Early holiday vacation for Rep. Coble

Our local man, not-in-Washington, Rep. Howard Coble decided to treat himself to an early holiday vacation and to skip several votes over the last few days. Rep. Coble stayed around just long enough on Friday to vote against help for people facing foreclosure and has subsequently been AWOL for votes on

• The Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act (vote 656, Dec. 17),
• The Defense Level Playing Field Act (vote 658, Dec. 21),
• The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (vote 661, Dec. 21),
• A military appropriations bill (vote 662, Dec. 21),
• The Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act (vote 663, Dec. 21), and
• the other three votes taken on Dec. 21.

Perhaps Rep. Coble is changing his affiliation from the Party of No to the Party of Not Present.

Update (12/23/2010): Rep. Coble also skipped out on yesterday's vote to compensate and fund health care for 9/11 responders.