Johnson cancels House votes, avoiding Hegseth impeachment and AI bill

House Speaker Mike Johnson canceled the final legislative day before the November midterm elections, sending lawmakers home early and avoiding a politically charged vote on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The decision, announced Wednesday, also delays action on bipartisan artificial intelligence regulation, including a proposed "kill switch" bill. Johnson framed the move as allowing members to return to their districts to campaign. "It's time for our members to go home to their districts and make the case to the American people," Johnson told reporters. The House had been scheduled to remain in session through Thursday but will now conclude its last votes Wednesday evening on a Russia sanctions bill. The early adjournment sidesteps a vote on an impeachment resolution introduced by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky. Massie's 34-page resolution accuses Hegseth of abusing his office in leading the U.S. war with Iran, including executing unlawful orders and continuing troop deployments without congressional authorization. The resolution also references the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, which Massie characterized as a kidnapping intended to assert U.