Jim Jordan defeats Steve Scalise 106-73 for House GOP leadership

House Republicans elected Rep. Jim Jordan their leader Tuesday, while the House effectively killed an effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth by referring it to committee, 211-204.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Jordan, 62, of Ohio, leads the House Judiciary Committee and defeated Louisiana Majority Leader Steve Scalise 106-73 in a secret ballot. "Over the next two years, House Republicans will fight for American families," Jordan said after winning.

The votes followed Republican losses of more than 40 House seats and at least seven Senate seats in last week's midterms, according to CBS News and The Associated Press. Democrats take power when the new Congress convenes Jan. 3.

Jordan told colleagues his experience leading the Oversight Committee would help him counter investigations Democrats have promised into the Trump administration. "I am battle-tested on the oversight front and I know the Democrats' playbook," he wrote.

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky joined all Democrats against referring his impeachment resolution, making him the lone Republican to oppose the move. Massie leaves Congress in January, having lost his primary to a Trump-backed opponent. His eight articles, mostly about the Iran war, exceeded 30 pages.

Hegseth attacked the effort at his first Pentagon news conference in six months. "It's a political spectacle, a personal manifesto driven by ego and resentment," Hegseth said.

Whether Massie or Democrats will renew the impeachment effort after January was unclear, as was the number of members absent from Tuesday's vote. The resolution's reported death toll lacks independent confirmation.

Massie cites 256-day war

Massie wrote that the Iran war "has been underway for 256 days. Congress has not authorized it. Hegseth is breaking the law."

His resolution cited reported staffing reductions at a Pentagon office tasked with reducing civilian casualties. It alleged that a subsequent U.S. missile strike on an Iranian primary school left as many as 168 dead. The articles also addressed boat strikes near Venezuelan waters and actions in Yemen.

Before the vote, Massie wrote that if referral failed, he would seek individual votes on the articles.

I’ve heard from several members they agree with some of the Articles of Impeachment but not all of them.

If the motion to kill my resolution by referring it to committee fails, and we proceed to the Articles themselves, I’ll request a vote on each of the Articles separately.

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) November 10, 2026

"This is sabotage," Hegseth said, and said all the operations described in the articles were lawful.

President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that Hegseth gets an "A" PLUS, PLUS, PLUS for his defense against Massie, whom he called "a TOTAL LOSER!"

Republican lawmakers mostly backed Hegseth after Trump expressed strong support, although some Republicans blamed their midterm losses on the Iran war and the ensuing gas-price surge.

House Speaker Mike Johnson called the resolution a "political gambit for attention" and predicted its defeat by Republicans. On Monday, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said he was a "hard yes" and called Hegseth the "architect" of the Iran war. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer endorsed impeachment as well.

House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar said leaders left the decision to members rather than whip votes on the resolution.

The outcome may only postpone an impeachment push because Democrats will control both chambers in January, The Associated Press reported.

Thune re-elected without dissent

Senate Republicans chose Sen. John Thune of South Dakota again by acclamation, his spokesman Ryan Wrasse said. Senators had voted 31-15 to hold leadership elections despite a delay effort led by Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, NBC News reported. Ron Johnson left the room when voting started.

Sen. David McCormick of Pennsylvania said in a statement, "We need leadership in place fast, but Tuesday is too soon."

Thune told reporters Republicans had suffered a major electoral defeat but should "come out swinging."

House Democrats will choose leaders next week, followed by Senate Democrats in early December. Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders said he would not back Schumer for another term as Democratic leader.