Speaker Mike Johnson Recesses House Early to Block Hegseth Impeachment

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson canceled scheduled votes for September 17 and initiated a seven-week pre-election recess one day early, sending lawmakers home to campaign for the November 3 midterms. The move effectively blocked a scheduled floor vote on a privileged impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which had been introduced by Representative Thomas Massie.

Massie filed eight articles of impeachment alleging that Hegseth committed high crimes and misdemeanors by initiating a war with Iran without congressional authorization, executing unlawful orders, and overseeing the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Massie also accused Hegseth of directing unauthorized strikes on drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean. Johnson dismissed the resolution as a "publicity stunt" and praised Hegseth's performance, stating that members of Congress could do better work in their districts than "running in circles" in Washington.

Critics from both parties condemned the early adjournment. Representative Pramila Jayapal called the move an act of "cowardice," while Massie argued the recess was designed to protect GOP members from going on the record before the election. Massie further claimed the closure hindered a bipartisan discharge petition for legislation following the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Before adjourning, the House passed a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill and moved votes to overturn Environmental Protection Agency regulations to Wednesday evening.