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The result leaves Hegseth in office for now

More than a dozen members missed the vote, including 11 Democrats.

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Key facts

  • More than a dozen members missed the vote, including 11 Democrats.
  • The result leaves Hegseth in office for now. It does not settle the political fight over his place in the administration.
  • Impeachment resolutions can be carried past the end of a congressional term. Democrats would be able to take the matter up again next year.

More than a dozen members missed the vote, including 11 Democrats.

The result leaves Hegseth in office for now. It does not settle the political fight over his place in the administration.

Impeachment resolutions can be carried past the end of a congressional term. Democrats would be able to take the matter up again next year.

Massie was the only Republican to vote against moving the resolution to the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee.

"Again, Victories in Venezuela and Iran, the Best Recruitment Numbers in the History of the Military (Long waiting lists to get in!), and Spirit like rarely seen before, led to the EXONERATION of a Great American Patriot,"Trump said, referring to Hegseth.

Hegseth has survived politically for now. Many lawmakers, including some Republicans, have questioned how long he can last in the administration.

Dig deeper

Who is Hegseth?

Pete Hegseth is the U.S. secretary of defense, a former Army National Guard officer and television commentator whose place in the Trump administration is the target of this impeachment push.

Who is Massie?

Thomas Massie is a Republican U.S. representative from Kentucky known for breaking with party leadership; he was the only Republican to vote against sending the resolution to the House Judiciary Committee.

What is the House Judiciary Committee?

It is the House panel that handles impeachment-related measures; with Republicans in the majority, referral there can stall a Democratic effort to remove Hegseth.

What is impeachment in this context?

Impeachment is the constitutional process for the House to charge a federal official; such resolutions can carry past the end of a congressional term, so Democrats could revive the fight next year.

Why does this matter?

Hegseth stays in office for now, but the vote does not end questions—including from some Republicans—about how long he can remain in the administration.

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