D.1. Excused Absences

Members of Congress must attend all official duties unless excused for good cause by the leadership of their chamber. Each chamber shall set fair rules for reporting and verifying such absences. Members who follow these rules in good faith are not considered in violation.

Just like any other employee in the United States, members of Congress are expected to show up for work. They can be excused if they can show their leadership a good enough reason. That reason, though, has to meet the rules established by their chamber. It isn’t just a case of sweet-talking the Speaker.