Hegseth Impeachment Vote and Funding Deadline Top New Congress Agenda
Outgoing Representative Thomas Massie plans to force a floor vote on the Defense Secretary, while lawmakers scramble to fund the government before December 11.
By Victoria Hayes ·
Lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill this week for the lame-duck session following the midterm elections.
The immediate focus is on a potential impeachment vote targeting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Outgoing Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, pledged to bring a privileged resolution to the floor to force that vote. Massie stated that the only ways to avoid the procedural step are if Hegseth resigns or President Donald Trump fires him.
Hegseth responded to the threat with a video posted on X. In the clip, the Secretary vowed to fight the move. “Their obsession with political theater disguised as power drives them to try to destroy their opponents,” Hegseth said. He added, “It’s all about the politics of personal destruction. It didn’t work with President Trump and it won’t work with me. You can rest assured of that.”
Beyond the leadership battle, the new Congress must address government funding. The current continuing resolution, passed earlier this year, expires on December 11. Lawmakers will begin work on a new funding measure this week to prevent a lapse.
The chamber is also reshuffling its leadership. House Republicans plan to hold a vote to replace Speaker Mike Johnson, who said he is not running for Minority Leader. Two candidates are vying for the top GOP spot: current House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan of Ohio.
Newly elected members of Congress arrived this week for freshman orientation as the new session begins.
