US House blocks Pete Hegseth impeachment vote after 11 Democrats miss tally

The United States House of Representatives voted 211 to 204 on Tuesday to refer articles of impeachment against War Secretary Pete Hegseth to the House Judiciary Committee. The Washington Examiner and Law Commentary reported that the vote effectively killed the impeachment bid. The Washington Examiner noted that eleven House Democrats missed the vote, including Representative Nancy Pelosi of California. [1][4][5][6][8]

Representative Thomas Massie introduced an eight-count impeachment resolution against Hegseth. Fox News reported that top Democrats supported the effort, citing the war in Iran and the capture of Nicolás Maduro. Ahead of the introduction, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated that he was a hard yes on the resolution. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Massie originally introduced articles of impeachment in September before reintroducing them. [1][2][3][11]

Hegseth has served as the United States secretary of defense since 2025. He is an American politician, United States Army veteran, and former television personality. The Washington Examiner reported that referring the articles to the Judiciary Committee will likely keep them stuck there until Democrats take control of the lower chamber of Congress in January 2027. [1][10]

Fox News reported that the Democratic reaction indicates an appetite to scrutinize the administration of President Donald Trump through congressional power once majorities are formally sworn in. Common Dreams reported that the impeachment bid fell seven votes short because of the eleven Democratic no-shows. [1][2][3][4][7]