House blocks effort to impeach Hegseth, 211–204, sending resolution to committee

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 211–204 on Tuesday, November 10, to refer an impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the House Judiciary Committee, effectively ending the impeachment effort led by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.). The measure is now almost certain not to reach the floor before the current session of Congress expires.

File photo: Hegseth at the Pentagon. (Image: Getty Images, via The Wrap)

A seven-vote margin

The vote was on a procedural motion to send the resolution to committee, not a direct vote on impeachment itself. Massie, who brought the resolution, was the only Republican to vote against the referral, and all 203 Democrats who voted joined him; 210 Republicans and independent Rep. Kevin Kiley of California supported it. The motion passed by just seven votes, with 18 members absent — 11 Democrats and 7 Republicans. Had the 11 absent Democrats voted no, the referral would have failed 211–215. CBS News reported that Democratic leaders did not whip the vote.

What the eight articles charge

Massie reintroduced eight articles of impeachment on Monday, November 9, accusing Hegseth of high crimes and misdemeanors. The articles centre on the war with Iran — alleging military operations continued without a congressional declaration or authorization — and on U.S. strikes against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean; some articles also concern operations in Yemen and Venezuela. Massie first filed articles of impeachment in September, when Speaker Mike Johnson announced an early recess that prevented a vote.

Is the impeachment effort over?

Referring the resolution to the Judiciary Committee means the House will not debate or vote directly on the articles of impeachment; the eight articles will remain before the committee, where the effort is effectively stalled. Hegseth dismissed the attempt as politically motivated, describing the charges as policy disputes rather than impeachable offences. The vote came a week after Republicans' defeat in the midterm elections, and Democratic leaders have indicated they may revive the impeachment effort when the new Congress takes office in January.

Sources: KNKX (NPR member station); CBS News; Reuters; Reason; U.S. House Clerk, Roll Call 317, November 10, 2026.