House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies, D-New York, defended the surprise appearance of fellow Democrat Rep. Al Green of Texas during Tuesday's vote that ultimately tanked a Republican effort to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

"It’s not our responsibility to let House Republicans know which members will or will not be present on the House floor on any other day or in connection with any given vote," Jeffries told reporters Wednesday in the Capitol, The Hill reported. 

Green, who was receiving health care at a hospital, appeared in the House chamber in a wheelchair wearing hospital garb to cast his ballot. The move surprised Republicans, who had little wiggle room after three of their own voted no.