Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) became emotional Wednesday as she explained her absence from a key vote on an impeachment resolution against War Secretary Pete Hegseth, attributing her tardiness to significant traffic congestion in Washington, D.C.
House Republicans successfully blocked an impeachment effort by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) in a 211-204 vote on Tuesday. Stansbury was among 11 Democrats who missed the vote, which she described as a "long-scheduled" event.
"I am so sorry. There is no one who is more disappointed in myself than me, that I was not here the moment that gavel dropped," Stansbury said in a video posted to social media. She acknowledged that her vote would not have changed the outcome, noting the lack of sufficient numbers for impeachment in the House and the further hurdle of a two-thirds vote for conviction in the Senate.
The congresswoman detailed her struggle to reach the Capitol for the 5:30 p.m. vote. "As the vote was approaching, I ran back to my car. I got in my car, and I began driving towards the Capitol and as I approached the Capitol, it was rush hour on Independence Avenue. They closed one of the lanes. I was stuck in the right-hand lane," she explained. Stansbury added that she could see the Capitol from her car and instructed her staff to inform the floor of the severe traffic.
She further described a police motorcade that escorted a bus off campus, blocking traffic in both directions. "I understand that it is my responsibility, and I am sincerely sorry, but there were definitely factors that were out of my control," Stansbury stated.
Other Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), John Jackson (D-Ill.), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.), and Laura Gillen (D-NY), also cited traffic as a reason for missing the vote. According to Axios, Stansbury and several other Democrats were attending an Elect Democratic Women PAC reception at a nearby restaurant concurrently with the impeachment vote. At least one lawmaker reportedly exited their vehicle to walk to the Capitol due to the traffic.
Seven Republicans also missed the vote.
Republicans ultimately voted to refer the articles of impeachment to the House Judiciary Committee, effectively shelving the resolution. Hegseth is expected to face further impeachment efforts in the next Congress, where Democrats will hold majorities in both the House and Senate.