Rubio Skipped Vote On Defense Bill He Attacked Cruz For Voting Against

Rubio attacked Cruz for voting against annual bills to authorize military spending, but missed one of those votes on Oct. 7, 2015.

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Marco Rubio attacked Ted Cruz during Tuesday's CNN debate for voting against the annual bill that authorizes military spending for the following fiscal year, but Rubio missed this year's vote to campaign in New Hampshire.

"Three times he voted against the Defense Authorization Act, which is a bill that funds the troops," the Florida senator and Republican presidential candidate said. "It also, by the way, funds the Iron Dome and other important programs and I have to assume that if you vote against it in the Senate, you would also veto it as president."

One of Cruz's "nay" votes came on Oct. 7, in a vote Rubio missed. The bill passed 70-27, despite Rubio's absence.

Rubio, who also missed a procedural vote that led to the bill's passing, told CNN at the time that, while he would do "everything possible to be present for any vote," being a presidential candidate meant that he was going to miss some.

"When I miss a vote, it's not because I'm out playing golf. We're out campaigning for the future of America where I believe I can make more of a difference as president than I could as a senator," he said.

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