Hegseth avoids impeachment vote with early House election recess

A vote to impeach Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth that could have happened in the U.S. House as early as Thursday will now be avoided, at least until after this year's midterm election . Republican leaders announced Wednesday they would leave Washington a day earlier than scheduled. House Speaker Mike Johnson , R-La.,'s decision cuts short by a day an already light congressional work period, in a month that will see the House in session for just six days. The chamber is not due back in Washington until after the Nov. 3 election, as lawmakers will now fan out to campaign. In announcing the schedule change, House leaders did not reference the vote to impeach Hegseth, plans for which were unveiled on Tuesday in a surprise move from Rep.