Illinois Democratic Representative Jonathan Jackson has come under scrutiny after being spotted outside the US Capitol shortly before a vote on impeaching Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, despite previously blaming traffic for his absence.
Jackson was among 11 Democrats who failed to cast their votes during Tuesday night’s proceedings.
Their absence proved significant as Democrats attempted to advance impeachment proceedings against Hegseth.
In a statement explaining why he missed the vote, Jackson said he had been making his way to the House floor when a traffic incident involving a police-escorted bus delayed him.
According to the congressman, the delay meant the voting period had closed before he could reach the chamber.
Footage Places Jackson Outside Capitol Before Vote Closed
However, TMZ reported seeing Jackson outside the Capitol with time to spare on the night of the vote.
The outlet said the Illinois representative was filming a social media video on the Capitol steps just minutes before the voting period ended.
When questioned by TMZ on Wednesday, Jackson maintained that traffic had delayed his arrival but acknowledged that missing the vote was unacceptable.
“It’s inexcusable,” he said, admitting that he should have been able to make it to the chamber.
Jackson also described the Capitol steps as a particularly chaotic area when Congress is in session.
“It’s not making an excuse for it, I should’ve been able to make the vote, it was procedural,” he said.
He defended his position on Hegseth, adding that he was the first member of Congress to call for the defence secretary’s resignation.
“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.
Republicans and Democrats Both Faced Attendance Concerns
The House vote ended 211-204, with Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky the only Republican to support advancing the impeachment effort.
Massie had introduced the articles of impeachment against Hegseth.
The New York Times reported that Republicans had been concerned that absences among their own members could allow the impeachment proceedings to advance.
However, 11 Democrats also failed to participate, including Jackson.
Several of the absent lawmakers subsequently blamed traffic congestion around the Capitol, with some citing a police-escorted bus as the cause of the delays.
Nancy Pelosi Misses Vote to Attend Veterans’ Ceremony
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was also absent from the proceedings after travelling back to California.
According to SFGate, Pelosi missed what could have been a crucial vote to attend a veterans’ event in San Francisco.
Her spokesperson, Ian Krager, said Pelosi supported the impeachment effort and would have voted to advance it.
He explained that she had returned to her district to attend Swords to Plowshares’ 30th Annual Veterans Day Celebration, where she was scheduled to receive the Lifetime Advocate for Veterans Award.
“Speaker Emerita Pelosi returned to San Francisco to join and honor local veterans at Swords to Plowshares’ 30th Annual Veterans Day Celebration tonight, an important and longstanding district tradition she regularly attends and will mark for the last time as a Member of Congress by receiving the Lifetime Advocate for Veterans Award,” Krager said.
Swords to Plowshares is a Bay Area nonprofit organisation that provides services to veterans.
Other Democrats Explain Why They Missed the Proceedings
Jackson was not the only Democrat who attributed their absence to traffic problems.
Representatives Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico, Brittany Pettersen of Colorado, Laura Gillen of New York, Marilyn Strickland of Washington and Julia Brownley of California also cited traffic delays.
Brownley claimed that House Speaker Mike Johnson closed the vote before the lawmakers could reach the chamber.
Meanwhile, California Representative Lou Correa said he was unable to attend because he was undergoing a medical procedure and was staying home on his doctor‘s advice.
Nevada Representative Steven Horsford also missed the vote, citing a personal emergency that delayed his arrival.
Horsford addressed his absence in a speech on the House floor on Wednesday.
“I missed an important vote,” he said. “I take full responsibility. The accountability I demand of others applies to me, too.”
Representatives Haley Stevens and Frederica Wilson have not publicly explained their absences.
Stevens is leaving Congress after an unsuccessful Senate campaign, while Wilson is retiring at the end of the current congressional session.
Democratic Lawmakers Express Frustration Over Missing Votes
The failed impeachment effort sparked frustration among several Democrats, particularly over the number of lawmakers who did not participate.
California Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove criticised those who failed to make it to the chamber, saying lawmakers had known the vote was coming.
“We knew that this vote was coming, so people should have gotten their raggedy selves up these steps to vote,” she said.
New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also expressed disappointment over the absences, although she acknowledged that some lawmakers might have had health-related reasons.
“I don’t know why people weren’t here. Someone may have a health issue.
I don’t know. But obviously, having a vote like that on attendance is hard. That hurts,” she said.
Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed also criticised the situation during an interview with CNN.
“You should show up and do your job,” he said.
Massie’s Articles Accuse Hegseth of Multiple Violations
Massie’s impeachment resolution contains eight articles accusing Hegseth of serious misconduct in his role as defence secretary.
Among the allegations are claims that he waged war in Iran without congressional authorisation, disregarded laws designed to minimise civilian casualties and illegally directed the seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
The resolution sought to advance the impeachment proceedings against Hegseth.
However, the Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee will now decide whether to consider the articles or leave them untouched.
Trump Celebrates Hegseth’s Impeachment Vote Outcome
President Donald Trump celebrated the outcome of the vote on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday night, describing the failed impeachment effort as 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.
He also pointed to what he described as victories in Venezuela and Iran, strong military recruitment figures and improved morale within the armed forces.
Trump accused Democrats of weaponising and abusing the United States and called for their efforts to be stopped.
Democrats Could Renew Impeachment Push in January
Although the impeachment effort has stalled, Hegseth’s reprieve could be temporary.
Democrats are expected to take control of Congress on January 3 and could initiate another attempt to remove the defence secretary.
Massie’s current resolution will expire when the new Congress convenes, meaning a lawmaker would have to introduce the impeachment charges again for proceedings to resume.
For now, the resolution remains with the Judiciary Committee, which can either take up the allegations or leave them without further action.
