House cuts session short to avoid vote

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Wednesday that lawmakers would leave Washington a day earlier than planned, preventing an impeachment vote on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that was set for Thursday.

Massie introduced surprise impeachment articles

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth on Tuesday without warning GOP leadership, citing unauthorized military actions in Iran.

GOP leaders deny political motivation

Speaker Johnson called Massie's impeachment attempt a publicity stunt and said the resolution would be tabled when Congress returns after the November 3 election.

“It will immediately be tabled, of course. But we probably won't do that today.”

House votes to end Iran war again

The House passed a war powers resolution Tuesday night on a 220-204 vote ordering the White House to end the Iran war. Seven Republicans joined Democrats, up from four in previous votes.

Massie accuses leaders of avoiding scrutiny

Massie said on the House floor that Congress should hold the vote instead of canceling sessions for optics. He also noted the early dismissal would hamper efforts to compel the Justice Department to release Jeffrey Epstein files.

“We should be having this vote. We shouldn't be cancelling Congress because of the optics.”

Pentagon defends Hegseth's record

Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said the Department of War is better under Trump and Hegseth's leadership and that the department is unified behind the Secretary's vision.

“By every measurable metric, the Department of War is better under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth's leadership.”

Democrats seize on early recess timing

Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico said the only explanation for the early dismissal is fear that the House would vote to impeach Hegseth, and that the Speaker and President do not want that outcome.

“There's really only one explanation for why they would cancel votes tomorrow and send us home early.”