Lauren Boebert fed up with GOP colleague's mystery absence

Republicans are beginning to lose patience with the unexplained absence of Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) — and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) vented her own frustrations on Wednesday in conversation with a TMZ reporter.

"We're supposed to be the party campaigning against working in the basement," Boebert said.

Kean, who has been serving since 2023, has been out for over two months due to unspecified medical issues. Republican leaders have been kept in the dark about where he is, what he is recovering from, and his time frame for return.

In recent days, despite still being absent, Kean has started filing legislation, and this week he offered slightly more information, albeit still vague, about his next steps.

"Right now, I am focused on my recovery and under the advice of healthcare professionals, I will transition from virtual work to in-person work in a matter of weeks," said Kean, in a statement originally reported by Punchbowl News. "At that time, I will be completely transparent as to the nature of my medical condition."

Kean won the nomination for another term unopposed, but sits in a competitive district. This week, Democrats nominated Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, to challenge him in November.