Lauren Boebert, the Republican Representative of Colorado’s 3rd congressional district, made headlines on Thursday, October 7th, 2021, when she was filmed running up the Capitol steps to make a vote on raising the debt limit.
The debt limit, which is the maximum amount of money the U.S. government can borrow, has been a topic of heated debate in recent months. With the current limit set to expire on October 18th, lawmakers have been grappling with the decision of whether or not to raise the limit, with Democrats arguing that failing to do so could lead to economic disaster.
Boebert’s dramatic entrance on Thursday was captured on camera by fellow Congressman John Yarmuth, who tweeted a video of her sprinting up the steps of the Capitol building. In the video, Boebert can be seen wearing a face mask as she rushes towards the door, pausing only briefly to wave to the camera before disappearing inside.
The video quickly went viral on social media, with many commenting on Boebert’s seemingly over-the-top display. Some criticized her for using the vote to score political points, while others praised her for making a statement and showing her dedication to her job.
Boebert herself responded to the attention on Twitter, writing, “I never run from a fight. Especially when it’s to protect America’s future.”
While Boebert’s actions may have been attention-grabbing, they ultimately did little to affect the outcome of the vote. The House ultimately passed a resolution to raise the debt limit on Friday, with all but one Democrat voting in favor and all Republicans voting against.
However, Boebert’s behavior does raise larger questions about the role of showmanship in politics. Some argue that politicians like Boebert use stunts like this to draw attention to themselves and their positions, rather than engaging in substantive debates on the issues at hand.
Regardless of one’s opinions on Boebert’s tactics, it’s clear that she has made waves in Washington with her latest stunt. Whether or not this will have any lasting impact on her tenure in Congress remains to be seen, but for now, she has certainly grabbed the attention of the public and her colleagues alike.
