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House adjourns a day early as Massie points to Hegseth impeachment deadline

9/19/2026

The mechanism at the center of this week's Capitol Hill dispute is procedural.

Privileged resolutions carry a mandatory 48-hour consideration window in the House, and when Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., dismissed the chamber early Wednesday night, that clock ran out on Rep.

Thomas Massie's eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth before the House could be compelled to act.

Johnson told members the chamber had "done its work" and sent Republicans back to their districts.