US House Vote Blocks Impeachment Effort Against Defense Secretary

The United States House of Representatives has rejected a resolution seeking the impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over his conduct in office and handling of the ongoing war in Iran. The decision gives a reprieve for the Pentagon chief before Democrats take control of the Congress next year and possibly try again. The U.S. House of Representatives rejected a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday in a 211 to 204 vote. The House referred the resolution, introduced by Republican Thomas Massie, to a committee for further consideration, effectively blocking the impeachment effort. The U.S. Constitution provides for the impeachment of federal officials, including cabinet secretaries. They can be removed from office for treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors. The process begins in the House of Representatives, where lawmakers can introduce an impeachment resolution or a committee can investigate allegations of misconduct. The House then votes on whether to formally impeach the official by adopting articles of impeachment. If a simple majority in the House votes in favour of impeachment, the case moves to the Senate for trial. Being impeached does not automatically remove a cabinet official from office. The official can continue serving while the Senate considers the charges. A two-thirds majority of senators present is required to convict and remove the official from office. Only two cabinet secretaries have been impeached in U.S. history. In both cases, the Senate did not convict them.