Republican Representative Lauren Boebert received a brutal reminder from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg after she tried to take credit for infrastructure funding that led to building the South Bridge in her Colorado district.
Boebert posted on X, formerly Twitter, about a "Great meeting with Glenwood Springs City Councilor and former Mayor Jonathan Godes."
She wrote:
'We have secured over $51.4 million for the South Bridge. Was thrilled to hear about nearly $30 million in costs savings in addition and that my support has helped make this project a reality."
However, a Community Note under Boebert's post notes the following:
"Boebert hasn’t secured 51.4 million dollars for this bridge. The money came from a Biden-Harris grant that is part of the “Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program”, which itself is a part of the 'Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act' which Boebert voted against.
You can see her post below.
Great meeting with Glenwood Springs City Councilor and former Mayor Jonathan Godes.
We have secured over $51.4 million for the South Bridge.
Was thrilled to hear about nearly $30 million in costs savings in addition and that my support has helped make this project a reality. pic.twitter.com/geWDMPb9YX
— Rep. Lauren Boebert (@RepBoebert) May 22, 2024
And that's when Buttigieg swept in to correct her:
"Congresswoman, in what way do you believe that your support helped this project? We chose it because it's a good project, and funded it using President Biden's infrastructure package, which you voted against."
You can see his post below.
Congresswoman, in what way do you believe that your support helped this project? We chose it because it's a good project, and funded it using President Biden's infrastructure package, which you voted against. https://t.co/qfiRbp4KTe
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) May 22, 2024
Boebert was swiftly criticized.
YOU didn’t do a damn thing but vote NO against the bill the did give the funding for the bridge.
You voted against the Infrastructure Act. Take credit for that.
— Dittie (@DittiePE) May 22, 2024
You are a liar!!!! You voted against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and other legislation that the Administration has put forth to support America's infrastructure.
— Maile (@MailePRMedia) May 22, 2024
You love to take credit for everything you vote against for your constituents. Beetlejuice Boebert, you're a real piece of work.
— Let it Ride 🇺🇦🇮🇱🇳🇴 (@kathrynresists) May 22, 2024
You forgot to add, “I voted against it.”
— 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢 (@ChidiNwatu) May 22, 2024
The funds you voted against and are taking credit for like the useless rep you are? Wake up CD4. She's useless.
— 🇺🇸Colorado John🇺🇦🟧 (@ColoFightsBack) May 22, 2024
You voted against this. It’s in the Congressional Record.
— RandomWhiteGuy📖 Heretic & Disheveled Misfit (@TheReelRandom) May 23, 2024
Boebert is one of Buttigieg's most prominent GOP critics and has repeatedly suggested that he is incompetent in his capacity as Transportation Secretary.
Buttigieg's decision to take paternity leave has long served as the basis for homophobic and sexist smears, particularly from Boebert, who accused him of using the birth of his children as an excuse not to address the COVID-19-related supply chain crisis.
Last year, Boebert was criticized by a prominent group of United States military veterans after she tried to blame "clueless liberals" like Buttigieg for the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) decision to ground thousands of flights across the country after a system that offers safety information to pilots failed.
VoteVets, a political action committee (PAC) and 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that promotes progressive solutions to issues like housing, hunger and healthcare and is dedicated to electing veterans to public office, shut Boebert down, pointing out Buttigieg "is a Rhodes Scholar, Harvard and Oxford alum, and served in Afghanistan for the U.S. Navy as an intelligence officer."