Multiple Democratic lawmakers said a traffic incident and a police escort kept them from voting against a motion that effectively killed an effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday.
The House voted 211-204 to refer the resolution to the House Judiciary Committee, effectively killing it.
The resolution was brought by outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who lost the Republican primary and leaves office in January. Mr. Massie was the only Republican to vote with Democrats.
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A total of 415 members voted. Eleven Democrats and seven Republicans did not, and the Democratic absences were larger than the 7-vote margin.
The resolution outlines eight articles of impeachment regarding military actions and conduct in office, including the war with Iran, civilian casualties, strikes against drug boats, the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and alleged retaliation against Sen. Mark Kelly, Arizona Democrat.
The 11 House Democrats who did not vote: Reps. J. Luis Correa, Julia Brownley and Nancy Pelosi of California; Laura Gillen of New York; Steven Horsford of Nevada; Jonathan Jackson of Illinois; Brittany Pettersen of Colorado; Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico; Haley Stevens of Michigan; Marilyn Strickland of Washington state; and Frederica Wilson of Florida.
SEE ALSO: House shelves Hegseth impeachment resolution — but Massie’s push likely won’t be the last
Ms. Stansbury said Tuesday evening that she was blocked from entering the U.S. Capitol because of a traffic incident and a police escort of a bus.
“When she reached the chamber, the vote had just gaveled out,” her office said on social media. “She immediately filed a report of her vote of ‘NO’ to the motion meant to kill the impeachment articles and refer them to the Judiciary Committee, as documented in the Congressional Record.”
Ms. Gillen said Tuesday night that, like Ms. Stansbury, she was stuck behind the police escort blocking the Capitol when the vote closed.
“I would have voted no and believe strongly that Pete Hegseth should be impeached,” she added.
Mr. Jackson also said the vote closed before he could reach the chamber.
Not all 11 members cited the traffic incident.
Ms. Strickland’s office said she was stuck behind a motorcade and missed the vote by one minute.
Ms. Pelosi left the Capitol before the vote for a veterans event in San Francisco, and her spokesperson said she supports impeaching Mr. Hegseth and would have voted against referring the articles to committee.
Mr. Correa remained in California ahead of a medical procedure.
Mr. Hegseth called the impeachment effort a “farce” at a Pentagon news conference Tuesday.
The Judiciary Committee, which is led by Republicans, is under no obligation to act on the articles.
Democrats, who are expected to control the House when the new Congress convenes in January, could reintroduce the measure.
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