> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.santanero.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Correa reveals emergency open-heart surgery after missing Hegseth impeachment vote - URL: https://www.santanero.org/news/national/2026/11/12/correa-reveals-emergency-open-heart-surgery-after-missing-hegseth-impeachment-vote/ - Published: 2026-11-12T00:25:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-12T00:48:26.000Z - Description: The Santa Ana Congressman said Wednesday that his surgery was successful and he is recovering. His absence came during a closely contested House vote that sent an impeachment resolution to committee. - Author: Daniel Diaz - Tags: National Eye, Lou Correa, #Lou Correa, #Congress, Congress Rep. Lou Correa (D) revealed Wednesday afternoon that he underwent emergency open-heart surgery the previous day, explaining his absence from a closely contested House vote on a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Correa, who represents parts of central Orange County, including Santa Ana, was among 11 Democrats who did not vote Tuesday, Nov. 10, when the House voted 211–204 to refer the impeachment resolution to the House Judiciary Committee. In a [statement](https://www.facebook.com/RepLouCorrea/posts/pfbid031sEKXRisYE58tv4ffMBhcMZeJQstAWtn1TFAtPjsdVB2YA8gKtgEfpwoVjYbWr25l), Correa disclosed the seriousness of his medical condition for the first time. "Thank you to everyone who has reached out with prayers, well wishes, and words of encouragement. Your kindness means a great deal to my family and me," Correa wrote. "On Tuesday, November 10th, I underwent emergency open-heart surgery. The surgery went well, and I am now recovering." The announcement followed an earlier statement dated Monday, Nov. 9, in which Correa said he would undergo a medical procedure in Orange County and that his doctors had advised him against traveling to Washington, D.C. At the time, he did not publicly specify the nature of the procedure. His earlier [statement](https://www.facebook.com/RepLouCorrea/posts/pfbid02atn1PSfzaCsnmmaW9wYk28Tn9SzCcLgAyyjqtAUofFMpS5Wi7i2ydq3zuwJDySKnl) was posted on social media Tuesday, hours before the House vote. ## A closely divided vote The House voted 211–204 on Tuesday to send the Hegseth impeachment resolution to the Judiciary Committee rather than proceed directly with consideration of impeachment. Eleven Democrats, including Correa, were recorded as not voting. 11 Democrats absent ## Who Didn't Vote? House Democrats recorded as not voting on the Nov. 10, 2026, Hegseth impeachment referral motion. ![California flag](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_California.svg) Julia Brownley California ![California flag](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_California.svg) Lou Correa California ![New York flag](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_New_York.svg) Laura Gillen New York ![Nevada flag](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_Nevada.svg) Steven Horsford Nevada ![Illinois flag](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_Illinois.svg) Jonathan Jackson Illinois ![California flag](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_California.svg) Nancy Pelosi California ![Colorado flag](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_Colorado.svg) Brittany Pettersen Colorado ![New Mexico flag](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_New_Mexico.svg) Melanie Stansbury New Mexico ![Michigan flag](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_Michigan.svg) Haley Stevens Michigan ![Washington flag](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_Washington.svg) Marilyn Strickland Washington ![Florida flag](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_Florida.svg) Frederica Wilson Florida Source: [U.S. House Clerk — Roll Call 317 ](https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2026/roll317?ref=santanero.org) Had all 11 absent Democrats voted against the referral motion, it would have failed 215–211, assuming every other vote remained unchanged. That would have prevented the resolution from being sent to committee and kept open the possibility of further House consideration of impeachment. However, defeating the referral motion would not have automatically impeached Hegseth. Impeachment itself would have required a separate House vote. Correa indicated in a [statement](https://www.facebook.com/RepLouCorrea/posts/pfbid02aWiW4WDX3NT9swd4sAR2etvXYUqqj7jbpiuzWoQz2CFVwG5QJ81JnvYRVNZ1Tvvgl) submitted for the Congressional Record that he would have voted against referring the resolution to committee had he been present. "I vehemently support the impeachment of Secretary Hegseth," Correa said. "Hegseth has dragged us into another endless war. He has fired experienced generals who disagree with him and the president. And 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." The procedural vote drew attention because the margin was narrow enough that the absent lawmakers could collectively have changed the outcome. Their absences, however, do not establish how each would have voted. ## Correa plans to continue working from Orange County In his Wednesday statement, Correa said he intends to resume traveling to Washington once his doctors determine he is medically cleared. "When medically cleared, I’ll return to Washington, D.C., and continue fighting for Orange County," he wrote. "In the meantime, I’ll continue working from the district alongside my team to serve our constituents." Correa also expressed gratitude to the medical professionals who treated him. "To the doctors, surgeons, nurses, and medical staff: Thank you for the extraordinary care you’ve provided and the compassion you've shown my family," he wrote. He concluded his message with the Spanish phrase "Nos vemos pronto," or "See you soon." The congressman did not provide a timetable for his return to Washington or disclose additional details about the medical emergency. His announcement makes clear that his absence from Tuesday's House vote coincided with emergency heart surgery. While the missed vote had potential consequences for the impeachment effort, Correa's latest statement provides important context for why he could not attend. Correa said he will continue serving constituents from Orange County with the assistance of his congressional staff while he recovers.