North Dakota lawmakers are facing criticism for their frequent absences from legislative sessions, with one lawmaker defending her absence as she is being urged to go without pay for her vacation. Representative Emily O’Brien has been criticized for missing 65% of the House floor sessions this year, citing personal reasons such as health issues and family emergencies. Despite her absences, O’Brien maintains that she is still fulfilling her duties by voting on bills remotely and staying engaged with her constituents.
Calls for O’Brien to forfeit her pay for her absences have been met with resistance from some lawmakers, who argue that it sets a dangerous precedent and could deter people from running for public office. Others believe that lawmakers should be held accountable for their attendance and should not be paid for days they are not present.
The controversy surrounding O’Brien’s absences highlights the larger issue of accountability and transparency in government. As lawmakers are elected to represent their constituents, it is important that they are present and actively participating in legislative sessions. The debate around whether O’Brien should go without pay for her vacation raises questions about the responsibilities and obligations of elected officials.
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