The House's post-midterm to-do list is a political minefield
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House Speaker Mike Johnson has sent lawmakers home until after the midterms, but when they return, they'll quickly face a showdown over impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a renewed Epstein files fight and a looming government funding deadline.
Why it matters: None of these issues will be easy to resolve and could create a headache for the Trump administration in a lame-duck session after Election Day.
Driving the news: Johnson's early seven-week recess sidestepped internal warfare but guaranteed a chaotic stretch of headline-generating fights when lawmakers return.
- Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced a resolution Tuesday to impeach Hegseth, allowing him to force the House to act on it when lawmakers return.
- Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) also say they now have enough lawmakers committed to signing a petition to force another vote on files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
- And government funding expires Dec. 11, giving lawmakers only about a month after they return to resolve another funding fight before the holidays.
Between the lines: The midterms will determine who controls the next Congress.
- While Republicans remain in charge regardless of election results until Jan. 3, a Democratic-controlled House would end unified Republican control of Washington and gain control of the House agenda.
- The White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
What they're saying: A spokesperson for Johnson referred Axios to his Wednesday comments defending the schedule change so members could "go home to their districts and make their case to the American people."
- Johnson called the idea the House adjourned to avoid a Hegseth impeachment vote "ridiculous" and dismissed Massie's resolution as a "publicity stunt by someone who wants attention."
- Hegseth, Johnson said, has "done an extraordinary job."
Yes, but: If Republicans keep the House and Senate, the GOP will be expected to follow through on President Trump's promise to deliver every American adult a $5,000 "Trump Dividend" check.
- Johnson has said the payments would require congressional approval.
- The checks would cost an estimated $1.3 trillion amid a $40 trillion national debt.
The bottom line: Johnson's strategy shows how slim majorities make it hard for leadership to control rogue actors and squash unfavorable legislation.
- Johnson brought temporary relief for vulnerable House Republicans, but did so by trading it for a guaranteed breakneck sprint when the House inevitably returns.
Go deeper: Khanna, Massie say they can force another Epstein vote
