House Speaker Mike Johnson couldn’t hide his astonishment when Rep. Wesley Hunt, a Texas Republican, skipped a pivotal House vote on Thursday.
During a tight session with a razor-thin Republican majority, Hunt was absent as the House advanced a rule for four appropriations bills, including funding for the Department of Homeland Security, passing by a narrow 214-213 margin.
Johnson noted he hadn’t spoken to Hunt all week and expected him to be present for the vote. Despite the absence, GOP leaders managed to secure enough votes, even as all present Democrats opposed the measure.
The issue has sparked debate among party loyalists and leadership, with Hunt’s frequent absences drawing sharp criticism as he campaigns for the Texas Senate primary set for March 3. Many question whether personal ambition should trump duty during such critical times on Capitol Hill.
Hunt, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, wasn’t just missing for the Thursday vote; he also skipped former special counsel Jack Smith’s testimony to the panel, the Daily Caller reported. GovTrack data paints a stark picture—Hunt missed 46 out of 49 roll call votes between Dec. 18, 2025, and Jan. 21, 2026, a staggering 94% absence rate. Over his three-year tenure since January 2023, he’s missed 20% of votes, compared to a median lawmaker rate of just 2%.
GOP leadership has made it abundantly clear that with a mere two-seat majority, every vote counts. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise emphasized the need for presence, stating, “We have made it very clear to our members, especially with a narrow majority, that you have a job to do and it’s important for everyone to be here who can.” His words cut deep—duty isn’t optional, especially when the stakes are this high.
Contrast Hunt’s absence with the dedication of others like Rep. Steve Womack of Arkansas, who showed up despite the recent passing of his wife after 41 years of marriage. Rep. Jim Baird of Indiana also voted, neck brace and all, after a January car accident. These examples highlight a commitment to service that some argue Hunt is sidelining for campaign trails.
Hunt’s focus on the brutal three-way Texas Senate primary, where he trails Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton by double digits per Decision Desk HQ polls, seems to be pulling him away from Washington. A Hunt spokesperson claimed leadership had confirmed on Tuesday that his presence wasn’t needed this week, yet Johnson himself called Hunt just 30 minutes before a key vote, urging his return. The mixed signals only fuel frustration.
Johnson didn’t mince words about the tight margins, saying, “We have a one-vote margin, so it doesn’t make the job easier.” That one-vote edge means every absence stings, especially when the GOP is pushing to pass historic appropriations bills through regular order. Leadership’s irritation isn’t hard to understand when the agenda hangs by a thread.
Hunt, for his part, appears unfazed by the backlash, telling a Texas outlet that primary voters aren’t concerned with attendance records. He insisted their priorities lie elsewhere—protecting gun rights, advancing a certain presidential agenda, and securing the border. But is dismissing roll call votes the way to win trust for a higher office?
Critics within the party argue that showing up is the bare minimum, especially with other GOP members running statewide races, yet still casting votes daily. Scalise’s point about proving worth through current performance hits hard—ambition shouldn’t eclipse responsibility. Hunt’s 20% absence rate over three years isn’t just a statistic; it’s a signal to constituents about priorities.
Cornyn’s campaign has seized on this, with spokesman Matt Mackowiak accusing Hunt of prioritizing personal goals over party needs. The criticism stings with truth—when the GOP is fighting tooth and nail for every win, absences feel like a betrayal of the cause. Voters might wonder if Hunt’s focus is truly on Texas or just on climbing the ladder.
Hunt’s team insists he was en route to D.C. to vote later on Thursday after Johnson’s urgent call. Yet, with other absences that day—including Reps. Elise Stefanik, Tom McClintock, and Andy Harris—the pattern of missing key moments doesn’t inspire confidence. Leadership’s repeated calls for attendance, barring family or health crises, seem to fall on deaf ears.
While Hunt claims Texans care more about policy stances than attendance, the optics of dodging votes while chasing a Senate seat aren’t flattering. Border security and gun rights are indeed hot-button issues, but showing up to fight for them in Congress is how trust is built. Skipping 94% of votes in a recent span doesn’t scream commitment.
The narrow 214-213 vote on Thursday underscores how every single Republican matters in this fragile majority. Johnson’s surprise at Hunt’s no-show isn’t just personal—it’s a reflection of a broader struggle to keep the party united and effective. As the March 3 primary looms, Hunt’s balancing act between campaigning and legislating will remain under a harsh spotlight.
