Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) is continuing to take aim at her GOP colleague, calling Rep. Tom Kean's (R-N.J.) absence “embarrassing.”
Boebert's Criticism of Kean's Leave
“I mean, sure, take care of yourself, get healthy, but who gets to take four months off of work because they’re sad,” Boebert told TMZ on Tuesday. Hours before, Kean returned to work with a speech from the House floor, telling his colleagues he was absent for more than 100 days because he had been hospitalized for depression.
“I entered the hospital for some testing. I did not believe that this would result in a long-term stay. I was given the diagnosis of depression,” Kean said. “When I first informed the public I was dealing with a medical issue, I was still trying to understand what was happening myself.”
Boebert's Previous Comments
Boebert has been on Kean's neck since at least earlier this month, saying that maybe she's working too hard while someone like Kean is absent for more than 100 days and still wins his primary. On Tuesday, she continued to echo those thoughts, saying depression comes with the job.
“I don’t care what party you’re a part of, it’s not OK,” she said. “There’s a dose of depression that comes with these pins that we’re given and so, if you can’t build up a tolerance to it, then maybe don’t be here.”
Boebert's Suggested Solution
She also offered a solution to his diagnosis, suggesting he could always just show up to work, cast his votes, and then leave. “I think not showing up for work is discounting the voters. It’s not right. It’s wrong. That is literally taxation without representation. It is absolutely awful. I can’t imagine missing one or two days,” she said.
Impact on Reelection
Even though Republicans want to keep the majority, Boebert said she isn't sure if she wants him reelected. Kean, who won his uncontested New Jersey primary, is up for reelection in November, facing Democrat Rebecca Bennett. “I wouldn’t elect somebody just for the sake of that,” she said. “I do believe in proper representation and people doing the job that they were elected to do, that they swore that they would do.”
