The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to send impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth back to committee, a procedural move that is likely to stall the effort for the remainder of the current Congress, Al Jazeera reported.

The Republican-led House approved the referral to the Judiciary Committee by 211–204 on Tuesday. The vote was not a decision on whether to impeach Hegseth, but it leaves the allegations facing an uncertain path with about eight weeks remaining before the new Congress convenes.

Republican Representative Thomas Massie introduced the articles, which accuse Hegseth of abuses of power and conducting illegal military operations. Democrats provided most of the support for advancing the impeachment effort. The allegations are not findings of wrongdoing.

Massie was the only Republican to oppose sending the articles back to committee. He described the referral as “a procedural motion to kill the resolution”. The other votes followed party lines, according to Al Jazeera.

Attendance proved consequential: 11 Democrats and seven Republicans were absent. Had all 11 absent Democrats attended and voted with their colleagues, they would have had enough votes to defeat the referral and force a House vote on impeachment as early as this week.

The absent Democrats offered several explanations. Four cited traffic delays in Washington, DC. Nancy Pelosi said she was in California for a veterans event, while Lou Correa said he was there ahead of a health procedure. Steven Horsford’s office cited a personal emergency.

Several absent members said they would have opposed the referral. Two formally recorded their opposition in the Congressional Record, but that did not change the official tally.

California Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove criticized the absences, saying there was “no reason why we should have lost this vote because of attendance issues”.

Democrats will take control of both chambers on January 3 and could restart the process. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said he would consult members about another attempt.

Even if the House impeaches Hegseth, removal would require conviction at a Senate trial by a two-thirds majority. According to Al Jazeera, Democrats would likely need about a dozen Republican senators to join them.

Sources