House vote blocks push to remove defense secretary

UPDATE - follow-up to House set to begin voting on Hegseth impeachment measure: The lower chamber of Congress stopped a bid to remove Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from office through a procedural vote on Tuesday evening. Lawmakers passed a proposal by a 211 to 204 count to send the removal papers to a panel.

Vote Outcome

This move ensures the committee and the full chamber will likely lack the time to vote on the matter before Democrats take control of Congress in January. Republican leaders worked to stop the push that started on Monday from Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie. The action happened a week after midterm elections where Democrats beat Republicans following the start of the Iran conflict in February.

Charges and Defense

Massie brought eight removal charges against the defense chief. The lawmaker blamed him for fighting a war without congressional approval, carrying out unlawful killings through boat strikes in the Caribbean against suspected drug runners, and trying to silence Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona. Massie previously lost his party primary in May after fighting with President Donald Trump. Hegseth spoke at a Pentagon briefing on Tuesday to criticize Massie and defend his military actions in Iran and elsewhere. Trump also posted online to praise the defense chief and attack the Kentucky congressman.

Context

Cabinet members face removal by the House, though the Senate has never voted to convict and remove one after a trial. This legislative battle comes as lawmakers and party leaders deal with the political fallout from recent midterm losses linked to ongoing military operations.