Has there ever been a "vote of no confidence" in the United States?

by ausbon

I know that it is possible to hold a vote like this in British Parliament, but I was curious if there has ever been one in US Congress. And if not, is it legal? Is there a precedent for it?

angrynerdist84

To my knowledge no. I guess impeachment is as close as it gets to a vote of no confidence in the U.S.

In an impeachment scenario, articles of impeachment are brought before the House of Representatives. (A government official can be brought up on charges of impeachment for high crimes and misdemeanors.) Once the articles have been presented to the House it is usually referred to either the Justice Committee or and special committee appointed to handle it. These committees will decide if the charges warrant a vote before the House. If so then the whole House of Representatives votes and a simple majority is all that is needed. Then the House appoints managers to act as the prosecution for the Senate trial. The House informs the Senate that they have approved charges of impeachment and the Senate takes up the trial. In cases not involving the President the Vice President in his or her capacity as President of the Senate presides over the trial as the judge. If the case involves the President then the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides as the judge. The impeachment trial proceeds as a normal trial and when the case is over the Senate debates and then votes to remove the government official from office by a 2/3s majority.