Rep. Wesley Hunt’s recent absences from crucial House votes highlight the growing instability within the narrow Republican majority. His tardiness in attending a pivotal vote on a resolution regarding President Trump’s military power in Venezuela nearly allowed Democrats to claim a significant victory. Arriving 20 minutes late, Hunt swiftly cast his vote, which ultimately contributed to defeating the bipartisan resolution aimed at directing Trump to withdraw U.S. military forces—an issue that has become increasingly contentious.
The gravity of Hunt’s absences is exacerbated by the sinking margin of error for Republicans. With the departures of Reps. Doug LaMalfa and Marjorie Taylor Greene, the party can only afford to lose two votes without facing a Democratic-led initiative. House Speaker Mike Johnson noted that each absence complicates his leadership, a reality made more pronounced when Hunt missed earlier votes that Republicans barely passed.
This isn’t a new trend for Hunt. In 2025, he missed 87 votes, representing over a quarter of all measures brought forward that year. His notable absences included crucial votes such as condemning antisemitism and legislation against deepfake pornography. Even when the stakes were high, such as the recent procedural vote designed to prevent a government shutdown, Hunt’s absence was keenly felt as the measure passed by just one vote.
Hunt’s office maintains that he has prioritized attendance at critical votes and suggests that GOP leadership had assured him of his limited necessity in Washington during this campaigning period. However, the nature of the votes he has been absent for raises questions about his approach. While some of these votes may have enjoyed broad bipartisan support, the events of Thursday demonstrate that each member’s presence can be the deciding factor on contentious issues.
The urgency of Hunt’s situation was compounded by his recent push to campaign against John Cornyn for the Senate seat, further pulling his focus away from legislative responsibilities. Cornyn criticized Hunt’s absence publicly, stating that it could have almost led to a public relations triumph for the Democrats, highlighting the stakes involved in every congressional vote.
As Hunt navigates the complex terrain of campaign politics alongside his responsibilities in Washington, his previous record of missed votes could haunt him as Republicans attempt to solidify their majority and maintain control over key legislative agendas.
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