The House left town, but Hegseth impeachment, Epstein and a funding fight are waiting

Congress didn't solve any of it. It just relocated the fight to after the election.

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

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