Angry social media users questioned the Democrat’s excuse.
A Democrat who missed a critical vote on Pete Hegseth’s impeachment was roasted after posting a video apologizing for her delay.
The impeachment attempt against Hegseth failed in the House after a 211-204 vote Tuesday. Importantly, 11 Democrats were among the 18 lawmakers who did not vote. Republicans previously feared they would lack the votes to defeat impeachment proceedings, according to the New York Times; the missing 11 Democratic votes gave them victory.
The 11 Democrats recorded as not voting were Julia Brownley, Lou Correa and Nancy Pelosi of California, Laura Gillen of New York, Steven Horsford of Nevada, Jonathan Jackson of Illinois, Brittany Pettersen of Colorado, Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico, Haley Stevens of Michigan, Marilyn Strickland of Washington and Frederica Wilson of Florida.
Ranking Member Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) speaks during a House Committee on Oversight and Government Efficiency Subcommittee hearing in Washington, DC, July 21, 2026.
Stansbury’s X account offered an explanation Tuesday evening. “Like other members of Congress, Rep. Stansbury was prevented from entering the Capitol to vote due to a traffic incident and police escort of a bus during the vote.” He did not explain where she was before missing the vote.
The Democrat then released an apology video Wednesday that lasted more than four minutes, as criticism of the lawmakers intensified. “I am truly and sincerely sorry. But this is not the end, this is just the beginning,” the message read, along with the clasped hands emoji.
Democrat Melanie Stansbury releases apology video on X.
“Let me start by saying I’m really sorry,” Stansbury says in the video. “No one is more disappointed than me that I wasn’t there when the gavel fell as Republicans tried to bury this impeachment of Pete Hegseth.”
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After mentioning her support for Hegseth’s impeachment, she explained why she was absent, saying that as the vote approached, she got in her car and began driving toward the Capitol.
Stansbury did not specify in his video where it was from; however, Axios reporter Andrew Solender claimed that some missed the vote due to an earlier event.
“Some of the House Democrats who missed Hegseth’s impeachment vote were returning from an Elect Democratic Women event at a venue about 1.5 miles away on Pennsylvania Ave, but got stuck in a bumper-to-bumper traffic jam on Independence Ave.”
He added: “Some members found other ways to get back to the Capitol because their cars were actually stopped in the road. One got out and walked. Another was dropped off on the Senate side to avoid traffic.”
The event venue, Goldfinch Social, a members-only area inside The Roost, is 1.5 miles southeast of the U.S. Capitol. According to Google Maps, it’s a 33-minute walk, nine minutes by bike, or eight minutes by car without traffic.
Although Stansbury did not say she was at the event, she is on the group’s board of directors.
“I was stuck in the right lane,” Stansbury said, noting “I could literally see the Capitol, my staff was watching closely. I asked them to call…to let the floor know that the traffic was terrible outside. There were other members that were stuck in there.”
CNN lists 11 Democrats who did not vote against Hegseth’s impeachment.
She added that “this is not the end” regarding the action taken against Hegseth, adding that “this is only the beginning.” Stansbury issued a further apology at the end of the video, saying, “I am truly sorry with all my heart.”
The video containing numerous apologies was criticized by many social media users. One said under Stansbury’s post: “Save it. You knew when this session was.”
Another noted, “When most people don’t show up for work, they face real consequences,” while one user said, “You had one job and you didn’t show up. What would happen to your constituents if they did such a thing? Disgusting.”
Representatives for Stansbury did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On Wednesday, Fox News reporter Bill Melugin also asked Stansbury if he missed the vote.
When asked why she didn’t come sooner, she replied: “Because I did and I was stuck in my vehicle because of a procession of police.” »
The Fox reporter told him: “The vote was public since Monday, and the vote was open for a while. Do you think traffic is going to be an excuse?”
She replied: “It wasn’t open for a while. They gave the vote as soon as they could.”
After the interview, Melugin wrote on social media that the vote, initially scheduled for 15 minutes, remained open for more than 30 minutes.
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