Democrats lambast absent peers after Republicans block Hegseth impeachment attempt

Democrats have expressed outrage at their colleagues for missing a vote to impeach defense secretary Pete Hegseth, allowing Republicans to defeat the effort.

Eleven Democrats missed the key procedural vote on the impeachment effort, which failed by just seven votes.

The vote came amid ongoing tensions between Democrats and Republicans in the US Congress.

The impeachment effort was sparked by Hegseth's handling of a military sexual assault case.