Florida Democrat cites surgery recovery for weekslong House absence
Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL) said she is recovering from left eye surgery after being absent from Capitol Hill for weeks. She noted that even though she cannot fly for now,she has continued working from her district-meeting with leaders,local organizations,officials,and constituents.
Wilson, 83, has not voted since April 17 and has missed 49 roll call votes, drawing increased scrutiny. Colleagues Lois Frankel and maxwell Frost said they were not aware she was missing votes before her statement. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said she is recovering from a procedure and expected to return soon, but Wilson did not specify when.
The rest of the coverage also ties her absence to broader developments in Florida, including a new gerrymandered congressional map that could strengthen Republican chances in the 2026 midterms, though Wilson’s seat is still described as reliably Democratic under the new district lines.
Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL) confirmed Thursday evening that she is recovering from eye surgery after a weekslong absence from Capitol Hill.
“Following left eye surgery, my priority has been ensuring a full and responsible recovery,” Wilson said. “Although I am currently unable to fly under my doctors’ orders, my work has not stopped for a single day. While recovering in the district, I have continued carrying out my official duties, meeting with leaders, local organizations, city and county officials, and constituents.”
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Wilson, 83, has not cast a vote since April 17. The Florida Democrat, who has been in office since 2013, has missed 49 roll call votes.
However, in her statement, Wilson defended her absence from the House, saying that whether she is in Washington or her district, the “work never stops for me.”
“Serving the people of Florida’s 24th Congressional District has been the work of my entire adult life,” her statement said. “This is my footprint, and this is what I do, and my constituents know my commitment to them is unwavering.
Scrutiny over Wilson’s missed House votes ramped up on Thursday. Wilson’s statement did not say when the congresswoman planned to return to Washington.
Reps. Lois Frankel (D-FL) and Maxwell Frost (D-FL) told the Washington Examiner prior to Wilson’s statement being released that they were not aware she was missing votes. A staff member for Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) confirmed that he has not spoken to the congresswoman.
“I didn’t even know. Is she OK?” Frankel said during a brief interview. “I’m gonna find out. I didn’t know anything about it. I didn’t know she wasn’t there.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) told reporters on Thursday that Wilson is “recovering from a procedure,” and that he expected her to be back shortly.
Wilson’s absence from Capitol Hill comes after Florida’s legislature passed a gerrymandered congressional map that could deliver Republicans four more House seats. The new map is expected to give Republicans a 24-4 advantage over Florida Democrats heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
Wilson’s seat, in Florida’s 24th Congressional District, is considered solid Democrat under the new map.
When asked if members should be transparent about their health, Frost told the Washington Examiner, “Generally, yeah, but I mean people get procedures done all the time.”
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He continued, “But yeah, members should be transparent about their health.”
“People have to be given time. If they have a health issue, they have to be given time to take care of it,” Frankel said. “That’s how I feel.”
Lauren Green contributed to this report.
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