House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is facing growing criticism from within his own party after Democrats suffered two consecutive procedural setbacks on Capitol Hill, raising questions about his leadership just weeks before he is expected to become the next speaker of the House.
The controversy comes after Democrats secured sweeping victories in the November 3 midterm elections, putting the party on track to control both chambers of Congress beginning in January.
With Democrats projected to hold at least 255 House seats, Jeffries is preparing to take the speaker’s gavel.
However, a chaotic week of missed votes and parliamentary missteps has exposed frustrations within the Democratic caucus.
The first setback occurred Tuesday during a procedural vote involving Republican Rep. Thomas Massie’s effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth over allegations involving military operations conducted under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Republican leadership subsequently moved to send the resolution to committee rather than allow an immediate impeachment vote.
The motion passed 211-204, preventing the impeachment effort from moving forward on the House floor at that time.
But the result immediately sparked outrage among some Democrats after it emerged that 11 members of their party had failed to appear for the vote.
Had enough of those lawmakers been present, Democrats could have defeated the Republican motion based on the votes actually cast.
However, several Republicans were also absent, meaning the final outcome could have depended on whether those lawmakers returned.
The missed opportunity prompted sharp criticism from individuals who had been demanding action against Hegseth.
Fred Trump III, President Trump’s nephew, publicly questioned Jeffries’ leadership following the vote.
“I may have to rethink my support of Hakeem Jeffries after the Hegseth impeachment vote,” he wrote on X.
“Eleven Democrats do not show up? All Republicans vote it down.”
He continued criticizing the outcome, arguing that the failed effort had strengthened Hegseth politically.
“Pete Hegseth is laughing at you and is stronger today. Shame,” he wrote.
Progressive activists also expressed frustration over the apparent lack of coordination.
“Everyone knew that attendance was key tonight but somehow Democratic leaders failed to deliver and handed Republicans a win,” Demand Progress Executive Director Sean Vitka said.
Several absent lawmakers reportedly blamed Washington traffic for their failure to reach the House chamber.
Among them was New Mexico Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury, who issued an emotional apology after missing the vote.
Reports indicated that some Democrats had been returning from a political fundraising event less than two miles from the Capitol when they encountered delays.
Others cited medical procedures or family emergencies.
The controversy was particularly uncomfortable for Jeffries, who has repeatedly criticized Hegseth’s leadership and the administration’s military operations.
However, Democrats encountered another setback just one day later.
On Wednesday, Republicans successfully advanced a veterans-related bill through a voice vote despite Democratic leaders urging their members to oppose the legislation.
No Democratic lawmaker demanded a recorded roll-call vote before the measure passed.
The procedural maneuver allowed Republicans to advance the legislation without individual members having their positions formally recorded.
Democratic staff members on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee criticized the Republican strategy.
“Republicans pushed it through that way intentionally so their members wouldn’t have to go on the record supporting cuts to veterans’ benefits,” the committee’s Democratic minority staff wrote on X.
The accusation reflected Democratic opposition to the measure, although the source did not provide details establishing the bill’s specific effects on veterans’ benefits.
Together, the two incidents have intensified scrutiny of Jeffries and his leadership team.
Democratic strategist Mike Nellis acknowledged that frustrations were emerging over the party’s ability to coordinate votes.
“I think there’s frustration in terms of whipping votes. I’m not entirely sure where the breakdown is,” Nellis told Fox News Digital.
He added that there appeared to be some tension within the caucus but cautioned against viewing the situation as a serious threat to Jeffries’ political future.
According to Nellis, the New York Democrat currently faces no significant challenger for the speaker’s position.
Other Democrats have defended Jeffries, arguing that missed votes are common in Congress and should not automatically be blamed on party leadership.
Democratic strategist Dan Turrentine described the absences as unfortunate but not unusual.
House Minority Whip Katherine Clark nevertheless acknowledged that members needed to improve their attendance, per Trending Politics.
“My message is always to members that we need to be here and be on time,” Clark told reporters Wednesday.
Florida Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz also rejected suggestions that Jeffries should personally bear responsibility.
“It’s unfortunate, but that’s not on leadership,” Moskowitz said.
Despite the criticism, Jeffries remains positioned to become speaker when the new Congress convenes in January.
Yet the back-to-back setbacks have provided an early test of Democratic leadership at a moment when the party is preparing to assume control of the House.
After celebrating substantial election victories, Democrats now face the challenge of translating their expanded majority into effective legislative coordination.
For Jeffries, the immediate task will be demonstrating that his caucus can deliver the votes needed to advance its priorities once the party takes power.
