Hegseth faces impeachment push, but House GOP finds way to delay vote until November

WASHINGTON, DC: House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday, September 16, announced that he is sending the House home early, canceling the Thursday vote on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s impeachment resolution.

Thomas Massie, Republican representative from Kentucky's 4th congressional district, on Tuesday, in a significant step against a fellow Republican, introduced articles of impeachment on the House floor against Hegseth for “high crimes and misdemeanors.”

House delays return, stalling impeachment vote

Mike Johnson has sent House members for their seven-week campaigning recess ahead of the midterm elections.

The House had planned to remain in session till Thursday, but now, due to the early recess, the lower chamber will hold a vote on a priority Russian Sanctions bill on Wednesday evening.

The House members are now expected to return to Washington after the midterm election in November.

“It’s time for our members to go home to their districts and make the case to the American people,” Johnson told reporters.

Republican Thomas Massie marked the resolution as privileged, meaning he’s forcing it to the floor for a vote. By House rules, that vote must come within two days.

But now, Republicans have found a way to stall that vote by leaving early and postponing it until November.

Mike Johnson denies link with Hegseth impeachment

When asked if the move was made to protect members from a politically difficult vote to impeach Hegseth, Johnson said the move had nothing to do with the defense secretary.

However, Johnson attacked Massie for his surprise push.

“It is a publicity stunt by someone who wants attention. It will immediately be tabled of course. But we probably won’t do that today. We will do it when we come back,” Johnson said. “We should not be playing games with national security.”

Thomas Massie's resolution accuses Hegseth of abuse of power

In his 34-page resolution, Massie accused Hegseth of repeatedly abusing power and argued that the Iran war was illegal as it was not approved by Congress.

Hegseth, he argued, “has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with his duties and the rule of law.”

Massie spent multiple hours reading aloud his resolution on the House floor.

Attorney General Todd Blanche on Tuesday defended Hegseth in light of the impeachment push, arguing that he “follows the law.”