Justice Absent For Two Of Three Votes In First U.S. Senate Week

On Wednesday, Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., missed two Senate floor votes.

His absences come after Justice delayed his U.S. Senate swearing in from the usual date of Jan. 3 to more than a week later, Jan. 15, to finish out his second gubernatorial term.

While governor and during his U.S. Senate campaign, Justice faced criticism for often being late or absent at gubernatorial events.

After accusations that he was defying the state constitution by living in Lewisburg and an ensuing lawsuit settlement in 2021, Justice formally agreed to abide by the governor’s residency requirement to live in Charleston. But he still faced criticism about his timeliness at public events.

Justice has attended confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s Secretary of Energy nominee Chris Wright on Wednesday and Secretary of Interior nominee Doug Burgum on Thursday.

Justice was also present on Friday to vote to end debate on the Laken Riley Act, a high-profile immigration bill.

Justice’s office did not respond to requests for comment.