Lawmakers voted 211–204 to send Republican Thomas Massie’s 8 articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee, averting a potential November 11 impeachment vote.
The US House of Representatives voted to send the impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to its Judiciary Committee rather than advance it to a vote on the House floor. The procedural decision leaves the allegations unresolved and effectively ends the effort for now.
Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced the eight articles on 9 November. His resolution alleges that Hegseth illegally conducted the war in Iran without congressional authorization and abused his powers.
Massie was the only Republican to oppose referral, joining all 203 Democrats who voted against it; 211 Republicans supported it.
Massie used a special procedure that gave the House two days to take up the resolution, with a floor vote, a formal investigation or tabling among the possible outcomes. Before the referral vote, Massie said overcoming the procedural hurdle would allow a debate and vote on the articles. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries backed impeachment, while Republican Representative French Hill said he wanted to hear the debate before deciding. Republicans retain control of Congress until 3 January, despite Democratic victories in both chambers in the midterm elections.
The articles also address strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Hegseth’s actions against Democratic Senator Mark Kelly after Kelly told troops to resist unlawful orders. Hegseth censured Kelly, accused him of seditious statements and sought to reduce his retired military rank and pension. A federal judge later blocked the Pentagon’s effort.
Hegseth dismissed the impeachment effort and defended the Iran war as necessary. At a Pentagon briefing on 10 November, he thanked President Donald Trump for his support. Trump said he would stand by Hegseth and praised his performance.
Impeachment requires a simple House majority and brings formal charges; it does not itself remove an official. Removal would require a Senate trial and conviction by two-thirds of senators present.
The committee can consider the articles but does not have to do so, Breaking Defense said. The referral does not permanently bar proceedings against Hegseth: lawmakers seeking to revive the effort in the next Congress would need to introduce a new resolution and start again.
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