Jenkins downplays comments about Boehner

A spokesman for Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Topeka, tried to downplay comments she made in Wichita last week. When asked about the chance of getting House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, to allow a floor vote on the Fair Tax, Jenkins replied: “We don’t really care what House leadership thinks anymore.” Jenkins also said: “I don’t work for John Boehner; he works for me.” That was odd, given that Jenkins is part of the House Republican leadership and Boehner appeared at a Topeka fundraiser for her the day before the Wichita forum. Her spokesman told the Hill newspaper that the comments were taken out of context and that Jenkins was trying to say that Fair Tax supporters should focus on the vote total, not what Boehner and other House leaders collectively think. But the full context of her comments, which were recorded by Eagle reporter Dion Lefler, reflected a disregard for House leadership that was cheered by the Wichita audience. – Phillip Brownlee

This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 2:17 PM.