House Speaker Mike Johnson canceled Thursday’s scheduled votes by calling an early recess, preventing a vote on Thomas Massie’s impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Massie and Rep. Pramila Jayapal criticized the move, while Johnson called the resolution a publicity stunt.
Mike Johnson sent the House home early, leaving Thomas Massie’s effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth without a planned vote before the midterms.
Left-leaning outlets portray the recess as a deliberate way to avoid the vote and shield Republicans from a politically difficult decision. Center outlets report the delayed vote alongside Johnson’s defense of the House’s work and denials that the schedule change was meant to block it. Right-leaning outlets highlight the brief work period and the votes or other initiatives the early departure set aside.