Absent Democrats Help Block Hegseth Impeachment Attempt

House Republicans blocked an attempt to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday evening. A motion to send the articles to the Republican-led Judiciary Committee passed 211 to 204, effectively killing the effort.

Outgoing Republican congressman Thomas Massie introduced the articles on Monday, citing alleged constitutional violations and abuses of power related to the Iran war and extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean. Massie was the only Republican to vote with the Democrats.

“While en route to the floor to vote to support the impeachment, a traffic incident and a police-escorted bus caused a delay that resulted in the vote closing before I, along with other Members, could reach the chamber.”

Eleven Democrats and seven Republicans did not register a vote on the motion. The missing Democrats included former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Lou Correa, Julia Brownley, Laura Gillen, Steven Horsford, Jonathan Jackson, Marilyn Strickland, Brittany Petterson, and Sydney Kamlager-Dove.

Pelosi flew to San Francisco to attend a Veterans Day event and receive a lifetime advocate award. Her spokesman confirmed she supports impeaching Hegseth and would have voted no on the referral motion.

Other absent Democrats offered various excuses. Correa said he remained in California for a medical procedure, while Horsford, Jackson, Strickland, and Petterson cited traffic incidents, motorcades, or being denied the ability to vote.