Pelosi, Democrats Apologize for Missing Hegseth Vote
WHO:
Fox News - Illinois Representative Jonathan Jackson faced scrutiny over his explanation that traffic prevented him from reaching the Hegseth impeachment vote.
Fox News - Representative Chris Deluzio, a Pennsylvania Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said the failed impeachment effort should not end oversight of Hegseth.
The Washington Post - Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York has repeatedly said Democrats will “run Pete Hegseth out of town.”
Newsweek - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was the subject of eight impeachment articles introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie.
Newsweek - Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat completing her final term in Congress, was among 11 Democrats recorded as not voting.
Newsweek - The other Democrats recorded as not voting were Julia Brownley, J. Luis Correa, Laura Gillen, Steven Horsford, Jonathan Jackson, Brittany Pettersen, Melanie Stansbury, Haley Stevens, Marilyn Strickland and Frederica Wilson.
Newsweek - Seven Republicans did not vote: Monica De La Cruz, Neal Dunn, Russell Fry, Julia Letlow, Tom Tiffany, Derrick Van Orden and Rudy Yakym III. Independent Representative Kevin Kiley voted to refer the resolution.
Fox News - “The View” co-hosts Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sunny Hostin and Sara Haines criticized Democrats’ absences. Dan Turrentine, a former Democratic strategist and “The Huddle” co-host, said the missed votes were embarrassing for the individuals and party.
WHAT:
Newsweek - Hegseth said the impeachment articles concerned policy disagreements rather than conduct meeting the constitutional standard of high crimes and misdemeanors.
Fox News - Joy Behar said lawmakers citing traffic “really annoyed” her; Whoopi Goldberg joked that Haley Stevens “probably couldn’t find the train station.”
Fox News - Representative Jonathan Jackson said, “I am so sorry,” while blaming “horrific” traffic for missing the vote.
The New York Times - On “The Daily Show,” Desi Lydic mocked Democrats who missed the vote, saying, “A chance to impeach the secretary of defense, and 11 of you couldn’t be bothered to come to work?” She also joked that she had finished a Hakeem Jeffries back tattoo and now looked stupid.
The New York Times - Seth Meyers joked that Hegseth’s sigh of relief after the vote “set off every breathalyzer in the five-block radius.”
The Washington Post - Eleven Democrats missed the procedural vote on referring the impeachment articles, leaving Hegseth spared, at least for now.
Newsweek - The House voted 211–204 to refer the articles to the House Judiciary Committee, effectively halting the impeachment effort. Eight additional votes against referral would have defeated the motion.
Newsweek - The clerk recorded 210 Republicans and independent Kevin Kiley voting for referral; 203 Democrats and Massie voted against it. All Democrats who voted opposed referral.
Newsweek - Pelosi’s spokesman Ian Krager said she supported impeachment and would have voted against referral. Her office said she attended a veterans event and received the Lifetime Advocate for Veterans Award.
Newsweek - Pelosi and Representative Kathy Castor announced legislation intended to help aging veterans and veterans with disabilities remain in their homes. Pelosi said, “Veteran homelessness is a challenge to the conscience of our nation,” and that no person who served should be forced to sleep on the streets because earned support was out of reach.
Fox News - Sara Haines called the absences “a self-inflicted wound on the Democrats”; she said she blamed leadership somewhat but blamed individual lawmakers mostly. Behar criticized lawmakers who cited traffic.
WHERE:
Newsweek - Pelosi attended Swords to Plowshares’ veterans celebration at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco.
Newsweek - Gillen, Jonathan Jackson and Stansbury said a traffic incident and police-escorted bus delayed their trips to the Capitol. Strickland’s office said a motorcade delayed her; Horsford was absent because of a personal emergency. Correa remained in California for a medical procedure after his doctor advised against travel.
WHEN:
Newsweek - The House vote and veterans celebration took place Tuesday; the celebration’s listing said doors opened at 6 p.m. and remarks began at about 7:15 p.m.
Fox News - “The View” discussed the missed vote on Wednesday.
WHY:
Newsweek - Swords to Plowshares said Pelosi had worked with the organization for decades and served on its advisory board.
Fox News - Dan Turrentine said missed votes are common during a lame-duck period because some departing elected officials are “done with the place.”
Newsweek - Swords to Plowshares credited Pelosi with helping secure funding for veterans’ housing and supporting the PACT Act, which expanded health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances.
Newsweek - Pelosi said Hegseth’s conduct was “beyond unfit” in an October 9 social media post and declared, “He must go.”
Bloomberg Markets - Deluzio said voters are asking Democrats for “bold action” when they take control of Congress; he described holding the Trump administration accountable as one part of that agenda.
Newsweek - Pelosi’s spokesman described the celebration as “an important and longstanding district tradition” that she regularly attended; it was her final time attending as a member of Congress.
Newsweek - The impeachment resolution alleged Hegseth violated the War Powers Resolution in operations involving Iran, failed civilian-protection requirements, directed extrajudicial killings, retaliated against Senator Mark Kelly, and took unlawful actions involving Venezuela and Yemen. The allegations had not been adjudicated; Hegseth called the effort “a farce” and “a stunt.”
Newsweek - Gillen, Jackson, Stansbury and Strickland cited travel delays; Horsford’s office cited a personal emergency; Correa cited medical advice. Stansbury said she reached the chamber after voting closed and entered her intended “no” vote in the Congressional Record.
Newsweek - No public explanations had been identified for Brownley, Stevens, Pettersen or Wilson.
HOW:
Newsweek - Referral left the resolution with the Judiciary Committee, which is not required to return it to the House floor; lawmakers may begin a new impeachment effort in the next Congress.
Fox News - Turrentine said seven Republicans and 11 Democrats missed the vote, describing such absences as common during a lame-duck period.
(UPDATED November 12, 2026 20:03 UTC)
The House referred impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, halting the effort. Eleven Democrats missed the vote, drawing criticism. Representative Chris Deluzio said the failed effort should not end congressional oversight.
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(UPDATED November 12, 2026 18:01 UTC)
The House halted impeachment proceedings against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, referring articles to committee. Eleven Democrats missed the vote, drawing criticism from television hosts. Representative Chris Deluzio said the failed effort should not end congressional oversight.
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(UPDATED November 12, 2026 16:07 UTC)
The House halted impeachment proceedings against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, referring articles to committee. Eleven absent Democrats drew criticism, though some cited travel delays or emergencies. The allegations remain unadjudicated, and Democrats say oversight of Hegseth should continue.
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(UPDATED November 12, 2026 15:01 UTC)
The House sent impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to committee, halting the effort. Eleven Democrats missed the vote, helping spare Hegseth. The articles alleged serious misconduct; Hegseth dismissed the effort as a stunt.