U.S. Rep. Justin Amash has bragged about his pristine voting record since taking office in 2011, but that streak came to an end in tears Friday, March 10.
Amash, R-Cascade Township, was talking with reporters, complaining about the Obamacare replacement bill when he missed the notice that a roll call had just closed, Politico reports.
The news outlet reports the Michigan Republican Congressman broke down in tears when he realized his streak of 4,289 made votes in a row had ended. Politico paints the picture of Amash rushing into the chambers, trying to cast his vote while realizing it had closed and being turned away by staff.
"Amash approached floor staff and leadership to see if they could either re-open the vote or call it again," Rachael Bade and Jennifer Haberkorn of Politico report. "Staff said there was no precedent for doing so. Amash hung his head low and was overcome with emotion, those on the floor told POLITICO."
To rub some salt in the wound, Arkansas Rep. Steve Womack touted his standing as having the longest running voting streak in the House at 4,294 votes.
"I have been sent to Washington by Third District Arkansans to make sure their voices are heard; voting is fundamental to that duty," Womack said in a news release posted to his website. "I am humbled by the opportunity to serve my constituents and thank God that no personal hardships have kept me from representing them on a single vote since taking office."
Amash, a frequent social media user, has only tweeted the below message since missing the vote:
Amash frequently shares his thoughts and explains each vote to his supporters on Facebook or Twitter.
Haley Byrd, a reporter with the Independent Journal, tweeted that Politico's article was "sensationalist" in saying Amash was "was upset, sure. It was a big deal for him. He didn't burst out sobbing, though."
A request for Amash's office to confirm or deny the Politico report has not been returned.
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