Last updated on Oct. 31, 2015

This database was last updated in November 2015 and should only be used as a historical snapshot.

Rep. Adam Smith

D-Wash., 9th District. Member since 1997. Website | Facebook

7.6%
votes missed
524 out of 6,906
83.2%
misses explained
436 out of 524
8
mistakes

Adam Smith ranks 2nd in votes missed of the 434 voting lawmakers in the current Congress, which began this year.

Most Common Explanation Types

ProPublica categorized the many reasons members gave for missing votes. Of these explanations —which are not mandatory— half of all explanations are unclear, simply restating the absence. Also commonly cited are personal and family obligations, and ill health.
262
Ambiguous or no reason
152
Medical matter
9
Personal or family matter

Types of Votes Explained

We classified votes into three categories: On amendments to bills, which are numerous and can be voted on very quickly; on bills considered “under suspension of the rules,” which are usually uncontroversial and require two-thirds support for passage, and on “floor votes,” which include votes “on passage” and require a simple majority for approval.
194
Floor Votes
155
Suspension of the Rules
95
Amendments

Close Votes Missed

  • Not Voting
  • Voted “present”

H RES 956, 2008 (vote 32)

50%
yes no
204
196

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4137) to amend and extend the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes

H R 2642, 2013 (vote 353)

50%
yes no
216
208

Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act

H RES 776, 2014 (vote 561)

50%
yes no
214
212

Providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 83, to require the Secretary of the Interior to assemble a team of experts to address the energy needs of the insular areas of the United States and Freely Associated States through the development of energy action plans aimed at promoting access to energy

H R 547, 2007 (vote 91)

50%
yes no
200
207

Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act

All Vote Explanations

Date Vote Roll Call Title Reason
Sept. 25, 2015 No House vote 502 On Ordering the Previous Question, H RES 421 Medical matter
Sept. 25, 2015 No House vote 501 On Passage, H R 758 Medical matter
Sept. 25, 2015 Yes House vote 500 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, H R 758 Medical matter
Sept. 25, 2015 No House vote 499 On Agreeing to the Resolution, As Amended, H RES 420 Medical matter
Sept. 25, 2015 No House vote 498 On Agreeing to the Amendment, H RES 420 Medical matter
Sept. 25, 2015 No House vote 497 On Ordering the Previous Question, H RES 420 Medical matter
Sept. 25, 2015 Yes House vote 496 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H R 1949 Medical matter
Sept. 25, 2015 Yes House vote 495 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H R 1214 Medical matter
July 29, 2015 No House vote 450 On Ordering the Previous Question, H RES 369 Official business
July 29, 2015 Yes House vote 449 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H R 2256 Ambiguous or no reason

This database was compiled partly by hand. Are we missing a Personal Explanation?

Email Derek Willis