Democrat Apologizes for Missing Hegseth Impeach Vote Due to Traffic

Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a Democrat from New Mexico, issued a public apology on Wednesday for her absence during a significant House vote concerning the impeachment of War Secretary Pete Hegseth. In a video posted to social media, Stansbury explained that she was unable to reach the Capitol in time due to severe traffic conditions and a police escort.

The House voted on Tuesday to refer the impeachment resolution to the Judiciary Committee by a margin of 211 to 204. This procedural step effectively stalled the effort to remove Hegseth from office. Stansbury was one of eleven Democrats who failed to cast a vote, joining seven Republican colleagues in their absence from the floor.

Stansbury detailed her attempt to arrive for the vote, stating that she returned to her vehicle as the gavel was about to drop. She described encountering rush hour congestion on Independence Avenue, where a lane closure had already slowed traffic. She noted that she was trapped in the right-hand lane while watching the Capitol from a distance.

According to the congresswoman, a police motorcade escorting a bus away from the Capitol complex blocked traffic in both directions, preventing her from reaching the chamber. She instructed her staff to inform House officials of her delay. Stansbury acknowledged her responsibility to be present but expressed sincere regret, noting that factors beyond her control contributed to the situation.

Reporting from Axios indicated that several other Democratic lawmakers who missed the vote were returning from an Elect Democratic Women event located approximately 1.5 miles from the Capitol. These representatives also faced bumper-to-bumper traffic on Independence Avenue. Some colleagues managed to reach the chamber by walking or being dropped off on the Senate side of the building to bypass the congestion.

The full list of absent Democrats included Stansbury, Rep. Marilyn Strickland of Washington, Reps. Julia Brownley and Lou Correa of California, Rep. Laura Gillen of New York, Rep. Steven Horsford of Nevada, Rep. Jonathan Jackson of Illinois, Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, Rep. Brittany Pettersen of Colorado, Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan, and Rep. Frederica Wilson of Florida.

Stansbury conceded that the Democratic party lacked the necessary numbers to advance the impeachment effort even if she had been present. She highlighted that a conviction in the Senate would require a two-thirds majority, adding another layer of difficulty to the process.

The resolution introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, contained eight articles of impeachment. These articles accused Hegseth of misconduct related to various U.S. military operations, including the war in Iran and strikes in Yemen and Venezuela.

War Secretary Hegseth responded to the allegations during a Pentagon news conference on Tuesday. He dismissed the impeachment effort as an attack on the military rather than an act of patriotism, describing the move as sabotage. President Donald Trump also weighed in, defending Hegseth and celebrating the House vote on social media as an exoneration of the defense secretary.

The outcome of the vote occurs at a pivotal time, as Democrats prepare to take control of both the House and the Senate in January. This shift in power may set the stage for a renewed attempt to impeach the War Secretary in the coming year.