Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California (File)
Representative Eric Swalwell has missed more votes than any other active member of Congress this year, a new analysis of voting records reveals, raising questions about his presence on Capitol Hill as he navigates a run for governor of California and a looming federal investigation.
According to data analyzed by the New York Post and nonpartisan tracking site GovTrack, the California Democrat has missed 95 of the 342 roll call votes held in the House since January 2025. The absences have spiked significantly in recent months; records indicate Swalwell has not cast a single vote since November 18.
The data highlights a stark contrast between Swalwell and his colleague, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Despite being 85 years old and recovering from hip surgery following a fall in December 2024—a procedure typically requiring months of rehabilitation—Pelosi has missed only 46 votes this year, less than half of Swalwell’s total absences.
READ: DeSantis Reshapes Florida Bench With Five New Judicial Picks
Campaign Launch and D.C. Absence
The sharp decline in Swalwell’s attendance coincides with his political ambitions back home. On November 21, the congressman announced his candidacy for California governor during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, positioning himself as a “protector” of the state against the Trump administration.
Since that announcement, the Sacramento Bee reports that Swalwell has been rarely seen in Washington. In the period from September 19 through Tuesday, he missed 50 out of 61 roll call votes—an absenteeism rate of 82%.
Federal Scrutiny
The attendance controversy comes as Swalwell faces intensified scrutiny regarding his personal finances. On November 12, NBC News reported that Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte sent a referral to Attorney General Pam Bondi. The letter alleged that Swalwell may have made false or misleading statements on loan documents related to the purchase of a home in Washington, D.C., prompting a probe into potential mortgage fraud.
Swalwell has aggressively dismissed the allegations, characterizing the investigation as political retribution orchestrated by President Donald Trump.
READ: From Panhandle To Homestead: Scott Locks In $950M For Florida Bases In New Defense Bill
“The only thing that surprised me was how long it took him to come after me,” Swalwell said in a statement regarding the probe. “Like James Comey and John Bolton, Adam Schiff and Lisa Cook, Letitia James and the dozens more to come – I refuse to live in fear in what was once the freest country in the world.”
A Pattern of Absences
While the recent spike is notable, GovTrack data suggests absenteeism has been a recurring theme in Swalwell’s legislative career.
Since entering Congress, he has missed more than 550 out of 7,253 votes. This results in a lifetime missed-vote rate of 7.7%, significantly higher than the median of 2.1% for the average House member.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
