The Houston Republican, who has missed 44 of 48 votes this month, said such absences are typical for those seeking higher office. Rep. Chip Roy, a candidate for Texas attorney general, has not missed any votes in 2026.
WASHINGTON — Rep. Wesley Hunt drew renewed criticism for his attendance record on Thursday after narrowly making it to Washington to clinch the GOP’s defeat of a resolution that would have blocked further military action in Venezuela.
It marked only the fourth time Hunt has cast a vote on the House floor this year, out of 48 votes held in the lower chamber since lawmakers resumed business earlier this month. The absences come as the Houston Republican is waging a primary challenge against U.S. Sen John Cornyn, who has seized on Hunt’s spotty voting record with a series of jabs on social media.A Hunt spokesperson defended the absences, saying that no “bills, resolutions, or GOP priorities have been delayed or stopped because of Rep. Hunt’s priority of barnstorming Texas to retire John Cornyn.” On Friday, responding to what he described as “anyone clutching pearls about missed votes,” Hunt added on social media that he has been “crisscrossing Texas nonstop” on the campaign trail.Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, held Thursday’s vote open for more than 20 minutes while the chamber awaited Hunt’s arrival, prompting shouts from Democrats on the House floor urging Johnson to close the vote. Hunt’s 92% rate of missed votes this year has elevated his career mark to 20%, or one in five votes since he took office in 2023. Thursday’s vote was Hunt’s first since Jan. 7., a nonprofit website that monitors congressional voting records. Rep. Chip Roy, an Austin Republican who is also running for statewide office in a four-way primary for attorney general, has not missed any votes this month. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, has missed two as she runs opposite Hunt in the Democratic Senate primary. Cornyn, who has missed one vote this year, has repeatedly bashed Hunt on social media over his attendance, while his campaign has launched a website,“Wesley Hunt is refusing to fight for Trump’s agenda by putting his selfish political ambitions before his responsibilities,” Cornyn campaign spokesperson Matt Mackowiak said in a statement. “He needs to do his job.” In the primary, Hunt also faces Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has remained quiet on the issue. The Houston Republican previously said in a news release that his absences were due to the premature birth of his son in 2023 and time he spent campaigning with President Donald Trump in 2024. House Republicans currently have a thin majority, one that slimmed further after the death of California Rep. Dough LaMalfa and the midsession retirement of Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Those vacancies leave the GOP with 218 seats to Democrats’ 213, meaning Johnson can afford just two defections or four absences on party-line votes if every Democrat is present and votes against the measure. Additionally, the minority party is set to grow its ranks after a Jan. 31 special election runoff between two Democrats running to fill the Houston-area seat held by Rep. Sylvester Turner, who died last March. Earlier on Thursday, Hunt missed a procedural vote setting up four appropriations bills, including one to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Johnson told reporters that day he was surprised by Hunt’s decision to miss the vote and had expected him to be there. Rep. Greg Casar, an Austin Democrat who is running in Texas’ 37th Congressional District, is the only other Texas lawmaker who has missed more than half of roll call votes over the last 10 days. Casar has been absent for about 58% of votes since the start of the year, but otherwise missed few since taking office in 2023.Vandal cuts, tears down campaign signs alongside North Side highwayHill Country officials prepare roads as winter weather approaches South Texas▶The parents of Kellyanne Lytal, who died in the floodwaters at Camp Mystic, are sharing their story.🎵 KRTU is celebrating 50 years on the air with a free concert Friday0:56Lawsuit, footage challenge judge candidate’s claim that she lives in Bexar CountyNonprofits shelter homeless individuals during cold snapCommunity reaction after not-guilty verdict in former officer’s trial'Is there anything you want to say to the families?' 'No, not right now'WATCH:Here's the moment ex-Uvalde CISD police officer Adrian Gonzales was found not guilty by a juryWATCH:Here's the moment ex-Uvalde CISD police officer Adrian Gonzales was found not guilty by a juryHoax threat made to Northeast Side school causes fear, panicDeveloper says it wants to work with community to reimagine Lone Star Brewery siteCPS Energy urges conservation during peak hours ahead of icy weekendBexar County helps family on verge of eviction after KSAT storyNorthwest Side neighbor asks for expedited traffic light installation at ‘Dead Man’s Curve’Closing arguments set to begin in child endangerment trial of ex-Uvalde CISD police officerLoad of bees spilled during crash on I-35 likely headed to California, expert says1:23San Antonio TikTok user shares ICE whereabouts to ‘help the community’Wemby says NBA needs more bald players‘We’re all united’: Sights and sounds from San Antonio’s 39th annual MLK MarchCity refills San Antonio River Walk after crews clean out trashFormer MLK Commission chair discusses march's cultural significanceSights and Sounds from MLK March 2026: NEMI House of Glory previews performanceFirst-time MLK March attendee shares atmosphere experience, reason for attending
Congress Politics 2026 Elections U.S. Senate Wesley Hunt Texas Legislature
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar, brother of Rep. Henry Cuellar, indicted on federal fraud chargesThe five-term sheriff and brother of Congressman Henry Cuellar denied all wrongdoing through his lawyer.
Read more »
Wesley Hunt ordered back to DC for crucial vote after being MIA all monthWesley Hunt, who is running for Senate in Texas, has missed 35 out of 38 House votes since the start of the New Year.
Read more »
Texas sheriff who congressman brother was pardoned now faces fraud chargesA sheriff on the Texas border with Mexico is facing fraud charges less than two months after President Donald Trump pardoned the sheriff's congressman brother in a separate case.
Read more »
Congressman Vows to Revive Cancer Bill After Senate Stalling, Honors Teen's LegacyCongressman Michael McCaul is fighting to revive the Give Kids A Chance Act, a bill designed to help children with cancer, after it stalled in the Senate. The bill passed the House unanimously but was delayed in December. McCaul is deeply affected by the issue, relating it to the loss of his childhood best friend to leukemia. He is also honoring the legacy of 16-year-old Mikaela Naylon, who worked with him on the bill before her death, urging lawmakers to help children battling cancer. McCaul emphasizes the urgency of the bill, highlighting the potential for new drug therapies and the risk to children's lives.
Read more »
Retired Alabama congressman once unendorsed by Trump running for state legislature after 35 yearsMo Brooks said the “precondition” for running was for everyone “urging [him]' to again seek office raise $100,000.
Read more »
Texas Sheriff, Brother of Pardoned Congressman Henry Cuellar, Indicted in Fraud SchemeSource of breaking news and analysis, insightful commentary and original reporting, curated and written specifically for the new generation of independent and conservative thinkers.
Read more »