U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado) made a pointed statement outside the United States Capitol on Thursday, publicly addressing the conduct of her congressional colleagues just days after two members resigned amidst sexual misconduct allegations. Her remarks came during a turbulent week for the House of Representatives, drawing renewed attention to ethical standards within the legislative body.
"Yeah, go to church. Find Jesus. Like, why is everybody so horny here?" — Rep. Lauren Boebert, Republican of Colorado
The Colorado Republican stood before cameras and offered a blunt assessment of the situation, urging her colleagues to "Find Jesus." This statement was delivered shortly after the simultaneous departures of Representative Eric Swalwell (D-California) and Representative Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), both of whom formally left office on Tuesday, following their resignation announcements on Monday.
Representative Swalwell's resignation came under increasing pressure due to multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. A former staff member notably accused him of initiating intimate physical contact when she was allegedly unable to consent. Concurrently, Representative Gonzales had been under institutional scrutiny for weeks, with the House Ethics Committee launching a formal investigation into him in March. This investigation reportedly examined two separate sets of allegations: one concerning sexual misconduct involving a staffer in his congressional office, and another regarding accusations that he improperly granted preferential treatment to certain individuals operating from that same office. Both investigations remained unresolved at the time of his departure. The dual resignations from members of opposing parties over misconduct-related circumstances are a rare occurrence, intensifying focus on the behavior expected of elected officials.
Following her call for colleagues to "Find Jesus," Representative Boebert posed a direct question to the press, stating, "Yeah, go to church. Find Jesus. Like, why is everybody so horny here?" She then turned and walked away without further comment, leaving her statement to resonate within the political sphere.
This public critique of congressional behavior arrived with its own historical context for Representative Boebert. In September 2023, she was involved in a public controversy when surveillance footage from a Denver theater showed her and her then-boyfriend, Quinn Gallagher, in what was described as a mutual groping incident during a live performance. Reports from TMZ, which first published the footage, indicated Gallagher allegedly groped Boebert's breasts while Boebert allegedly did the same to his groin. In the aftermath, Boebert publicly distanced herself from the situation and Gallagher. She told TMZ at the time, "It’s always hard whenever there’s gravity put on the voters. I’m here to provide levity and lift burdens off of people, so anytime they’re carrying mine, it’s something that I kind of feel deep inside," confirming the end of her relationship with Gallagher. The incident led to public commentary regarding her suitability to comment on others' conduct.
The simultaneous resignations and Representative Boebert's subsequent remarks underscore a persistent challenge within the U.S. Congress regarding ethical conduct and accountability. These events have reignited conversations about the standards of behavior expected from public servants and the processes in place to address allegations of misconduct. The focus on personal conduct, particularly sexual misconduct, from both sides of the aisle, highlights a bipartisan concern over maintaining the integrity of the institution. The week's events serve as a renewed call for transparency and accountability in the nation's legislative body, prompting ongoing discussions about how Congress can best uphold public trust and ensure a respectful environment for all its members and staff.
