San Diego, CA—After missing a record 60% of roll call votes in Congress this year while drawing a full salary, it was revealed today that Congressman Bob Filner was also nearly expelled from the San Diego City Council in 1992 for chronic absenteeism. (See attached San Diego Union-Tribune story from 1992)

“Bob Filner has repeatedly shown a selfish sense of entitlement. He doesn’t think the rules apply to him. Working families have to show up to their job and follow the rules,” said DeMaio. “Bob Filner thinks exceptions should be make for him because he is a Congressman. He thinks he can do whatever he wants.”

“Bob Filner’s excuse this year has been that he has to travel to Washington to vote, despite the fact that every other member of Congress outperforms Filner in attendance,” said Carl DeMaio. “We learned today this is not the first time Bob Filner has had this problem. He stopped showing up to the City Council in 1992. Had he not lobbied his colleagues to bend the rules, the City Charter would have required that he be ejected for failing to serve his constituents.”

This year, Congressman Filner missed 353 out of 603 roll call votes according to Congressional voting records. Filner has the worst voting record of all 435 Members of Congress for 2012. By the rules of the City Charter, Filner’s attendance record this year would have forced him from office if he were on the City Council. Congress has no attendance requirements.

On the other hand, according to a UT San Diego article, “DeMaio’s voting record on the City Council is nearly perfect. He’s missed only six votes out of 810 this year, or 0.7 percent, according to a U-T San Diego analysis.”