Bruce angers lawmakers, refuses support for resolutions

DENVER — Rep. Douglas Bruce angered fellow lawmakers on Wednesday when he refused to support a resolution backing veterans and balked at voting on a resolution to provide health care for children.

Bruce, a Colorado Springs Republican, told his colleagues in the House he believes resolutions are a waste of time because they have no legal impact.

He refused to sign on as a co-sponsor of the veterans resolution and then refused to vote on the health-care resolution.

The House then voted 51-13 to force him to vote on the health-care resolution.

He responded by voting against the resolution and shouting "Are you happy?" to his colleagues.

Including Bruce's "no" vote, the health-care resolution passed 61-3.

The earlier vote on the veterans resolution was unrecorded.

Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, said he got upset when Bruce refused to support a resolution backing veterans after members of the military packed the House chambers for the annual Military and Veterans Appreciation Day at the Capitol.

"I'm so angry I can't even talk right now," Balmer said.

Last month, Bruce became the first lawmaker in Colorado history to be censured by the House when he kicked a Rocky Mountain News photographer for taking his picture during a morning prayer. Bruce refused to apologize.