Don Young was absent for a significant number of votes during his latest term in office, missing more than 16 percent of all votes so far in the 112th Congress.
The analysis of Congress members’ attendance records shows the Alaska congressman missed July’s important Cut, Cap, and Balance budget measure, opting to go on a charity fishing trip instead, reports The New York Times.
The scrutiny of attendance excludes lawmakers who are ill or recovering from injuries, like Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, as well as the two representatives running for president.
According to an analysis of House attendance, nearly 20 current members have missed more than 10 percent of the votes this year, The NY Times reports.
The vote rankings leave Young, who was first elected in 1973, as the congressman who has been most absent from voting.
A spokesman for Mr. Young defended the findings, saying his efficacy should not be judged solely on how often he registers his positions on the House floor, reports The NY Times.
“There are many things that factor into being an effective member of Congress in addition to voting, such as meeting with constituents,” said Luke Miller, the spokesman, in an e-mail.
Ironically, Young did not respond to a request made on the House floor last Thursday to discuss the matter, because he was absent again. “It should be noted,” Miller said, “that Alaska is over 10,000 miles away round trip,” The NY Times reports.
