WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island on Tuesday night accused House Republicans of shielding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from accountability after the U.S. House in Washington voted on a procedural measure to block consideration of Hegseth's impeachment.

Reed, a Democrat and the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued his statement after the vote. His statement did not give a vote count or say who brought the impeachment effort.

"Tonight, House Republicans rejected the clear message from the election and instead circled the wagons and doubled-down on Trump's war with Iran," Reed said. "Republicans voted to shield Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth from accountability."

Reed called the vote a "partisan, party-line decision" and said he thinks it "shows why Republicans were routed in the last election." He said Democrats are "committed to meaningful oversight and accountability."

Reed said he would "aggressively pursue the facts, follow the evidence, and provide rigorous oversight" of Hegseth and the U.S. Department of Defense. "Congress must examine corruption and wrongdoing wherever we find it," he said. His statement did not specify what corruption or wrongdoing he was referring to.

The statement included no response from Hegseth, the Defense Department or House Republicans.

Reed won a sixth Senate term in the Nov. 3 election, defeating Republican Raymond McKay, The Signal reported. During the campaign he opposed the U.S. war in Iran, The Signal reported, citing NewsNation.

Reed has repeatedly criticized Hegseth this fall. On Oct. 1, The Signal reported that Reed called on Hegseth to explain to Congress, in writing, a reported plan to cut 20 percent of the military's general and flag officer positions.

Earlier coverage: Reed demands Hegseth justify reported plan to cut 20 percent of general and flag officer posts; Jack Reed wins sixth Senate term in Rhode Island

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