House of Representatives will adjourn early so that Hegseth's impeachment bill cannot be voted on
Quick Look
- The US House of Representatives will go into recess one day early, which was supposed to start on Thursday, September 17, and will hold its final votes today and close its doors until November 9.
- This decision means that the impeachment bill filed by Republican Representative Thomas Massie against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cannot be voted on.
- Massie submitted his bill yesterday with the code 'urgent', claiming that military operations regarding Iran are against the law, and stated that it should be voted on within 2 days.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Representative Thomas Massie had submitted an impeachment bill against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, arguing that military operations against Iran were carried out without Congressional approval and that this situation was unlawful. The bill's classification as 'urgent' required it to be voted on in the parliament's plenary session within 2 days.
Officials of the House of Representatives announced that the parliament, which would normally go on recess for the election period on Thursday, September 17, will hold the final votes today and close its doors until November 9.
The fact that the parliament will go on recess one day early means that the bill submitted by Republican Massie against Defense Minister Hegseth will not be voted on.
The bill, which Massie presented yesterday with the "urgent" code, was supposed to be voted on in the parliamentary general assembly within 2 days, in accordance with the relevant directives.
Following this decision, it is unclear whether the parliament, which will reconvene on April 9 after the Congress midterm elections on April 3, will consider the bill for Hegseth's dismissal.
On the other hand, Republican leaders argued that the decision in question had nothing to do with the impeachment vote against Hegseth, and claimed that they wanted to make it easier for the council members to go to their own constituencies and start their work as soon as possible.
The US Senate will continue its routine work for another 3 weeks.
US House of Representatives Member Massie submitted a bill yesterday to impeach Defense Minister Hegseth due to his actions regarding Iran.
Arguing that the military operations against Iran were carried out "unlawfully" and that the authority of Congress was disregarded, Massie argued that Defense Minister Hegseth was guilty and should be removed from his post.
Republican Mike Johnson, the speaker of the House of Representatives, said in his statement on the issue yesterday, "This is a trick by someone who wants to attract attention. Of course, the vote will be postponed. We will probably handle this when we come back, but this is a trick. Secretary Hegseth is doing an outstanding job." He used the following expressions:
Massie, who had a disagreement with US President Donald Trump, especially regarding the Jeffrey Epstein files, was accused of "betraying the Republican Party" by Trump.
Massie is known as one of the rare Republicans who also opposes US arms sales to Israel and attacks on Iran.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
When the parliament reconvenes on April 9, Massie's impeachment bill against Hegseth will be brought to the agenda again and a vote will be held.
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will the impeachment bill against Hegseth be brought to the agenda again when the parliament reconvenes on November 9?
- How will Massie's stance on Iran policy affect his standing within the Republican Party?
- What are some more specific criticisms of Hegseth's work as Secretary of Defense?
