Democratic Lawmakers Apologize Following Absences on Hegseth Impeachment Vote
Eleven House Democrats missed a crucial House vote that effectively blocked an effort to advance articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, drawing sharp criticism from within their own caucus. The House voted 211-204 to send eight articles of impeachment introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) to the Judiciary Committee, sidestepping an immediate floor vote.
The motion's success relied on the absence of the Democratic lawmakers, as the missing votes would have been enough to defeat the referral and keep the impeachment effort alive. Several absent members subsequently apologized or offered explanations for their failure to reach the chamber in time.
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-California) openly criticized her absent colleagues, telling reporters that attendance issues should not have cost the caucus the vote. Multiple lawmakers—including Reps. Jonathan Jackson (D-Illinois), Melanie Stansbury (D-New Mexico), Laura Gillen (D-New York), and Marilyn Strickland (D-Washington)—blamed traffic incidents, motorcades, or police-escorted buses for delaying their return to the Capitol.
Other absent Democrats cited personal matters, pre-scheduled travel, or medical guidance. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) was in San Francisco to receive a veterans' advocacy award, while Rep. Lou Correa (D-California) remained in his home state awaiting a medical procedure. Additional absences were recorded for Reps. Steven Horsford, Eugene Vindman, Haley Stevens, Julia Brownley, Brittany Pettersen, and Frederica Wilson.
While the missing members submitted statements to the Congressional Record indicating they would have voted against the referral, those entries did not alter the official tally. Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries indicated that the party may pursue further scrutiny and potential impeachment efforts against Hegseth when Democrats take control of the House.
