The Hill reports that eleven Democrats' absences sank the November 10, 2026 House vote to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which failed 211-204 with only Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) crossing party lines. At least five Democrats blamed traffic — Reps. Melanie Stansbury and Laura Gillen cited a police-escorted bus, and others gave reasons ranging from a motorcade and medical or personal emergencies to Nancy Pelosi's Veterans Day trip to San Francisco, with Democrats possibly reviving the effort next year.