Eleven Democrats Prevented Hegseth Impeachment Vote

GRAND RAPIDS, MI. - The House of Representatives voted 211-204 on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, failing to advance an effort to impeach Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth. The vote referred eight articles of impeachment to the House Judiciary Committee, effectively ending the impeachment proceedings for the current Congress.

Eleven Democrats missed the vote, a margin larger than the seven-vote difference in the final tally. These absent Democrats included Julia Brownley, Lou Correa, Laura Gillen, Steven Horsford, Jonathan Jackson, Nancy Pelosi, Brittany Pettersen, Melanie Stansbury, Haley Stevens, Marilyn Strickland, and Frederica Wilson. Some cited traffic incidents, medical procedures, personal emergencies, or pre-scheduled events as reasons for their absence. Seven Republicans also missed the vote. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a Republican, was the only member of his party to vote against referring the articles, aligning with all 203 voting Democrats.

Representative Massie introduced the eight articles of impeachment, which accused Secretary Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973. The articles also alleged that Hegseth conducted unauthorized military operations in Iran, Yemen, and Venezuela, alongside other abuses of power. Secretary Hegseth denied these allegations, describing the impeachment effort as a "farce" and a "political spectacle."

President Donald Trump celebrated the outcome, calling it an "exoneration" for Secretary Hegseth. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries indicated that Democrats might revive impeachment proceedings after they take control of the House in January 2027.