Judge Breyer, the articles of impeachment will be presented to the Senate. The Senate would then conduct a trial to determine whether to convict and remove him from office. This could lead to a vacancy on the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
Potential Benefits 2/5
- Upholding the principle of accountability for judicial officers.
- Reinforcing the separation of powers by preventing judicial overreach.
- Potentially restoring public trust in the impartiality of the judiciary if the allegations are substantiated.
- Sending a message that abuse of power will not be tolerated.
- Ensuring that judicial decisions are based on the law, not political considerations.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could be perceived as a politically motivated attack on a judge.
- May further polarize the political climate.
- Could undermine the independence of the judiciary if used improperly.
- The impeachment process can be lengthy and divisive, distracting from other legislative priorities.
- If the impeachment fails, it could weaken the authority of Congress.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment 3/5
The Constitution grants the House of Representatives the sole power of impeachment (Article I, Section 2, Clause 5). Federal judges are subject to impeachment and removal for "high crimes and misdemeanors" (Article II, Section 4). The resolution alleges that Judge Breyer violated his oath of office and abused his judicial authority, which could potentially fall under the category of "high crimes and misdemeanors." However, the specifics of the allegations would need to be carefully examined to determine if they meet the constitutional threshold for impeachment.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to citizens. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).