Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) has expressed frustration with her colleague Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.), who has been absent from the House for months and missed more than 100 votes. Boebert described his unexplained absence as "embarrassing" in a candid interview with TMZ on Wednesday.
Boebert Calls Out Kean's Absence
"No one's been calling out Tom Kean enough," Boebert told TMZ. She noted that even President Donald Trump had praised Kean as "working tirelessly" and "WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN" before Kean won his primary unopposed on Tuesday. Kean has stated he is recovering from a health issue and will provide more details later, emphasizing the importance of "transparency."
Boebert questioned, "Where is he? No, seriously. It's embarrassing. We're supposed to be the party that is against campaigning from the basement." She continued, "I don't know where this guy is. I haven't heard from him. I've heard people cover for him. Sure, we need a majority but under these circumstances? Maybe I'm working too hard. Because I work my ass off to get reelected and to serve the people of my district. ... This guy hasn't been here since March and he's won an election?"
Criticism of Proxy Voting
Boecker later veered into a "taxation without representation" argument and referenced proxy votes during the COVID-19 pandemic. When asked what she would say to Kean if she could speak to him, she replied, "Hi. It's great to meet you. I'm Lauren Boebert."
Kean's last vote on the House floor was on March 5, as reported by the Associated Press.
