Washington, November 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal has vowed to pursue the impeachment of US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth when the new Congress convenes next year, insisting that a Republican procedural move to prevent an immediate vote has not ended the effort.
“Just because Republicans pulled a procedural move to stop Hegseth’s impeachment last night, it does not mean he is off the hook. We will impeach him next year,” the Washington Democrat wrote on X on Wednesday.
The House voted 211-204 on Tuesday to refer an impeachment resolution against Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee, blocking an immediate floor vote on eight articles concerning the Iran war. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie had forced the resolution’s consideration. All six Indian-American members of the House opposed the referral motion.
Jayapal’s statement came amid a separate clarification of her remarks about House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. In an interview with Talking Points Memo, she had said Jeffries would have “a relatively short rope” to demonstrate urgency after Democrats’ midterm election gains.
She later clarified that she meant he would have a short window to act, condemning attempts to interpret her words as invoking the history of lynching and racial terror against Black Americans.
In the interview, Jayapal argued that Democrats must respond quickly to voters with bold policies addressing their concerns and anger. She said progressives should act as the “push force” within the Democratic Caucus and press Jeffries to deliver reforms if he becomes Speaker.
She praised Jeffries for his handling of the government shutdown and his opposition to funding for immigration enforcement, while arguing that Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer should be replaced. Jayapal said no challenger to Jeffries had emerged and ruled out seeking the speakership herself.
“I’m focused on using my platform to push for the boldest possible change,” she told the publication.
Her priorities include Medicare for All, campaign finance reform, a ban on congressional stock trading, ending the Iran war, protecting voting rights, reversing Medicaid cuts, expanding collective bargaining and introducing living-wage legislation.
On immigration, she called for requiring judicial warrants for arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. She also advocated examining whether previously approved ICE funding could be redirected towards healthcare and childcare.
Responding to President Donald Trump’s comments about a possible immigration agreement, Jayapal said she would welcome genuine efforts towards humane immigration reform.
However, she urged caution over pursuing a third impeachment of Trump unless there was a realistic prospect of conviction in the Senate. She argued that another impeachment without a conviction could weaken Democrats’ case for holding the President accountable.
Jayapal also called for Democratic-led committees to investigate issues including a Qatari jet and Trump’s links to Jeffrey Epstein, describing such inquiries as a possible “roadmap for a potential impeachment”. She rejected the suggestion that congressional oversight would come at the expense of advancing legislation.
Jayapal represents Washington’s 7th Congressional District and is the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement. She is also chair emerita of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The new Congress is scheduled to convene on January 3.
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