It seems to be a favorite attack line of opponents of Marco Rubio, Republican Senator for Florida. “He needs to show up for work”, “He has the worst record in the history of congress.” Ever since Jeb Bush declared “Marco needs to show up for work” during one of the Republican primary debates while pouring millions of dollars into attack ads against him. Now in a heated re-election effort, the phrase seems to be making a comeback. But is it the truth? What qualities make a U.S. Senator effective? Is voting on every bill presented a way to measure the quality of a Senator holding office? The answer is no.

The Facts-

Judging a Senator, a Congressman, even the President should not be based on whether they “show up to work.” I have direct oversight of many employees in a large healthcare organization. Some have perfect attendance, are never late and are excellent co-workers. I also have employees that are absent consistently, sometimes frustratingly so, but they are also excellent co-workers. At the end of each fiscal year, as I compile notes, look at attendance, review work quality to determine how much, if any raise they will receive the following year, their attendance is a tiny aspect of the bigger picture. Of course its important, but its by far not the most, or even close to the most important part of what makes them a valuable resource. The quality of their work is always the bar to which they are held. How effective they perform their job, how efficiently they perform their duties and how well they conform to change, growth and promote the mission of the company are always number one. I use this same method to determine who I will vote for in an election. It would make no sense, to vote for any elected official strictly by their attendance record. That's absurd. To illustrate the disconnect in this rationale, just look at the following numbers regarding Senator Rubio,while keeping in mind, this was while running in a presidential campaign: (govtrack.us)

Leadership Score

Highest 25% among All Senators

Our unique leadership analysis looks at who is cosponsoring whose bills. A higher score shows a greater ability to get cosponsors on bills.

Cosponsors

Highest 30% among All Senators

Rubio’s bills and resolutions had 219 cosponsors in 2015. Securing cosponsors is an important part of getting support for a bill, although having more cosponsors does not always mean a bill will get a vote.

Bills Introduced

Highest 25% among Senate Republicans

Rubio introduced 35 bills and resolutions in 2015.

Bills Out of Committee

Highest 15% among All Senators; tied with 4 others

Most bills and resolutions languish in committee without any action. Rubio introduced 7 bills and resolutions in 2015 that got a committee vote sending it to the floor for further consideration.

Working with the House

Highest 50% among Senate Republicans; tied with 3 others

The House and Senate often work on the same issue simultaneously by introducing companion bills in each chamber. 9 of Rubio’s bills and resolutions had a companion bill in the House. Working with a sponsor in the other chamber makes a bill more likely to be passed by both the House and Senate.