From Newsweek · · 1m 40s
Thomas Massie's parting shot puts a $38 billion price on the Iran war
A defeated Kentucky Republican is using his last months in Congress to make his party vote on what the Iran war costs.
In brief
A defeated Kentucky Republican is using his last months in Congress to make his party vote on what the Iran war costs. Massie's Hegseth impeachment will probably fail, but it makes Republicans put their names on a $38 billion war as gas prices and inflation rise before the midterms. Originally reported by Newsweek.
Massie goes after Hegseth
Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie has filed articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He says Hegseth kept the Iran war going without approval from Congress.
“breaking the law and must be held accountable”
The $38 billion bill
The Congressional Budget Office says the Pentagon's war costs passed $38 billion by August 1. The conflict could add about $3 billion more every month.
Nothing left to lose
Massie lost his May primary 54% to 46% to Ed Gallrein, who had Trump's backing, after breaking with the president over Iran and other issues. With no primary left to fear, he can push as hard as he likes.
The vote is the point
His eight articles must be dealt with by Thursday. Leaders can move to table them and Hegseth will likely stay, but every Republican will be on record either way.
“Do Republicans want their names attached to shutting down a challenge to a war”
From war powers to gas prices
Critics say a war's cost alone is no grounds for impeachment. But the CBO expects the war to push inflation about half a point higher in early 2027, mostly through energy prices.
A lame duck's last test
If voters keep the war separate from their money worries, this ends as one outgoing member's protest. If costs become a midterm issue, Massie made his party vote on the price of following Trump.
The key point
Massie's Hegseth impeachment will probably fail, but it makes Republicans put their names on a $38 billion war as gas prices and inflation rise before the midterms.
