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House Republicans blocked the impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday (November 10) by referring the impeachment resolution to a committee, effectively stalling it. The vote was 211-204, with all Republicans voting to end the impeachment effort. Eleven Democrats missed the vote, drawing criticism from their own party.
Democratic Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove of California called the missed votes "shameful," according to Newsweek. She emphasized that lawmakers knew the vote was coming and should have been present. Whoopi Goldberg and other hosts of 'The View' also criticized the absent Democrats, warning they could be "removed" just as easily as they got in.
Several Democrats cited traffic issues as the reason for their absence. ABC News reported that Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico, Laura Gillen of New York, Jonathan Jackson of Illinois, and Marilyn Strickland of Washington were among those delayed by a police escort of a bus. Stansbury's office stated that she filed a report of her intended "NO" vote after the vote had closed.
Other Democrats, like Nancy Pelosi, missed the vote for different reasons. Pelosi was in San Francisco to receive the Lifetime Advocate for Veterans Award, as noted by Newsweek. Lou Correa of California missed the vote due to a medical procedure.
The impeachment articles, introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie, accused Hegseth of unauthorized military actions and other offenses. Hegseth dismissed the effort as a "political spectacle," stating that no Secretary of War or Defense has ever been impeached for lawful military operations.
The White House and President Donald Trump supported Hegseth, with Trump calling the impeachment effort a "desperate, ego-driven impeachment hoax" on Truth Social. Vice President JD Vance also defended Hegseth, arguing that the impeachment was a tool for policy disagreements.
Democrats may revisit the impeachment once they take control of the House in January.