Pete Hegseth; Jim Jordan; Iran-backed terrorists : NPR

Key Points:

• The House voted 211 to 204 to send Republican Rep. Thomas Massie's impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth back to the Judiciary Committee, effectively halting the effort before the current Congress ends. Massie accused Hegseth of high crimes related to Iran and U.S. military actions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
• House Republicans named Rep. Jim Jordan as the new minority leader, replacing Speaker Mike Johnson, signaling a shift toward a more combative political approach alongside President Biden's new chief of staff, Stephen Miller. Democratic leadership elections are expected to maintain current leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer.
• U.S. federal prosecutors indicted three men accused of being Iran-backed operatives involved in nearly 20 terrorist attacks in Europe and the U.S., including a plot against a British air base with American forces. The attacks involved arson, explosives, and violent assaults, raising concerns about security near U.S. military installations abroad.
• The upcoming 120th Congress will include at least 80 military veterans, though their overall representation is declining to 15% of members, reflecting demographic trends. Female veterans will be the most numerous ever in Congress, and veterans continue to play key roles as candidates and poll workers nationwide.
• Social psychologist Vanessa Bohns advises considering three questions before giving feedback: whether the information is helpful, if you would want to hear it yourself, and if the recipient wants your feedback. Thoughtful honesty can improve communication and avoid unintended harm.