I was going to say you are on to something if we could replace Rat Reps and Senators with robots. But looks to me like they already behave, and vote, like robots . . . nasty and foul-mouthed they are, but pretty much like robots programed by Nanchi and Chuckie.
The main advantage of an empty chair is that an empty chair does not draw a paycheck. Or send naughty pictures of themselves to teenage girls. Or try to affect jury decisions.