- But the respite is likely short-lived: Democrats are virtually guaranteed to force the debate again when they regain majorities in the House and Senate in January.
- The vote to send the impeachment measure back to committee passed 211-204, with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), the measure’s sponsor, being the lone Republican Party “no” vote.
Driving the news: Massie forced a procedural vote on his resolution to impeach Hegseth, alleging he defied Congress and illegally continued the U.S. war in Iran.
- The Trump administration vehemently defended Hegseth, including through a statement opposing the impeachment attempt, released shortly before the vote.
- “Did Pete Hegseth commit impeachable crimes? The question is absurd and the answer is: obviously not,” Vance said Tuesday on X.
“Like much of Congressimpeachment has become a ridiculous spectacle that replaces real policymaking. Congress has many tools to record its policy disagreements,” Vance added.
- Axios’ Marc Caputo and Alex Isenstadt previously reported that Hegseth was on “thin ice” with Trump officials.
Between the lines: Republican leaders saved their members from having to speak publicly on the politically difficult issue before Election Day, after Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) sent lawmakers home early to campaign.
What’s next: Tuesday’s vote effectively kills any attempt to impeach Hegseth in Congress.
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