In a surprising turn of events, the House of Representatives failed to pass the articles of impeachment against Alejandro Mayorkas, the Secretary of Homeland Security. The final vote tally resulted in 214 votes in favor and 216 against, with Republicans joining every Democrat to vote down the motion. This unexpected outcome came as a blow to the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, who just four years ago denounced single-party impeachments.
The Republican leadership had anticipated a different outcome and were confident in securing the necessary votes. However, their calculations were flawed as they underestimated the number of absentees on the floor. With a narrow majority in the House, every vote counts, and a miscalculation in presence played a significant role in this defeat. Initially expecting one Democratic absence, Congressman Al Green of Texas unexpectedly showed up to vote, altering the dynamics and reducing the margin for the Republicans to maneuver.
