In March 1867 Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act. The act made it illegal for a president to fire an appointed civil official in the executive branch who had been confirmed by the Senate. The act was passed over President Andrew Johnson’s veto. Congress wanted to control Reconstruction and opposed Johnson’s lenient policy toward the South. Congress also lacked faith in Johnson’s resolve to carry out Reconstruction laws. Johnson often vetoed the Reconstruction plans of Radical Republicans, causing considerable conflict with Congress. The Tenure of Office Act was an attempt to reduce the president’s power. In February 1868 Johnson removed Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, who supported the Radical Republicans, from office without the permission of the Senate. The House of Representatives used the firing to impeach President Johnson. The Senate failed to convict Johnson by one vote. In 1887 Congress repealed the law.
