83-Year-Old Democrat Absent For Dozens Of Consecutive Votes

Democratic Florida Rep. Frederica Wilson, 83, has been absent for all House votes since after April 17 and missed over 40 consecutive votes over nearly a month, according to the chamber’s roll call.

During Wilson’s absence, the Florida Democrat missed major votes like extending FISA surveillance authorities. Wilson’s official social media account also reused at least one photo of the congresswoman that was originally uploaded back in October. (RELATED: 79-Year-Old Democrat Running For Reelection Draws Primary Challenger Three Decades Younger)

Wilson is a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as well as the House Committee on Education and Workforce. Wilson has reportedly not appeared on any footage from the several hearings the respective committees have conducted following April 17, The New Republic reported.

Wilson’s office did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller as of publication. After reports emerged of the congresswoman’s absense, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said she “is recovering from a procedure and I expect she’ll be back shortly,” Punchbowl congressional reporter Max Chen reported Thursday. Politico’s Riley Rogerson also reported on Jeffries’ statement.

Jeffries makes some news on Frederica Wilson’s extended absence. He says Wilson “is recovering from a procedure and I expect she’ll be back shortly”

— Max Cohen (@maxpcohen) May 14, 2026

Wilson has held her seat representing Florida’s 24th congressional district since 2013 and is currently running for reelection.

Since the 119th Congress began in January 2025, five members of Congress have passed away in office. These included Democratic Texas Rep. Sylvester Turner, Democratic Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva, Democratic Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly, Republican California Rep. Doug LaMalfa and Democratic Georgia Rep. David Scott.

Editor’s note: Article’s headline updated to reflect House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ statement to reporters.