Rep. Melanie Stansbury apologizes for missing Pete Hegseth impeachment vote, citing rush-hour traffic and a Capitol-area police motorcade

House Democrats faced criticism after Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico said she missed the impeachment vote involving Pete Hegseth and later apologized in a video, describing the incident as the result of rush-hour conditions around the Capitol.

Stansbury said she was delayed by heavy traffic and a police motorcade near the Capitol area, which she said prevented her from reaching the chamber in time to vote. In her remarks, she told viewers, “I am so sorry,” according to multiple reports describing her apology.

The episode drew broader attention as other House Democrats were also reported to have been unable to vote during the same window, according to accounts from national outlets that described a group of lawmakers facing similar timing problems during the House’s consideration of the Hegseth impeachment effort.

Separate coverage also reported that Pete Hegseth had been publicly appearing while impeachment activity was discussed, with television and live-reporting outlets describing his statements and engagement leading up to the vote consideration, as members prepared for a potentially fast-moving floor schedule.

Stansbury’s explanation shifts the focus to how closely packed floor calendars can collide with real-world logistics, particularly during periods of high commuter volume and law-enforcement movements around the Capitol. The practical impact, as described in the reporting, is that lawmakers can be physically prevented from participating even when they are present on the Hill.