Freshman congressman plans to sleep in his DC office to save on rent.
By on Jan 7th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Freshman congressman plans to sleep in his DC office to save on rent.
In an effort to save money, freshman Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) is planning to live in his Capitol Hill office, rather than rent an apartment in Washington, DC. “I’m trying to live the example that it doesn’t take big dollars in order to get where we want to go,” Chaffetz said. “I can save my family $1,500 a month by sleeping on a cot in my office as opposed to getting a fancy place that’s maybe a little bit more comfortable.” ABC News reports that at least 40 members of Congress regularly sleep in their congressional offices.
Featured Comment: JimboSlice says:
BTW: “WASHINGTON — Utah’s 3rd Congressional District Republican candidate Jason Chaffetz has a net worth of up to $5.6 million, slightly less than incumbent Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, whom he defeated Tuesday. ” http://www.newser.com/ archive-politics-news/ 1P2-16780935/ chaffetzs-net-worth-up-to-56m.html
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48 Responses to “Freshman congressman plans to sleep in his DC office to save on rent.”
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Gotta hand it to Rep. Chaffetz. He takes "fiscal conservatism" to new levels
January 7th, 2009 at 8:02 pmGood for him.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:06 pmGee, this could be a nationally-adopted plan to cure homelessness. Too bad unemployment is so high.
So, I'm curious. Does this mean that We the People pick up the tab for his utilities? I'm just guessing here, but the costs associated with living in one's office would seem to be higher than, you know, turning off the lights and going home to shower. Let alone use the phone. Will he have cable installed?
I think we should charge him rent, something along the lines of a D.C. studio, plus utilities.
PEACE
January 7th, 2009 at 8:08 pmDoes he think, we do not need to spend big money in Iraq or is he another RepubliCon stooge.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:09 pmThe question I have: is this privilege available for all other Federal Employees? If not then this is another example of congressmen thinking they are better than the rest of us and above the rules. Another privileged for another spoiled congressmen.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:10 pmBTW:
"WASHINGTON -- Utah's 3rd Congressional District Republican candidate Jason Chaffetz has a net worth of up to $5.6 million, slightly less than incumbent Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, whom he defeated Tuesday. "
http://www.newser.com/archive-politics-news/1P2-16780935/chaffetzs-net-worth-up-to-56m.html
I think this guy could afford that $1,500/month
January 7th, 2009 at 8:11 pmDoes that mean Jason will decline the big bucks it takes a lobbyist to send him to a Caribbean resort? No matter where he sleeps he will end up with fleas.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:15 pmwhat he doesn't mention is his doing a five million dollar renovation on his office thanks to the generous contributions of major corporation. he is a repukelican you know, there's a catch behind all this kabuki play
January 7th, 2009 at 8:15 pmSmart man. Leading by example.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:18 pmCan we say "stunt"? It doesn't save taxpayers any money to have this clown sleeping in his office. But it does deprive the economy of the money he would have spent on rent and utilities, especially since he can afford a big contribution. If he really wanted to save us money, he'd be working for nothing, not accepting the salary and perks and free healthcare that comes with the Rep's job. Just another scam.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:22 pmit will be interesting if he votes "nay" when it comes time to give himself a big, fat raise.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:22 pmIt's not like he's saving the government money by doing this, just himself. But at least he won't be late for work.
JimboSlice Says:
The question I have: is this privilege available for all other Federal Employees?
The thing to keep track of is that Congress is a separate branch of government. Comparing Congressmen to Executive branch employees doesn't really work. They can do pretty much anything that isn't proscribed by law - and guess who writes the laws...?
January 7th, 2009 at 8:23 pmGet one of those air-beds - much more comfortable than a cot
January 7th, 2009 at 8:26 pmdefinitely a stunt, definitely taking advantage of a situation, definitely inequitable, but you know what?? congress is full of f's like him!
January 7th, 2009 at 8:27 pmAnd it will make it harder for the FBI to arrest him when that inevitable day arrives.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:29 pmI don't mind him sleeping in his office - I can understand the strain of maintaining two residences if you're not independently wealthy. In fact, I wish no congressperson or senator to be independently wealthy, so as to pick up the perspectives of everyday folks.
But keep in mind Jason the Republican, I don't find your stunt heroic. At least you have a permanent residence back home. I can't get over the sight (and neither should I) of seeing two homeless people while passing traffic, one camped out with a sign reading, "HOMELESS, God Bless."
January 7th, 2009 at 8:56 pmSounds like a cheapskate to me. Maybe he should have thought about the financial difficulties his job places on his family before he ran for office. I can only imagine if the local postal worker tried to pull the same stunt.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:05 pmShowing by example. Smart move as in saving cost and showing there are smart honest Republicans that need to be noticed.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:08 pmMaybe he can wangle Dirk Kempthorne's extra set of washroom keys...
January 7th, 2009 at 9:24 pmI'll bet the cleaning staff just loves the prospect of another carpetbagging congresscritter camping out in the office.
