The resolution accuses Hegseth of "high crimes and misdemeanors" and lists eight specific charges, including three counts of illegally waging war against Iran in violation of the War Powers Resolution and one count for waging war against Yemen without congressional authorization. Other charges include ignoring laws designed to minimize civilian casualties, overseeing "extrajudicial killings" in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean through strikes on alleged drug boats, suppressing free speech in connection with efforts to punish Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) for a video advising service members they can refuse illegal orders, and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro without congressional approval.

Massie, a longtime critic of Hegseth, first attempted to bring the resolution to the floor before the midterm elections in September. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) responded by calling an early recess to avoid the vote, causing the resolution to expire. Massie reintroduced it Monday as Congress returned to Washington.

Hegseth dismissed the effort in a video last week, calling the articles a "sham" and saying, "Didn't work against President Trump and it won't work with me." President Trump expressed support for Hegseth on Monday, telling reporters, "I'll stand by him. He won two wars. He was in charge. We all won."

Massie, who lost his GOP primary to Ed Gallrein, a candidate Hegseth campaigned for, responded to Hegseth's characterization of him as a "disgruntled defeated congressman" by saying, "Well, he's right about one thing — I'm a defeated congressman. I'm not disgruntled." He added that impeachment is essentially a firing mechanism and warned that when Democrats take control, "they are going to be very vicious."

At the heart of the dispute, Massie said, is the balance of power between Congress and the executive branch. "What's at heart here is the balance of power between the executive branch and Congress," he told reporters, noting that the War Powers Resolution has been largely ignored by presidents of both parties.

Presumptive incoming House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has signaled support for impeaching Hegseth. With all Democrats, Massie, and a handful of Republicans, there may be enough votes in the House to impeach. However, conviction in the Senate requires a two-thirds majority, making removal unlikely.

Some Republicans oppose the effort. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) told reporters that impeachment would be hypocritical given that administrations since the Korean War have largely ignored Congress' war powers. "I think trying to scapegoat Pete Hegseth is just the status quo politics in Washington," Davidson said. "I think it would be a mistake to impeach." He suggested lawmakers should use the power of the purse to withhold funding from the conflict instead.

The push comes as the U.S. has conducted military operations against Iran and Yemen without explicit congressional authorization, and as the administration has faced scrutiny over strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific. The charges also reference the administration's efforts to discipline Sen. Kelly for his video, which the articles describe as an attempt to suppress free speech.

The House is expected to vote on the resolution within two days.