Absent House Republicans Leave Majority Up For Grabs

AWOL members face scrutiny from colleagues who complain they aren’t doing their jobs.

Empty podium

Republicans are supposed to have a majority of 220-215. In recent weeks, because of resignations and deaths, Republicans have had 217 members, along with an independent, California Rep. Kevin Kiley, who caucuses with them, while Democrats have had 212 seats. Frame Stock Footage/Shutterstock

House Republicans have reached a boiling point over their colleagues who have skipped votes in recent months, leaving their razor-thin majority ungovernable and at times giving Democrats majority status.

On Tuesday, a few hours before a vote on a critical border security bill, Republicans expressed anger over how their ability to pass legislation would be made more difficult by the absence of GOP lawmakers who were back home campaigning.

“Look, I had a pretty darn competitive primary. During the thick of it, it was competitive, I was missing valuable campaign time back home. But I did my job,” Rep. Andy Barr (R-Kentucky) recalled telling his colleagues, referencing his campaign for the GOP nomination for the Senate.