Hegseth Impeachment Vote Fails Amid Democratic Absences

2 min read

House Democrats faced backlash after missing the impeachment vote on War Secretary Pete Hegseth, with several members citing traffic delays from an event hosted by the Elect Democratic Women PAC. The vote, which failed with a 211-204 result, could have passed if the 11 absent Democrats had arrived on time.

Event Attendance and Traffic Delays

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) attempted to impeach Hegseth, but the effort was thwarted by House Republicans. The 11 Democrats who missed the vote were attending a reception hosted by Katherine Clark’s Elect Democratic Women PAC, which was held at a restaurant about a mile and a half away from the Capitol. Some members reported getting stuck in traffic on the way back from the event, while others managed to get to the Capitol through alternative routes.

PAC Influence and Criticism

Elect Democratic Women, a PAC co-founded by Clark, was holding the event during the 5:30 p.m. vote. While Clark herself made it to the vote, several members were delayed by traffic. Some members managed to get to the Capitol by walking or being dropped off on the Senate side. Critics pointed out that the event may have influenced the outcome of the vote, with some members alleging that the PAC’s influence was significant.

Statements and Defenses

Several absent members defended their absence, citing traffic and police escorts as the cause. Rep. Marilyn Strickland’s chief of staff claimed that she missed the vote due to a motorcade blocking the Capitol. Rep. Melanie Stansbury’s office also blamed a traffic incident and a police escort for her delay. Others, like Rep. Laura Gillen, stated that she would have voted against the motion to refer the impeachment articles to the Judiciary Committee.

Political Fallout and Future Plans

The failed impeachment vote has sparked criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Some members, like Rep. Jonathan Jackson, defended their stance, stating they would continue to push for Hegseth’s impeachment. Others, like Rep. Brittany Pettersen, claimed that they were denied the ability to vote on the motion, despite their efforts to introduce articles of impeachment.

Source: Breitbart

Written by

Connor Davis