Ciao Chaffetz: 8 Things You Love to Hate About Jason In The House
As we celebrate the Congressman’s last day in office, let’s look back at a few of his most memorable moments
Alright, I confess. I’ve been counting down the hours until Jason Chaffetz is no longer my representative in Congress. (Friday, June 30th 10 am in case you were wondering.) As his constituent, I’ll admit we haven’t had the best relationship. It’s been a bit like one of my high school crushes. I think he’s an egotistical ass and he works hard to ignore me.
Personally, I think the pinnacle of our relationship was when I apologized to America for Jason Chaffetz’s very existence. It’s pretty much been downhill since then.
If you haven’t heard, the Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is trading in his seat in Congress for a career in front of the camera. Fox announced he’ll be contributing political analysis on their network beginning July 1st. I can’t say I’m terribly surprised. Jason never met a camera he didn’t love. Case in point.
So in honor of this glorious day, let’s take a little stroll down memory lane and revisit some of Jason’s most infamous moments in the spotlight.
1. The iPhone Debacle
Chaffetz stuck his foot in his mouth (perhaps that’s how it got injured?), big time when he commented that Americans should forgo the expensive iPhone in favor of some healthcare. The internet erupted in anger and unfortunately for Jason, fueled the campaign of his opponent, Dr. Kathie Allen, who managed to raise $350,000 in a matter of days.
2. Hey, Maryland- Want a Piece of DC?
While Chaffetz doesn’t really represent DC in Congress, he’s certainly glad to stick his nose in their affairs. In February, he kindly offered the residential areas of DC to Maryland like some sort of sacrificial lamb. Jason seemed puzzled by their refusal to take the proposal seriously.
3. That Town Hall Though
Congressman Chaffetz got roasted by constituents when he attempted to hold a town hall in the wake of the first months of Trump’s presidency. More than 1,000 angry Utah residents crowded a local high school auditorium, demanding accountability on healthcare and an investigation into Russian collusion. Footage of a smug Chaffetz tossing poorly timed, snarky jokes into the crowd went viral.
4. The Paid Protesters Myth Heard Round the World
You’ve heard the theory. These town halls are peopled by a bunch of Soros paid protesters and not actual constituents. Jason can take some credit for mainstreaming this idea when he commented to local newspapers that his raucous town hall had been filled with out of state liberals. In response, local activists faxed Chaffetz’s offices hundreds of invoices, asking for him to pony up for their unpaid protest bills.
5. Remember This Chart?
Jason Chaffetz presented this misleading chart at a Planned Parenthood hearing, asking Cecile Richards to account for a drastic decrease in cancer screenings and an increase in abortion services. Turns out the sample size and graphic representation of the numbers were just flat wrong. Hopefully, Fox News doesn’t trust Jason with creating his own charts or his prime time political analysis might become fodder for pundits. Again.
6. Can You Look Your Daughter in the Eye Now?
The Utah congressman infamously rescinded his endorsement of Trump after the “grab pussy” comments were exposed to the public. His reason? Chaffetz claimed he could no longer look his 15-year-old daughter in the eye. Wonder how that’s going these days…
7. Scooting In to Take Your Healthcare
After injuring his foot, Jason was required to take time off for surgery. But that didn’t stop him from scooting into internet fame just a few days later. His vote for the ACHA was particularly ironic since Chaffetz’s foot surgery, complicated by an old football injury, would have been a pre-existing condition insurance could have refused to cover under the house bill.
Oh, just one more. These memes are internet gold.
8. Asking for Handouts
Congressman Chaffetz often brags about his frugal Washington lifestyle, claiming he sleeps on a cot in his office and survives on handfuls of almonds like some sort of squirrel. To help those who serve in Congress to survive the poverty and destitution of $175,000 salaries, Chaffetz has proposed a housing stipend. Perhaps the extra dough would help him to afford his estate in Alpine, Utah if that sweet gig with Fox News falls through.
Goodbye, Jason. I’d say it has been fun but that would be fake news and I’m pretty sure you’re gonna be in charge of that from now on.
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