11 Democrats skip Hegseth impeachment vote, drawing party criticism

Eleven Democrats missed a House vote on Tuesday to advance impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, causing the resolution to fail by a 211-204 margin. The missed votes exceeded the final difference, sparking criticism from within the party. The motion to refer Republican Representative Thomas Massie’s eight articles of impeachment was turned aside, preventing the effort from moving to the Senate. Seven Republicans also did not vote, while absent Democrats included former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and New Mexico Representative Melanie Stansbury, who cited travel and a traffic incident. Democratic lawmakers-elect Abdul El-Sayed and Richard Ojeda publicly condemned the absentees, with Ojeda saying they failed an opportunity to address "buffoonery." The story is developing as reactions continue.