Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after House Republicans moved to prevent Rep. Thomas Massie (KY-04)’s eight privileged articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth from coming up for a vote on the House floor:
“Under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership, we have entered two reckless wars of choice in Iran and Yemen with no Congressional authorization, no evidence of an imminent threat to our nation, no long-term plan and no viable exit strategy.
“Yet today, when presented with the opportunity to conduct a thorough investigation into these actions, House Republicans stood in the way of accountability and transparency for the American people and provided unwarranted cover for Secretary Hegseth.
“I remain alarmed by Republicans’ apparent determination to allow this Administration to wage its forever wars and act with total impunity. Secretary Hegseth shows a blatant disregard for the separation of powers outlined in our Constitution, as he ignores laws designed to minimize civilian deaths, captures foreign leaders without Congressional authorization and oversees extrajudicial killings. His tenure deserves serious scrutiny from Congress, and House Republicans instead continue to enable him.
“House Republicans did everything in their power to avoid and delay this impeachment vote, first canceling votes in September and now punting the articles of impeachment altogether. As Democrats fight to lower costs and put a decisive end to rogue actions by this Administration and its corruption in Washington, soon with expanded authority in the 120th Congress, I will continue to push for greater oversight to ensure this Administration abides by the Constitution and international law.”