The House is expected to take up a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week as the lame-duck session of Congress begins, with Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., planning to force a vote.
Why it matters: House Republican leaders are bracing for enough GOP defections to pass it, after last week's midterm losses left defeated members with little to lose, Axios reported. Removal would still take a two-thirds vote in the Senate.
The case against Hegseth
Massie's resolution accuses Hegseth of defying Congress and illegally continuing the U.S. war in Iran. Republican leaders avoided a vote before Election Day after Speaker Mike Johnson canceled votes and sent lawmakers home early.
"I'm a hard 'yes' on the Hegseth resolution," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Sunday on ABC's "This Week," saying Hegseth "engineered this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran," Roll Call reported. Retiring Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., told Axios he is undecided.
Hegseth's response
Hegseth called the effort a "sham" led by a "disgruntled, defeated congressman." Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the department "has followed the law." Trump said last week he intends to keep Hegseth.
Also this week: the Senate plans to take up a bipartisan permitting bill Trump backs, Senate Republicans are scheduled to hold leadership elections Tuesday, and new members begin orientation.