When the U.S. House of Representatives debated President Trump’s second impeachment on Wednesday, it was Maryland’s Steny Hoyer who gave the concluding speech.

“This is about our country, our Constitution, and our democracy,” Hoyer said. “These votes will be inscribed on the roll of history, a record of courage and of our commitment to country and Constitution.”

Congressman Andy Harris’ vote, however, will be missing from “the roll of history” -- the 1st District Republican skipped the historic vote.

“While I certainly would have voted against impeachment, and the Congressional Record will reflect that, my constituents were better served by my work in the operating room today than by taking part in this pointless exercise,” Harris said in a statement.

An anesthesiologist who still practices part-time while also serving in Congress, Harris said on Twitter attending the impeachment and voting would have been “a waste of time.”

“Today, I spent my time caring for patients in our district during this pandemic,” Harris said. “(Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s)  divisive, hastily called, and politically motivated snap impeachment is a waste of time when we will swear in President-elect Biden in fewer than seven days’ time.

“In light of his calls for unity and healing, I call on the President-elect to disavow this action,” Harris wrote. “Engaging in a political impeachment that will be moot in one week was another waste of time brought to you by the Democrat majority.”

The other seven congressional members who represent Maryland -- all Democrats -- were present and voted in favor of impeachment.

Because of the ongoing pandemic, the House of Representatives has adjusted rules to allow voting by proxy, in which a member in attendance can vote for someone who’s absent, but Harris didn’t take use of that.

A member of the strongly conservative Freedom Caucus in the House, Harris has always been loyal to the president, both in voting and in words. 

Harris was one of just four members who missed the historic vote, which passed 232-197, with 10 of Harris’ fellow House Republicans breaking party lines to support impeachment.

Now beginning his sixth term, Harris was criticized in recent days for maintaining a combative attitude on the House floor in the hours after last week’s attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was heard yelling at another member and -- reportedly -- nearly became involved in a physical altercation.

On Monday, a letter was released, signed by 71 members of the Maryland House of Delegates and 13 members of the Maryland Senate, calling on Harris to resign.

The lawmakers -- all Democrats -- accused Harris of "trafficking lies and conspiracy theories" which have caused division and hate.

In replying to earlier resignation demands, Harris said: “Democrats are calling for unity, yet also calling for the expulsion of members who objected (to the) Electoral College count. Today, some Marylanders are even calling for my resignation, which I will not do.”