Can the Senate remove their "consent" to a cabinet position and remove

[BR_Parkway]

someone like Geithner?

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Sort of like a vote of no confidence?

[BR_Parkway]

2. I'm just thinking of that clause that says the Senate has to give their

advise and consent - it's always been about approving them to the job initially as far as I know, but couldn't consent also be an ongoing thing that they could take away?

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. I have no idea, but it's an interesting thought. I hope someone can give you a definitive answer.

[Thothmes]

4. Nothing in the Constitution grants that authority

However Geithner can be impeached.

[BR_Parkway]

5. Has that ever been tested?

[atreides1]

6. Impeachment is the only way, it seems.

One cabinet officer, William W. Belknap (Secretary of War). He resigned before his trial, and was later acquitted. Allegedly most of those who voted to acquit him believed that his resignation had removed their jurisdiction.

One Senator, William Blount, in 1797. He was expelled by the Senate, which declined to try the impeachment.

One Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Samuel Chase in 1804. He was acquitted by the Senate.

Thirteen other federal judges, including Alcee Hastings, who was impeached and convicted for taking over $150,000 in bribe money in exchange for sentencing leniency. The Senate did not bar Hastings from holding future office, and Hastings won election to the House of Representatives from Florida. Hastings's name was mentioned as a possible Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, but was passed over by House Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi, presumably because of his previous impeachment and removal. Source U.S. Senate.

It could happen!

[Igel]

7. The Senate has quirky rules, to be sure.

But there's a fairly consistent rule of procedure that once a contract or motion's gone into effect, it can't simply be revoted on. It's had a consequence and the consequence has to be considered and dealt with.

For example, if a committee agrees to a contract it can back out before the contract's executed. Once it's executed it's stuck and would have to void the contract by a positive vote. If a board authorizes the CEO to expend money, it can revoke that authority until the money's actually committed contractually or spent--after that other actions are needed.

Once the Senate confirms somebody and that person's sworn in, it's not a case of the Senate's being able to change its mind and decide not to hire him/her after all. The person's hired.