Nor have impeachments always begun with full vote

Posted on: October 22, 2019 at 12:47:06 CT

of the House:

"In the three previous instances of judicial impeachments, however, the House did not approve a resolution explicitly authorizing an impeachment
inquiry.16 The Rules of the House since 1975 have granted committees the power to subpoena witnesses and materials, administer oaths, and meet at any time within the United States—powers that were previously granted through resolutions providing blanket investigatory authorities that were agreed to at the start of a Congress or through authorizing resolutions for each impeachment investigation.17 In two of the three recent cases, the House agreed to separate resolutions to allow committee counsel to take affidavits and depositions.18"

Further:

"In the 93rd Congress (1973-1974), multiple resolutions to impeach President Richard M. Nixon were introduced and referred to the Judiciary Committee. The committee began an examination of the charges against the President under its general investigatory authority. "