11 Missing Democrats Accidentally Spare Party From Hegseth Impeachment Fight

The 11 House Democrats who missed Tuesday's vote on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth inadvertently helped their party avoid a politically risky fight, despite criticism from colleagues who said they should have been present. The House voted 211-204 to refer Republican Representative Thomas Massie's eight impeachment articles to the Judiciary Committee, shelving them. The absent Democrats, some citing traffic, would have made the referral vote fail if they had joined all other Democrats in opposing it. However, Democrats lack the Senate votes for conviction, needing a two-thirds majority with at least 11 Republicans, and two Republicans open to conviction are leaving in January. Incoming committee chairs can investigate Hegseth through oversight instead, which some Democrats like Representative Jim Himes have suggested. Voters prioritized the economy, health care, and Iran in the election, with Democrats holding a 20-point advantage on health care. Impeachment without removal has historically emboldened targets, as seen with Donald Trump's two acquittals, and the last Cabinet secretary impeached, Alejandro Mayorkas, kept his job. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Tuesday was not the end, but the absences bought time to focus on voter priorities.