Hegseth survives impeachment vote after D.C. traffic blocks Democrats

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth narrowly avoided impeachment Tuesday night after a Washington, D.C. traffic jam prevented 11 House Democrats from returning to vote, allowing the Republican majority to refer the articles to committee. The impeachment effort cited his waging war in Iran and bombing alleged drug boats without congressional approval. The absent Democrats were returning from an Elect Democratic Women event about 1.5 miles away when they got stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, with some citing a police-escorted bus and motorcade as delays. Their absence allowed the GOP-led Judiciary Committee to receive the articles, where they will likely remain until Democrats take control of Congress in January 2027. The fiasco has sparked criticism of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, with pundits and progressives blaming him for the missed vote, while some absent members like Rep. Marilyn Strickland said they missed by one minute and filed their "no" votes in the Congressional Record. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Democrats must "clock in and do our work here."