# House exits early to block Hegseth impeachment vote

> Speaker Johnson adjourns Congress before a Republican can force a vote to impeach the Defense Secretary over his handling of the Iran war.
- Title: House exits early to block Hegseth impeachment vote | Shortify
- Summary: Speaker Johnson adjourns Congress before a Republican can force a vote to impeach the Defense Secretary over his handling of the Iran war. When a procedural…
- Keywords: house of representatives, mike johnson, pete hegseth, thomas massie, impeachment, defense secretary, iran war, midterm elections, congressional procedure, political pressure, news, local
- Source: ABC7 New York — https://abc7ny.com/story/house-adjourn-early-stave-off-hegseth-impeachment-votef/19840314
- Published: 2026-09-16T19:03:44+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: house of representatives, mike johnson, pete hegseth, thomas massie, impeachment, defense secretary, iran war, midterm elections, congressional procedure, political pressure, news, local
## Johnson sends House home early
Speaker Mike Johnson announced Wednesday that House members will leave Washington immediately for their seven-week campaign recess, skipping planned Thursday votes and heading home before the November midterm elections.

> It's time for our members to go home to their districts and make the case to the American people.
## Massie forces impeachment vote
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie filed a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over his handling of the US war with Iran. The special procedural powers of his resolution triggered a legislative clock requiring GOP leaders to hold a vote within days.
## Massie accuses Hegseth of abuses
In his 34-page resolution, Massie argued that Hegseth repeatedly abused his office by carrying out unlawful orders in the Iran war and keeping troops deployed without Congressional authorization. He also accused Hegseth of orchestrating the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

> has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office
## Johnson attacks Massie's move
Speaker Johnson dismissed Massie's impeachment push as a publicity stunt, saying it will be tabled when Congress returns after the elections. He argued the GOP should not be playing games with national security.

> It is a publicity stunt by someone who wants attention.
## Blanche defends Hegseth
Attorney General Todd Blanche defended Hegseth on Tuesday, saying the Defense Secretary follows the law and is doing a phenomenal job. Blanche emphasized that the Department of Justice plays an active role in ensuring legal compliance.

> Secretary Hegseth is doing a phenomenal job, and the secretary of war doesn't just go off and do things.
## GOP eager to escape town
House Republicans were already anxious to leave Washington, facing political pressure on contentious issues like artificial intelligence and tariffs while worrying about holding the chamber in the midterms. The early adjournment gives them an escape route.
## Vote postponed until after elections
By adjourning early, Republicans have stalled Massie's impeachment vote until November, after the midterm elections. The move allows GOP members to avoid a politically difficult vote while Congress is in campaign mode.
## Key takeaway

When a procedural rule forces an unwanted vote, Congress can simply leave town and postpone it until after the elections.