House votes Tuesday on Hegseth impeachment resolution

The war in Iran has continued for 256 days without congressional authorization, a duration that forms the central argument of an impeachment resolution filed Monday against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The House of Representatives is scheduled to hold a procedural vote on Tuesday to determine whether this effort will move forward to a final vote on Wednesday.

The resolution was introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky. It contains eight counts that focus largely on military operations in Iran but also reference actions in Yemen and Venezuela. Massie, who lost his primary in a contest backed by President Donald Trump and will leave Congress in January, asserts that Hegseth knowingly executed unlawful orders. He noted on social media that the law requires military withdrawal from hostilities within 60 days if Congress does not authorize the activity.

Hegseth defended his record during a news conference at the Pentagon on Tuesday morning, his first public address in six months. He characterized the impeachment push as a political spectacle that undermines American troops in real time. "This is not patriotism," Hegseth said. "This is sabotage." He argued that the resolution tells enemies, including Iran and cartels, that the United States punishes its own leadership for lawful operations.

House Speaker Mike Johnson described the effort as a political gambit for attention. He predicted that Republican lawmakers would defeat the resolution one way or the other. However, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is close to becoming the first Black House speaker, stated on Monday that he is a hard yes on the measure. Jeffries labeled Hegseth the architect of the war in Iran.

The outcome of Tuesday's vote will likely depend on whether Republican members break ranks following their midterm election losses last week. Many attributed those losses partially to the Iran conflict and its economic impact. If the procedural vote passes, the House will hold a final vote on Wednesday. Passage would send the matter to the Senate, where a two-thirds vote is required for removal.

Vice President JD Vance called the effort a ridiculous show that stands in for actual policymaking. President Trump praised Hegseth's performance in the briefing via a social media post. In the Senate, outgoing Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst questioned whether Hegseth is being truthful about the progress of the war. She said she wants to ensure the right information is flowing from the Pentagon to the president.