Earlier last month, Rep. Lauren Boebert voted against a must-pass government funding plan that included over $20 million for the Colorado district she is now leaving.
On Monday night, she hailed the approaching arrival of the funds.
“Can’t wait for the ribbon cuttings and to see these priorities come to fruition,” the representative said in a statement, naming ten various projects in the state’s 3rd congressional district that will benefit from an inflow of federal funds.
This includes $5 million for a water reservoir near Wolf Creek, millions for highway repairs and upgrades in western Colorado, and a number of other projects.
Boebert was one of 40 House Republicans who voted against the so-called “minibus” bill on March 6, despite having secured federal funding for their districts.
The representative claimed at the time that the plan, a compromise deal negotiated by Democrats and Republicans, was a “monstrosity” that “funds the Green New Deal.”
Boebert’s office did not immediately respond to Business Insider’s request for comment on Monday evening.
It’s a variation of what critics, most notably former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, call “vote no take the dough.” It’s been more prevalent in recent years, with Republicans applauding the influx of federal funds into their states despite opposing the passage of the legislation that fueled it.
Boebert did, in fact, acquire congressionally directed funds — known colloquially as “earmarks” — in collaboration with local stakeholders.
Many Republicans have always opposed earmarks, claiming that they promote corruption and increase government spending. House Republicans put a 10-year embargo on the practice, which Democrats lifted in 2021.
Historically, it has been viewed as a means of improving government operations by incentivizing individual lawmakers to enact government spending legislation.
Boebert opposed earmark spending during her first term but reversed her position last year.
Even though the congressman says she looks forward to future ribbon-cutting celebrations, she may be out of office by then — after all, projects take time to complete.
Boebert is facing a tough GOP primary fight in the district she recently moved to, where she has been accused of “carpetbagging.” That has only been compounded by Rep. Ken Buck’s decision to retire this month, which will result in a special election on June 25, the same day as the Republican primary.
The congressman has stated that she will not seek to be the nominee in that election because it would result in another special election in her present district.
That means that in the coming month, local Republicans might choose one of her existing challengers, giving them an advantage in the primary scheduled for the same day.
Even if the local party chooses someone who isn’t currently running, as she has stated, people may be concerned with her apparent dual stance on government expenditure.