House Republicans Block Hegseth Impeachment Effort

The US House of Representatives voted Tuesday to reject a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, halting an effort to remove him over his conduct and handling of the war in Iran. The vote came as Republicans face fallout from midterm election losses, which some party members attributed to the Iran war and rising gasoline prices. However, after President Donald Trump strongly backed Hegseth, GOP lawmakers largely rallied behind him, defeating the impeachment push led by Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky. Massie had filed eight articles of impeachment, accusing Hegseth of sending US troops to fight Iran without congressional authorization, citing violations of the 1973 War Powers Act. The effort failed 211-204, with the matter referred to committee instead. Democrats are set to take control of both chambers in January.