Gabbard Goes On Guard Duty, Misses Vote On Protecting The Post Office
The Hawaii congresswoman is deployed on a two-week training exercise that will help an Alaska Native tribe.
WASHINGTON — Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard was the only Democrat to not vote on legislation over the weekend the U.S. Postal Service by infusing it with $25 billion and banning operational changes that have slowed service across the country in advance of November’s presidential election.
Gabbard missed the vote, which took place Saturday, because she was on National Guard duty in Alaska. Gabbard is a major in the Hawaii Army National Guard, and has decided not to run for re-election in 2020 after a failed presidential campaign.
According to a press release from her office, she will be conducting training that will assist an Alaska Native tribe as part of an annual two-week duty requirement. Gabbard was this time last year during the height of her campaign for the White House.
Gabbard is one of of the “Delivering for America Act,” which was introduced by U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, of New York, who is the chair of the House Oversight Committee.
Gabbard’s office did not immediately respond to Civil Beat’s request for comment about whether she considered having a fellow House member cast a vote on her behalf. Proxy voting under House rules due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Hawaii Congressman Ed Case voted in favor of the legislation.
