House Adjourns Early, Delaying Impeachment Vote on Defense Secretary

The U.S. House will not hold a vote on the impeachment resolution targeting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth until after the November 3 midterm elections, after Republican leaders announced an earlier departure from Washington. Speaker Mike Johnson said the chamber will reconvene only after the election, cutting short a month that already includes just six scheduled days of legislative business.

The impeachment effort, introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) on Tuesday, accuses Hegseth of carrying out unauthorized military actions in Iran and of keeping troops deployed without congressional approval. Massie criticized the schedule change on social media, calling it a move to avoid the vote and labeling it a "publicity stunt" by the speaker.

Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson defended the secretary, stating that the Department of Defense is performing better under the current leadership. Johnson told reporters the resolution would be "tabled" and likely addressed when the House returns.

Democratic members seized on the early adjournment, suggesting the timing was intended to prevent the impeachment vote. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) said the move indicated fear of a potential impeachment outcome.