JOAN BARRON Star-Tribune capital bureau | Posted: Thursday, November 15, 2007 12:00 am
CHEYENNE - U.S. Rep. Barbara Cubin has now missed 50.2 percent of the 1,089 votes in this session of Congress, more than any other living U.S. House member.
Four missed votes on Tuesday put her over the 50 percent mark, according to a Washington Post database.
Cubin, R-Wyo., announced Saturday in Casper that she will not seek an eighth term in Congress in the 2008 elections because her family needs her at home.
She has missed many votes this year for personal reasons, including the illness of her husband, Dr. Frederick "Fritz" Cubin, who suffers from an immune disorder. In September she broke three bones in her left foot.
Cubin said criticism of her missed votes was not a factor in her decision to retire.
During her Saturday appearance in Casper, Cubin was asked how much time she would spend in Washington until her term ends in 2008. Cubin said lawmakers would be on break for much of the remainder of this year.
"I'm hoping Fritz will be better by the time we go back in session, and I'll re-evaluate then," said the congresswoman, who's still on crutches for her injured leg.
Although Congress originally was scheduled to recess Nov. 19 for the year, the plan now is uncertain, spokesmen in the offices of Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso said Wednesday.
"It's in flux," said Cameron Hardy, Barrasso's press secretary. Congress will recess for the Thanksgiving holiday but may be in session through December to finish work on bills, including some appropriations bills. The leadership will decide on the schedule, he said.
The chairman of the Wyoming Republican Party, Fred Parady, said Wednesday that he has not heard much "chatter" that people are concerned about whether Cubin is committed to continue representing the state as Wyoming's only member of the House.
"I think we're at a point where people recognize her 14 years of service. I'm sure she'll make any key votes, and people trust her judgment as to what that is," Parady said.
He added that he is sure Cubin will balance her family situation with her responsibilities.
Parady also said he has not heard people saying Cubin should resign her seat.
"A resignation brings a whole different set of issues to it," he said.
The Wyoming Constitution requires a special election to fill a vacant U.S. House seat.
"I think she'll be able to juggle her responsibilities, and we'll move onto into a competitive race and we'll go on from there," Parady said.
Next year's primary and general elections, he said, will be "on us in a heartbeat anyway."
Bill Luckett, communications director for the Wyoming Democratic Party, said he would not comment on the resignation question.
The people of the state, he said, deserve good representation.
"If she's not going to improve her attendance from this point on, we really encourage her to do so," Luckett said.
Capital bureau reporter Joan Barron can be reached at (307) 632-1244 or at joan.barron@trib.com.