Democrats miss impeachment vote, citing traffic

An attempt to impeach US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was sent to the Judiciary Committee after eleven Democrats missed the vote, several citing traffic delays. The Republican motion to refer the measure passed 211-204. The absent Democrats had attended an event for Democratic women about 2.4 kilometers from Congress. Staffers said police escorts and traffic incidents delayed their return, causing them to miss the vote by minutes. Nancy Pelosi was in California for a veterans event. The absences have sparked frustration within the party, with criticism directed at leader Hakeem Jeffries for poor coordination. Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove said the vote should not have been lost due to low attendance, while Jeffries has vowed the impeachment effort is not over.