The U.S. House of Representatives voted 211-204 on Tuesday, Nov. 10, to refer articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee. The procedural move effectively stalls the impeachment effort, as the resolution is expected to remain in committee at least until the new Democratic-led 120th Congress is sworn in this January.
The impeachment resolution was introduced on Monday, Nov. 9, by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.). Massie accused Hegseth of "high crimes and misdemeanors," citing the conduct of a war with Iran without prior congressional approval and the bombing of alleged drug boats in the Caribbean, which the resolution characterized as extrajudicial killings.
Following the vote, several House Democrats expressed frustration with 11 absent members of their caucus whose presence could have altered the outcome. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) told CNN that members are sent to the Capitol "to do a job," while Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.) stated there was "no reason why we should have lost this vote because of attendance issues." According to reports on X, some members were delayed by a traffic jam on Independence Avenue while returning from an "Elect Democratic Women" event located 1.5 miles away.
Defense Secretary Hegseth defended his record during a Tuesday morning press briefing, describing the impeachment attempt as a "political spectacle" led by a "disgruntled and defeated congressman." President Donald Trump praised the vote's outcome on Truth Social, referring to Rep. Massie as a "major LOSER." Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), when asked if he maintained confidence in the secretary, stated that the matter was "up to the president."
The procedural move highlights the impact of attendance on thin legislative majorities, where a shift of only four votes would have changed the 211-204 outcome. The failure to impeach means Hegseth continues to hold authority over military orders, including the disputed operations in Iran and the Caribbean.
The incident highlights war powers disputes between the executive and legislative branches. By referring the resolution to committee, the House has deferred a formal judgment on whether the executive branch requires explicit congressional authorization for the specific actions cited in the articles. This creates a holding pattern until the 120th Congress takes office in January 2027. At that time, the new Democratic majority will have the option to reintroduce the articles.