GOP lawmakers nearly miss the bus

The buses taking some Republican members of Congress to their party’s strategy retreat in Baltimore, Md. were delayed Thursday because a “handful” of congressmen decided not to show up for their free ride, which was organized by the Congressional Institute and the Republican Conference.

Staffers made frantic calls to the tardy members’ offices as the punctual wing of the party waited on three idling buses between the Longworth and Rayburn buildings.

Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) was one of the last stragglers to make his way on before the convey left a half-hour late at 2:30 p.m.

Asked if some Republicans might be missing the bus, staffers seemed nonplussed. “They must’ve made other arrangements,” one staffer said as the doors shut.