President Dilma Rousseff has reacted with "outrage and sadness" to the decision by the Chamber of Deputies that leaves her on the verge of an impeachment trial, Brazilian Solicitor-General Jose Eduardo Cardozo says.

"Who is in favour of democracy cannot be in favour of what happened today," said Cardozo after the voting in the lower house which resulted in a clear majority that the proceedings against Rousseff continue to the final stage in the Senate.

"This decision will not bring down the president" who dedicated her life to fight for democracy, he added.

According to Cardozo, "if someone believes that she will bow to what happened today, that person is mistaken because she will fight like she fought against the dictatorship to avoid another coup".

Meanwhile, Brazilian presidential chief of staff Jaques Wagner noted that the lower house's decision "threatens to disrupt Brazil's 30 years of democracy".

In an official statement on Monday, he considered the decision "a setback" because it can start "an impeachment trial against the president of the republic, elected by 54 million voters".

The lower house Chamber of Deputies approved that the proceedings should continue in the Senate with 367 votes in favour and 137 against.

If the Senate supports the case, Rousseff will have to step aside for 180 days for the trial to be carried out.

"We have faith in the senators and we hope that more chances for the defence be allowed and that justice is served," said Wagner.

"It is an impeachment orchestrated by an opposition who did not accept their defeat in the recent elections and did not let the president govern. They boycotted her initiatives and the resumption of the country's development," he said.