Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., Illinois Democrat, was re-elected despite a nonexistent campaign but resigned shortly after Election Day as criminal charges loomed. He missed an average of 27 percent of votes monthly, some of that owing to taking a medical leave of absence beginning in June to address mental health issues.
But time in office was also a strong predictor of a diminishing ability to keep up with a demanding job, with the median lawmaker first elected in a particular decade missing more votes than his newer peers.
The 31 lawmakers who have been in office since at least 1975 missed three times more votes on average than the 105 first elected in 2010.
But one veteran lawmaker, even as he plays an important role in crafting legislation in powerful committees, still makes a point to make it to the floor to vote on routine matters, setting an example for younger colleagues.
Rep. Sander Levin, Michigan Democrat, the ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee, was born in 1931 and first elected in 1982, missed two of 1,606 votes last Congress.
© Copyright 2013 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.
Luke Rosiak is a projects reporter on The Washington Times’ investigative team. He formerly covered lobbying and campaign finance for two watchdog groups as well as transportation for The Washington Post. Luke can be reached at lrosiak@washingtontimes.com.
By John Solomon
How the government's punishing of the exposure of official wrongdoing can linger for years
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
Covering the world of soccer, including the World Cup, Major League Soccer, D.C. United and the English Premier League and other interesting sporting events.
A carefully guided tour through the confusing world of modern bookselling and publishing.
Benghazi: The anatomy of a scandal
13 Photos
Vietnam Memorial adds four names
18 Photos
Cinco de Mayo on the Mall
11 Photos
NRA kicks off annual convention
8 Photos
