Lawmakers leave Washington early to campaign, sidestepping a contentious impeachment vote against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Category: Politics
House lawmakers will leave Washington on Wednesday night for the last time before the November midterm elections, after GOP leaders announced they were canceling votes set for Thursday, including a controversial measure aimed at impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The decision means that the House will not vote on Republican Representative Thomas Massie's resolution to impeach Hegseth until after Election Day, a move that some critics see as an effort to avoid a politically awkward vote.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., characterized Massie's impeachment effort as a "publicity stunt" and defended Hegseth's leadership during the unpopular six-month war with Iran. "It's a publicity stunt by someone who wants attention. It will immediately be tabled, of course. We’ll probably do it when we come back, but it’s a stunt," Johnson said. The House is slated to return to Washington on November 9.
Massie's impeachment resolution was filed as "privileged" on Tuesday, which typically requires the House to act within two legislative days. As a result, a vote would have been necessary by Thursday. Instead, GOP leaders scrapped the votes, pushing the impeachment measure into the post-election session. Johnson emphasized that the decision to leave early had nothing to do with Massie's resolution but was aimed at allowing members to return home and campaign effectively. "It’s time for our members to go home to their districts and make the case to the American people," he said.
Massie, who has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration, accused Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution by continuing military operations in Iran without congressional approval. He argued that Hegseth had acted in a manner "grossly incompatible with his duties and the rule of law." During his presentation of the articles of impeachment, Massie stated, "Hegseth has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office." His resolution also cited allegations of extrajudicial killings and a controversial operation involving the former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The House GOP's decision to leave early is not the first time they have faced criticism for cutting short sessions. Earlier this month, they had already canceled two weeks of work in September to give members more time to campaign. Democrats expressed outrage over the latest recess, with Arizona Representative Yassamin Ansari calling it "outrageous" and accusing Republicans of shirking their responsibilities. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed these sentiments, urging Republicans to stand up to Trump instead of running away from tough votes.
The House of Representatives has been under pressure to address various contentious issues, including military actions and domestic policies, leading up to the midterm elections. Massie's attempt to impeach Hegseth comes at a time when the House has already approved a war powers resolution that orders the White House to end the Iran war, a measure that passed with some bipartisan support. Recent polling indicates that Democrats may have an edge in the upcoming elections, with a New York Times poll showing an 11-point lead over Republicans.
Massie's impeachment resolution is particularly notable because it highlights the divisions within the Republican Party, especially concerning military actions and the Trump administration's foreign policy. The Kentucky representative has often found himself at odds with party leadership, as evidenced by his previous clashes over issues like the release of Jeffrey Epstein's files. The current political climate, marked by increasing scrutiny of the Trump administration, has made the prospect of an impeachment vote even more sensitive for House Republicans.
In addition to the impeachment effort, the House GOP has faced mounting pressure to address domestic concerns, such as crime rates and economic issues. Johnson pointed to the GOP's record, claiming that they have achieved the "largest middle- and working-class tax cut in U.S. history" and noted that violent crime rates are at a 126-year low. This narrative, he argues, is what members need to communicate to their constituents as they head into the campaign season.
With the House now out of session until after the elections, lawmakers will return to Washington on November 9. The impeachment resolution against Hegseth will be among the first items on the agenda upon their return, though it remains unclear whether it will gain the necessary support to pass. The dynamics of the upcoming midterm elections could significantly influence how Republicans approach the impeachment process, particularly if they lose seats in the House.
As the election date approaches, the political stakes are high for both parties. If Democrats manage to gain control of the House or the Senate, they have vowed to ramp up oversight of the Trump administration and its policies. This could lead to increased scrutiny of Hegseth's actions and the broader implications of the war in Iran.
In the meantime, Massie has expressed frustration over the cancellation of votes, stating, "We should be having this vote. We shouldn't be canceling Congress because of the optics." His comments underline the tension within the GOP as they navigate the challenges of upcoming elections and the internal divisions that have emerged over national security and military engagement.