Representative Jonathan Jackson of Illinois missed a vote to impeach Pete Hegseth, then faced an embarrassing complication: He was reportedly seen just outside the Capitol shortly before voting closed.
Jackson was among 11 Democrats who did not cast ballots. Had those lawmakers appeared, they could potentially have helped move Hegseth toward the first step of removal from the Pentagon.
Jackson said he was heading to the House floor to support impeachment, but ‘a traffic incident and a police-escorted bus caused a delay that resulted in the vote closing’ before he arrived.
Thank you @repthomasmassie for your courage to step away from the GOP and take action against Pete Hegseth!
While I unfortunately missed yesterday’s procedural vote, you know you’ve always had my support, and the work isn’t over!
Pete Hegseth MUST be impeached! https://t.co/1BBOYvgp8e
— Rep. Jonathan L. Jackson (@rep_jackson) November 11, 2026 [1]
TMZ, however, reported seeing Jackson ‘right outside the Capitol with time to spare’ on the night of the vote. The outlet said he was filming a social media video on the Capitol steps minutes before voting ended.
When TMZ confronted him Wednesday, Jackson continued citing the traffic jam but called his absence ‘inexcusable.’ He also said the Capitol steps become ‘a very chaotic area’ while Congress is in session.
‘It’s not making an excuse for it, I should’ve been able to make the vote, it was procedural,’ Jackson said.
Jackson defended his record by saying he was the first member of Congress to call for Hegseth’s resignation. Still, missing the vote left him explaining why he was outside the building instead of inside casting a ballot.
‘It was a mistake and I wish I could answer you in any more detail but I support the removal of Pete Hegseth,’ Jackson said before walking away.
Rep. Jonathan Jackson told @hicharliecotton he couldn’t wait another day to impeach Pete Hegseth… but somehow couldn’t take a few more steps to the House floor for a vote. https://t.co/hxPYEJu1F1
— TMZ (@TMZ) November 11, 2026 [2]
Representative Thomas Massie, the Republican who filed articles of impeachment against Hegseth, was the only member of his party to signal support during the 211 to 204 vote. The New York Times reported that Republicans had worried their own absences might allow the impeachment effort to advance.
Instead, 11 Democrats missed the vote. Several lawmakers in Washington blamed traffic tied to a police escort for a bus near the Capitol.
Those Democrats included Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico, Brittany Pettersen of Colorado, Laura Gillen of New York, Marilyn Strickland of Washington and Julia Brownley of California. Brownley claimed Speaker Mike Johnson closed the vote before they could arrive.
Nancy Pelosi had returned to California on Tuesday, according to SFGate. Her spokesperson, Ian Krager, said Pelosi supported the impeachment effort but was being honored by Swords to Plowshares, a Bay Area nonprofit serving veterans.
Krager said Pelosi attended the group’s 30th Annual Veterans Day Celebration in San Francisco. She was receiving its Lifetime Advocate for Veterans Award and marking the district tradition for the final time as a member of Congress.
Other Democrats were openly furious with the missing members. California Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove said, ‘We knew that this vote was coming, so people should have gotten their raggedy selves up these steps to vote.’
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged that some lawmakers may have had health problems, but said an attendance dependent vote was difficult. ‘But obviously, having a vote like that on attendance is hard. That hurts,’ she said.
Incoming Michigan senator Abdul El-Sayed was more direct during an interview with CNN. ‘You should show up and do your job,’ he said.
California Representative Lou Correa said he was missing votes while undergoing a medical procedure and remained home ‘on my doctor’s advice.’ Nevada Representative Steven Horsford cited a ‘personal emergency’ that delayed his arrival.
‘I missed an important vote,’ Horsford said during a Wednesday floor speech. ‘I take full responsibility. The accountability I demand of others applies to me, too.’
Representatives Haley Stevens and Frederica Wilson offered no public explanation for missing the vote. Stevens is a lame duck after an unsuccessful Senate campaign, while Wilson is retiring at the end of the current Congress.
Massie’s eight articles accuse Hegseth of waging war in Iran without congressional authorization, disregarding laws intended to reduce civilian casualties and illegally directing the seizure of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.
President Donald Trump celebrated the result on Truth Social and called it an ‘exoneration’ of Hegseth. ‘The Democrats’ attempt to impeach Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has miserably FAILED! Every single Republican, except Thomas Massie, a major LOSER, voted in favor of Pete,’ Trump wrote.
The resolution now heads to the Judiciary Committee, which is controlled by Republicans. The committee may consider it or leave it untouched, allowing the impeachment push to stall without a vote on the underlying charges.
Democrats are set to take control of Congress on January 3 and could begin another impeachment effort. Massie’s resolution will expire when the new Congress convenes, requiring another lawmaker to reintroduce the charges.