Speaker Mike Johnson said the chamber "has done its work." Thomas Massie (Rep-R Kentucky) said the extra day off blocked a privileged vote on his eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The articles accuse him of waging war on Iran without a declaration. They also say he defied the war-powers resolutions both chambers passed. Leadership has not given its own account. House rules give a privileged resolution a vote within 48 hours, so leaving early runs out the clock.
- Before leaving, the House passed a Russia sanctions bill and a measure shifting data-center electricity and water costs onto tech companies.
- AAA put the national gas average at $4.48 a gallon on Sept. 19 after passing $4.40 mid-week.
- The Senate has two weeks left and is prioritizing a bipartisan college sports bill; an energy permitting deal waits until after the elections.