Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert has attacked her Republican colleague Tom Kean Jr after the New Jersey congressman missed months of votes on Capitol Hill while battling depression.
Kean’s unexplained four-month absence from Washington, D.C., had led to speculation about the cause. On Tuesday he delivered an address on the floor of the House of Representatives to explain he had been seeking treatment, with colleagues on both sides of the aisle offering sympathy and support.
Shortly after the speech Boebert was asked about Kean by a TMZ reporter, who said: “A few weeks ago, we chatted and you were like, ‘Where is Tom Kean? What’s up with Tom Kean?’ Well, today he says he’s been gone for over 150 days because of severe depression.”
“I don’t even think he used the word ‘severe,’” Boebert interjected. “He just said he was diagnosed with depression. I, for one, have been marked safe from depression today.
“I think it’s embarrassing… I mean sure, like, take care of yourself, get healthy, but who gets to take four months off of work because they’re sad?”
open image in gallery“Well he might not be sad,” the journalist countered. “I mean, it’s, it’s…”
“Depressed,” Boebert interrupted. “He’s depressed. He’s sad. And I, OK, whatever the reasons, maybe it’s embarrassing. I don’t care what party you’re part of, it’s not OK.
“I mean, I think there’s a dose of depression that comes with these pins that we’re given, and so I mean, if you can’t build up a tolerance to it, then maybe don’t be here.”
Boebert said she did not wish to “just sit here and dunk on Tom Kean,” before accusing him of showing “an absolute disrespect to his voters” by not appearing for votes.
“If you’re depressed, OK, come in the back door, put your card in, vote, and leave,” Boebert added. “You don’t have to talk to anybody. You can keep your head down low, vote, and go home.”
open image in galleryAsked if she had the impression that other Republicans agreed with her stance, she claimed there was an abiding mood of “frustration” with Kean’s reason for his disappearance.
When the reported suggested she was “discounting” the seriousness of Kean’s situation, she replied: “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. I have an upcoming event in July that I may have to miss one day for, and that is absolutely driving me bonkers that that might be possible.
“I’m trying to figure out how to get here the soonest or leave the latest. We were elected to be here to work, and it’s unacceptable.”
Kean is actively campaigning for re-election and is set to face Democratic nominee Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, this November.
In his speech, he said: “It is physical, it is emotional, and until you experience it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be.
“Today I stand before you healthier, stronger and excited to return to the work that I love.”
Later he shared a clip of the speech on social media saying he was “deeply grateful for the prayers, kindness, and support I’ve received”.
If you are struggling and need to speak to someone, the National Alliance on Mental Alliance is available with contact details here.