Hegseth impeachment vote on to-do list as lame duck session gets underway

Hegseth impeachment vote on to-do list as lame duck session gets underway Congress was back in session on Monday for the first time since Democrats won back control of the House and Senate, but Republicans still have a few more weeks in charge before power changes hands. Advertisement Updated: 8:51 PM EST Nov 9, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Jackie DeFusco Washington Correspondent Hegseth impeachment vote on to-do list as lame duck session gets underway Congress was back in session on Monday for the first time since Democrats won back control of the House and Senate, but Republicans still have a few more weeks in charge before power changes hands. Updated: 8:51 PM EST Nov 9, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Jackie DeFusco Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON — The lame duck session got off to a dramatic start on Monday as a Republican lawmaker revived an effort to impeach one of President Donald Trump's most controversial cabinet members. Rep. Thomas Massie, an outgoing GOP congressman from Kentucky, introduced a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday. Advertisement It was the first day that Congress was back in session following sweeping Democratic victories in the midterm elections. Democrats won back control of the House and Senate, but Republicans have a few more weeks in charge before power changes hands in January. Massie's resolution outlines a range of charges against Hegseth, in part alleging that he acted unlawfully while carrying out military action in Iran without authorization from Congress. It also claims that Hegseth suppressed free speech and ignored laws designed to minimize civilian casualties. "There are a lot of politically motivated people who may have substantial policy disagreements, but their disagreements are with success," Hegseth told reporters on Monday, adding that he is not worried about the impeachment push. "There's no argument in these impeachment articles that he's ineffective," Massie said during a press conference on Monday. "The argument here is that he has broken laws and he has violated the Constitution. So, that's the question put in front of my colleagues." The House could vote on the articles of impeachment as soon as this week. Massie said that he is unsure whether it will get sufficient support in the House or in the Senate, where a two-thirds majority would be needed to convict Hegseth. Democratic leadership in both chambers, including Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Sen. Chuck Schumer, has endorsed the effort. Meanwhile, President Trump continued to defend Hegseth on Monday. The secretary is expected to hold a press conference on Tuesday morning with a more detailed rebuttal. It will be his first formal briefing since May. Rep. Thomas Massie forcing vote on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth impeachment What else is on the lame duck to-do list? Republicans are under pressure to approve as many GOP priorities and judicial nominees as possible before Democrats take power in the new year. Much of the focus in the final stretch will likely go towards governing funding negotiations. Congress faces a Dec. 11th deadline to reach a spending deal, or risk another possible government shutdown. Lawmakers are also expected to consider an annual defense bill, which sets policy for the Pentagon. Those talks could get complicated as some Democrats have called for withholding federal funding as leverage to end the war with Iran. At least some legislation up for debate in the lame-duck session has bipartisan support, including bills to overhaul college sports rules and expedite permitting reviews for energy projects. Still, the future of those proposals is uncertain. Leadership elections are also on the agenda. The race for House Republican leadership will be in the headlines on Tuesday, as Rep. Steve Scalise and Rep. Jim Jordan are vying for the top spot. House Speaker Mike Johnson has said that he will step down from his leadership role. Make WTAE a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks Rochelle Fleming, lead singer of '70s disco and soul group First Choice, dies Cruise ship staffer reportedly treads water in the ocean for nine hours before being rescued 'I'm scared': Florida high school student swims through chest-deep floodwaters after bus drop-off Nvidia shares fall after report of CEO investigation