Posted on 01/09/2009 1:48:40 PM PST by Pyro7480
In a time of economic turmoil, most Americans are being frugal with their money, but one freshman congressman is taking cost-cutting to a new level.
Newly elected Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, opted out of renting an apartment in Washington, instead deciding on a cot in his office every night.
"I will save $1,500 a month doing this," Chaffetz said. "I get paid a very handsome salary, no doubt about it, but you know, I've got expenses and a future for my kids and my family, too."
In a stroke of luck, Chaffetz was one of the few freshmen members of Congress to have the chance at an office with a window when he drew number six out of 55 in the office lottery.
His office in the Longworth House Building comes with a half-bathroom, a closet that fits a cot, and what he calls his "breakfast nook" where he stores Fig Newtons, granola bars and mixed nuts.
The building also has a gym with a shower room, where Chaffetz starts his day about 5:45 each morning....
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Unlike other representatives who feel entitled to government issues Mercedes.
He is from Utah. It is likely to be genuine. I recall another story with the same subject quite a few years ago.
$1500 a month is substantial to an honest congressman, and it sounds as if he knows that this may not be a lifetime job.
When now-South Carolina Gov Mark Sanford was elected to Congress back in ‘94, he did the same thing.
He said he wanted to save money AND not have to move his family to DC.
Probably not a publicity stunt. But his accomodations are not the most comfortable or peaceful - especially when the cleaning crews come in later in the evening.
I think congress-folks ought to live in dorms. And not the lavish athletic dorm, just your basic run-of-the-mill dormitory. And only for their limited terms. 1 term for the Senate, 3 terms for the House.
“I think congress-folks ought to live in dorms. And not the lavish athletic dorm, just your basic run-of-the-mill dormitory. And only for their limited terms. 1 term for the Senate, 3 terms for the House.”
SOME PLACE LIKE BANCROFT HALL, IN MY OPINION...
That would be the entire congress.
It’s got to be illegal. Is it zoned for human habitation?
How can Chaffetz even sleep at night? LOL..
Makes a good point there...
I’d say genuine. The fact is DC areas that are habitable for those not on welfare are expensive as hell.
House Reps make around 160k or so per year as I recall.
18K for a studio apartment, then the House Reps mortgage for his ‘home’....THEN all the family and life related costs, many doubled because the House rep is in DC, the family is back in the home district...its probably genuine for a freshman congresscritter.
They haven’t had the time to learn how to ‘play the game’ in short.
Thats the problem in my view. The job has perks, the job is important, but we don’t pay enough, and we demand saints in return. Then when the congresscritter falls short, we go nuts on them.
Catch 22 of our own making. JMHO. I know I’d love to run for the House. I also know my wife would kill me because of the pay cut, and all the added expenses of maintaining two homes.
When Newt Gingrich’ freshmen congressmen went to Washington they were belittled for doing just what he does.
More power to him, and I do not know him.
de Texas Fossil
No stunt to me....
This is the same man who defeated Chris Cannon, a pro-illegal/anti-American GOP incumbent, in the primary.
Chaffetz was outspent 7 to 1 by Cannon...and Chaffetz did not have the support of the GOP establishment and the Anti-America Collective of Communists...er US Chamber of Commerce.
Anyone who can win a campaign by underspending a pro-illegal candidate is alright by me
Probably a stunt, to a large extent. He could rent a room in a house on Capitol Hill for less than $1000/month. A lot of Congressmen who are less than wealthy go in together and rent a house to share.
DC's zoning laws do not apply to the Capitol.
I have a suggestion. Whey don’t we get congressmen to telecommute?
I suggested this almost 10 years ago, to some of my Okie friends.
It would remove our congressment from the Lobbyist in DC and make them more likely to support their constituents. Now that is a novel idea. Technology today can make that happen, there are encription methods to make their voting secure.
Think what that would do to the center of power in the U.S.
If they wanted to play in the cesspool called DC once a Quarter for a few days that would be OK.
Any takers??
This is the guy who knocked out the illegal alien loving Chris Cannon in the primary. He’s a good, solid guy with real leadership potential. A friend of mine went to school with him. Utah is lucky to have such a representative.
Sounds like the real deal to me......how refreshing!
A true fiscal conservative!
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