“Jeffries didn’t even whip the vote,” one critic said about the House minority leader, who wants to be speaker. “This is why people want a stronger leader.”

As House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries seeks to become speaker when Democrats retake Congress in January, critics questioned his leadership Tuesday after the Republican-led lower chamber effectively blocked a bid to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth by just seven votes—an outcome that may have been averted if more Democrats showed up to vote.

The 211-204 procedural vote effectively torpedoed Congressman Thomas Massie’s attempt to impeach Hegseth by sending the outgoing Kentucky Republican’s resolution to the House Judiciary Committee, where it will likely gather dust during the remainder of the GOP-controlled congressional term.

  • Jaysyn
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    17 hours ago

    No they don’t. That’s what “Acting Defense Secretary” means. Have you really learned nothing over the past decade?

    • zoloftt
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      16 hours ago

      Ok, why do people get mean, do you think that helps make your point?

      “Acting” doesn’t give them the authority to do everything a confirmed individual does. They can be held liable much easier than a confirmed-by-Congress individual.

      Hegseth has to be impeached. “Acting” SecDef Jon Jonsonburger can just be booted after a lawsuit.

      • Jaysyn
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        15 hours ago

        With this Supreme Court? Laughable.

        “Acting” doesn’t give them the authority to do everything a confirmed individual does. They can be held liable much easier than a confirmed-by-Congress individual.

        Citation needed.

        • zoloftt
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          15 hours ago

          The supreme court is awful right now, but they aren’t always willing to take on all of this Admins shenanigans. Source: Cali Votes suit

          For the authorities question, you have the Vacancies Act. Source: Congress

          • Jaysyn
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            14 hours ago

            Quite literally none of the available remedies in the Vacancies Act would matter to any future dead fishermen in the Atlantic.

            • zoloftt
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              13 hours ago

              Ok, we’ve gone so far off topic it’s become pointless. If you just want someone to rant at about how broken the system is be my guest.

              You asked for sources. I provided sources.

              I don’t like it either, I think getting Hegseth out with will be a net positive. That is all.