Washington Agenda: Impeachment and Funding Clashes

Lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill on Sunday to begin the post-election session. The immediate focus is a potential vote to remove Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Outgoing Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky intends to place a privileged resolution on the floor for this purpose.

Massie stated that the House must vote on the resolution unless Hegseth resigns or President Donald Trump dismisses him. Hegseth responded to the move with a video posted on X. He described the effort as political theater designed to destroy opponents. He added that the tactic failed against Trump and would not succeed against him.

The chamber also begins work on government funding this week. The current continuing resolution expires on Dec. 11. Lawmakers must act before that date to keep federal operations running. This financial deadline runs parallel to the political realignment caused by last week's midterm elections.

New members of Congress are attending orientation in Washington during this same period. House Republicans are preparing to select new leadership following their election results. Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana announced he will not run for the position of Minority Leader. Two current members are vying to replace him as the party's top leader in the House.

Those candidates are House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan of Ohio. Their competition defines the internal direction of the new Republican minority. The leadership vote will occur after the elections, setting the tone for the group's strategy on the Hegseth vote and the budget bill.