Orange County, Calif. – Rep. Lou Correa (D‑CA) was among more than a dozen members of the House who did not cast a vote on Tuesday’s motion to refer impeachment articles against Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee. The congressman explained that he was in surgery that day.

Emergency surgery forced absence

Correa posted on X on Wednesday, thanking supporters for prayers and well‑wishes. “On Tuesday, November 10th, I underwent emergency open‑heart surgery. The surgery went well, and I am now recovering,” he wrote. He added that once medically cleared he will return to Washington, D.C., and continue representing Orange County.

Support for impeachment effort

Even though he missed the vote, Correa made clear his stance. In a separate X post he said, “I vehemently support the impeachment of Secretary Hegseth. Hegseth has dragged us into another endless war. He has fired experienced generals who disagree with him and the president. Under his leadership, the military has blatantly discriminated against women, LGBTQ+ service members, and others. Our troops deserve a Secretary of Defense who puts their safety first and honors our Constitution.”

House vote outcome

The House voted 211‑204 to refer the articles of impeachment to the Judiciary Committee, avoiding a direct vote on the articles themselves. Eleven House Democrats and seven House Republicans did not vote, including Correa.

Context of the impeachment push

The impeachment effort was led by Rep. Thomas Massie, the lone Republican who voted against the procedural move to sideline the articles. Critics of Hegseth argue that his policies have escalated foreign conflicts and undermined military morale.

Correa’s recovery and next steps

Correa’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his health status beyond the statements posted online. He thanked the medical team for their “extraordinary care” and expressed gratitude to his constituents for their continued support.

Local impact

While the impeachment vote is a national matter, Correa’s absence highlights the personal sacrifices elected officials sometimes make. Residents of Orange County can expect the congressman to resume his duties in Washington once cleared, continuing his work on issues important to the district.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.