# Democrats lambaste absent peers allowing Republicans to squash Hegseth impeachment attempt

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/democrats-lambaste-absent-peers-allowing-republicans-to-squash-hegseth-impeachment-attempt/
- Published: 2026-11-11T16:34:02+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T16:48:58+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/nov/11/democrats-hegseth-impeachment-vote
- Topics: Americas, Elections, Politics, Software, Technology, World

## Key points

- Eleven Democrats missed the vote on Hegseth impeachment articles.
- Republicans defeated the procedural motion 211 to 204.
- Several absentees said they supported impeachment but could not reach the chamber.

## Summary

The House rejected a procedural move to advance impeachment articles against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, after 11 Democrats missed the vote. Democrats criticised the absences, saying the shortfall helped Republicans defeat an effort that reflected opposition to the Trump administration’s policies, including the war in Iran.

The vote was 211 to 204, seven votes short of passing the motion to refer eight impeachment articles to a House committee. Several absent Democrats said traffic, a police escort, a medical procedure or other commitments kept them away; some said the vote was closed before they reached the chamber. Many said they supported impeachment, while other Democrats noted that they had attended despite personal or medical circumstances.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.