- 12/21/10 08:05 PM ET
Scores of House lawmakers skipped Tuesday’s vote to fund the government.
At least 75 members were no shows at the rare House session. Most appeared to have failed to make the trek back to Capitol Hill to cast votes four days before Christmas.
The House approved a resolution 193-165 late Tuesday to keep the government in business through March.
Earlier in the day, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) broke the news to lawmakers that they would remain in session on Wednesday as well to vote on the 9-11 First Responders bill that provides health coverage to rescue workers at the September 11 attacks.
But the outlook for House members sticking around to vote on that legislation was not positive because members were having trouble finding flights home.
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) said he intends to miss votes on Wednesday because he wants to make it home for Christmas.
“I'm catching a plane tomorrow morning, I've had this one reserved for a while and if I miss this one I probably don't make it home for Christmas,” Simpson told The Hill. He indicated he would vote against the 9/11 bill if present, stating: “and the 9/11 responders hope I’m not here when this vote comes up.”
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