By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert shared her criticism over a $1.2 trillion spending bill in Congress, offered her positions on a variety of issues, discussed the observance of Easter and detailed her campaign in Colorado’s 4th District during a grassroots call Tuesday evening.
“I am angry and very frustrated, but do not believe vacating [on Speaker Mike Johnston] is a thing to do,” Boebert said, of the $1.2 trillion bill delivered to members with little time to consume. “We have a one-seat majority. We are stuck with him or we end up with [Democrat] Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker.”
Securing the border should be the top priority of Congress, she said.
“A lot of us have ideas on what to do. What sets me apart from my opponents is I’m actually drafting legislation. It’s not a pie in the sky promise,” she said. “I’ve introduced legislation to defund sanctuary cities. I’m ready for county commissioners and sheriffs to take over and say ‘not on my watch’.”
Her most recent legislation on the border incorporates a theme some may have heard on the campaign trail: ‘Build the wall, deport them all.’
“This brings back the ‘Stay in Mexico’ policy,” she said.
Boebert has received the endorsement from former President Donald Trump, a coveted prize in Eastern Colorado that one candidate for the 4th District had said could decide the next congressperson.
“I am honored to have the endorsement,” Boebert said. “Folks are hungry for his leadership and for him to return. He is being persecuted on many levels by the Left.”
Her House Resolution 6009, the Restoring American Energy Dominance Act, recently passed through the House, gathering a few Democratic votes, a point she made during the call.
“A lot of people think I’m radical, but you might start calling me bi-partisan Boebert,” she said.
Boebert has attended about 12 Lincoln Dinners in the district, and Tuesday waited through an Eastern Plains snowstorm to attend another dinner in Kit Carson County, following her call in which a campaign opponent attempted to join.
“It is one of my favorite parts of the job, meeting people,” she said. “There is an accountability to meeting with people.”
Boebert was critical of what she termed the “Good Ol’ Boys Club” in regards to the abrupt resignation of Rep. Ken Buck from the 4th District, leaving the Eastern Plains district without representation for months.
“He put us in a tough situation,” she said. “He has let us down time and again.”
She recalled his book, “Drain the Swamp: How Washington Corruption is Worse Than You Think”.
“He wrote my favorite book,” Boebert said. “I’d like to give him a copy.”
She is critical of Buck’s decision to withdraw from his seat in the middle of an election cycle and before the primary election.
“Ultimately, Ken Buck announced his resignation because he knew it would be more effective than his endorsement for his choice,” Boebert said. “This is Ken Buck, Greg Brophy, Cory Gardner and others together. This is the ‘Good Ol’ Boys Club’.”
Boebert has passed eight bills through the House, 69 amendments and has had 85 legislative victories, those on the call were told. She’s a member of the Republican Freedom Caucus in Congress.
“I’m proud to be a member of the Freedom Caucus. We do believe we are the conservative conscious of the Republican Party,” Boebert said. “We have tried to move the party to the right. Unfortunately, what we see with Republican leadership is they tend to start with what they think the moderates and Democrats will accept and then we end up losing more.”
Although she has repeatedly shared the story on the campaign trail, Boebert was again quizzed about her relocation to the 4th District in Windsor.
“This was a family first decision. As a mom, I had to make an executive decision that would be better for my boys,” she said. “There was frustration unfairly taken out on my children. I know, as a mom, I made the right decision.”
The move, she says, will continue to place the 3rd District in Republican control, while she hopes to gain the 4th District seat.
“I’ll stay in the fight and will continue to represent all of Colorado as a whole,” she said. “Windsor has been wonderful and a very welcoming community.”
One person attending the call brought up her seniority in the House, which Boebert said she would retain in the 4th District. On the issue of Gov. Jared Polis, she detailed two times in which she was able to work with the Democrat to solve concerns for those in the 3rd District.
Her campaign schedule will include the visit to Kit Carson, followed Wednesday with a forum in Douglas County, and then traveling to Elbert, Baca and Crowley County this week before attending church on Sunday.
“Easter is my favorite time,” she said. “The power of the resurrection … This is what makes Christianity special.”
She also made an announcement that a few guests may join her on the campaign trail, including a potential appearance by Steve Bannon and the War Room in Parker.
“Just because I moved, I haven’t changed who I am, how I vote or how I fight,” Boebert said. “My conservative voting record follows me. I have opponents with failing Liberty scores. I want to earn your support. I want you to be able to trust me and know me.”
She closed the call to grassroots supporters in another reference to Easter by citing 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”