It was an embarrassing moment for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) as a resolution to block President Trump from launching military action in Venezuela without congressional approval nearly passed, the New York Times reports.
Clinging to a razor-thin majority, Johnson needed just one more Republican vote to defeat the measure. He kept the vote open for 22 awkward minutes while Democrats jeered and Capitol Police rushed Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) from the airport to the Capitol to cast the deciding vote.
Hunt, who recently launched a primary challenge to Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), has missed 95 percent of roll-call votes since mid-December, showing up for just three of 58 votes.
Still, on Friday, Hunt issued a triumphant statement defending his absenteeism — and suggesting he deserved praise simply for showing up.

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