Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., said on Monday he is boycotting President Obama’s State of the Union address.
In a tersely worded statement released by his office, Lamborn said he decided instead “to pass” on attending the speech on Tuesday night, though he will watch it on television and participate in a live chat hosted by Heritage Action for America.
“Congressman Lamborn does not support the policies of Barack Obama,” the statement said.
A spokeswoman said Lamborn was about to board a flight and was not immediately available to elaborate. But his office has already prepared a further explanation for constituents if they want to know more about his decision.
That explanation states that Lamborn, who was first elected to represent Colorado’s 5th Congressional District in 2006, has never skipped a State of the Union before. But it said he believes this year “the president is in full campaign mode and will use the address as an opportunity to bash his political opponents.”
It also said that, as far as Lamborn knows, he is the only House Republican deciding to do this and that he did not make the decision in cooperation with any House GOP colleagues.
Lamborn serves as chairman of the Committee on Energy and Mineral Resources of the House Committee on Natural Resources, and is on the House Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs committees.
Here is Lamborn’s explanation to his constituents in its entirety:
“This is the first SOTU speech Lamborn has passed on
Congressman Lamborn has attended all the past SOTU addresses. As for what makes this year’s speech different, Congressman Lamborn but believes the President is in full campaign mode and will use the address as an opportunity to bash his political opponents.
As far as he knows, he is the only Republican who will pass on attending SOTU. He is doing this on his own and is not trying to coordinate this with any other Members. Congressman Lamborn is doing this to send a clear message that he does not support the policies of Barack Obama, that they have hurt our country.
Congressman Lamborn respects the President personally, and the office of the President.
Congressman Lamborn is protesting Obama’s recent 'recess appointments' to the National Labor Relation’s Board and newly-created Consumer Protection Board. He is protesting Obama’s decision to reject the job-creating Keystone Pipeline. He is protesting the President’s draconian cuts to defense.
Lamborn wants to send a strong, clear message that President Obama’s deficit spending cannot continue.
Congressman Lamborn plans to watch the speech on television.”
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