Traffic Jam Blocks Democratic Push to Impeach Hegseth

A traffic jam in Washington may have stalled an impeachment effort against US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, as 11 Democratic lawmakers missed a crucial House vote on Tuesday night. The Republican-led chamber voted 211-204 to refer the articles of impeachment back to the Judiciary Committee, effectively blocking the push for the current Congress. The vote was on whether to send the impeachment resolution to the committee, not on impeachment itself. Had the absent Democrats voted against the motion, they could have changed the outcome. Hegseth faced allegations of "high crimes and misdemeanours" over military actions in Iran and the Caribbean without congressional approval. Some Democrats blamed traffic, a police motorcade, and delays returning from an event. The missed vote triggered backlash within the Democratic Party, with criticism aimed at House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Lawmakers like Marilyn Strickland and Jonathan Jackson cited traffic incidents, while Nancy Pelosi was in San Francisco and Lou Correa had a medical procedure. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said members must "clock in and do our work." Democrats could revive the effort when they take control of Congress in January 2027.