The United States House of Representatives has blocked an immediate effort to impeach Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, voting 211–204 to send the proposed articles to the House Judiciary Committee.
The motion to refer passed on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. The procedural decision effectively halted the attempt to bring the eight articles of impeachment to a direct vote during the current Congress.
Official roll call confirms the result
The official House Clerk record shows 211 members voted for the referral, 204 voted against it and 18 did not vote. The party breakdown was 210 Republicans and one independent in favour, while 203 Democrats and one Republican opposed the motion.
Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie, who introduced the impeachment resolution, was the only Republican to vote against referring it to committee. A referral is not a finding on the allegations, but it prevents an immediate vote on whether to impeach Hegseth.
Claims and response
Massie’s resolution accused Hegseth of abuses of power and other alleged “high crimes and misdemeanours”, including claims connected to the Iran war and US military operations involving Venezuela.
The accusations have not been adjudicated. Hegseth rejected the impeachment effort and maintained that US military operations under his leadership were lawful. President Donald Trump also publicly backed the defence secretary before the vote.
Reuters reported that the referral effectively buys Hegseth time before Democrats take control of Congress in January and could consider a renewed attempt.
What the vote means
Hegseth remains in office and no Senate trial will follow from Tuesday’s action. Under the US Constitution, impeachment requires approval by the House, followed by a separate Senate trial in which a two-thirds majority is needed for removal.
The Judiciary Committee could examine the resolution, but the referral makes further action before the end of the present congressional session unlikely.
Featured image: The chamber of the United States House of Representatives. BaretaNews archive/file photograph.