ABC News reports that at least 40 members of Congress regularly sleep in their congressional offices.
And a fair amount of late-night "collegue consultations."
Like a tax-funded frat house.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:31 pmABC News reports that at least 40 members of Congress regularly sleep in their congressional offices.
= "This isn't a big deal, and Jason Chaffetz isn't some kind of budgetary hero."
Neither is he a villian because of this. It's a reasonable idea. Congressmen fly back and forth to their home states a lot, as they have to get themselves re-elected every two years. In a lot of districts you can easily be campaigned against as "out of touch" if you don't put in regular appearances, by someone who out-folksy's you.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:36 pmBozo The Neoclown Says:
it will be interesting if he votes “nay” when it comes time to give himself a big, fat raise.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Unfortunately, that won't happen. They don't vote for pay raises anymore. They are automatic. Unconstitutional, but automatic.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:47 pmABC News reports that at least 40 members of Congress regularly sleep in their congressional offices.
Do any of them sleep naked?
January 7th, 2009 at 9:48 pmI slept on the ground in my office -- Iraq -- for weeks before I got a cot. Then I slept on cot in my office -- Iraq -- for a year. So bully for this guy. He can shower in the Cap gym.
On the other hand, I bet it doesn't last -- when his staff comes in in the morning, the place is going to smell like, well, "morning." You know that smell -- that musty sleepy bad-breath farting all night smell.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:49 pm"Do any of them sleep naked?"
Why do they not get it. This whole Rapture shit ain't happening. Not today, not tomorrow. Not ever...
January 7th, 2009 at 10:01 pmdbadass,
I was just concerned about cleaning staff and such accidentally walking in on them just as they are getting into "bed".
January 7th, 2009 at 10:03 pmHe is a cheap skate.maybe he can refuse the 4grand raise congress is going to give itself later this month.The flap about Burris is to distract us from their annual pay raise.Anyone really think congress derseves a raise after being part of the group that have helped to ruin our country.No conscience & shameless to boot that's most of our congress people.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:39 pmI think it more relevant if senators like him or any other, to vote to protect the Constitution of the USA. Because of their vote at the moment it is like a piece of surrealist art. No matter where the senator choses to sleep.
Please TP, give us more than that!
January 7th, 2009 at 11:00 pmThis feels a bit unseemly. I don't think the United States Capitol building and associated offices should be used as a flophouse. Sleeping in your office on occasion because of a filibuster is one thing, but actually planning to shack down in your office is beneath the dignity of the House. If he wants to save money, I would think he could at least share an apartment with another Representative.
January 7th, 2009 at 11:12 pmSenator Russ Feingold (D-WI) did this years ago. And his career has followed that lead.
January 7th, 2009 at 11:59 pmWhy doesn't he just get an apartment with some other Representatives? I'm sure they'd let him sleep on the cot. He has no means of cooking for himself, so he's eating out for every meal -- that's not saving any money.
I feel sorry for his office staff, having to work in a place that smells like his old funk.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:03 amHow much does Ramen cost?
January 8th, 2009 at 12:10 amGross...
January 8th, 2009 at 12:15 amActually I would have done the same thing for my family.
A Repuke making personal sacrafice for family? Go Figure.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:15 amSomewhere, hundreds of D.C. hookers are thinking "what's the big deal, I sleep in Congressional offices all the time."
January 8th, 2009 at 12:22 amThe problem with being rich is staying rich after your peak income drops significantly. I give the guy a A- for creativity, if it insures him and his families future will be steady.
Then again, if the guy turns out to be another Utah political snow blower, I hope he is blessed with a harem of stretch-marked wanker wives.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:38 amMore fiscal hypocrisy from the Reich,unphuckingbelievable!!!!
January 8th, 2009 at 12:52 amI think American taxpayers should charge the freshman congressman rent to sleep in an office provide for the peoples work.
This goes for the others of congress that are sleeping in the peoples office. There free loading. They don't have to go out and get any luxury apartment. They can get some low rent one room place or a studio apartment.
Getting their own place to sleep is part of their wages!
Either take pay away and have them all sleep in their offices or charge the ones that sleep there rent...!
January 8th, 2009 at 1:12 amI'm with Robt. Charge them rent. The cleaning staff will have to do extra work making his bed and putting his clothes away etc...
When the Constitutional Congress met in Phila. in 1787, they had to find room and board outside of the State House and they had to find the money to pay for this room and board.
Chaffetz is just another greedy millionaire. Let's see how he votes when Obama asks for tax breaks for people making less than $200,000.00/year. That will show his true colors.
January 8th, 2009 at 8:43 amthere are "smart honest Republicans" that need to be noticed.
That's right up there with "Jumbo shrimp" and "Speeding Volkswagen".
January 8th, 2009 at 9:45 amGood for him and the other 40 members of congress who do this. I hope they will all be as concerned with expenses when they do next years budget.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:28 amAs Fred G. Sanford would say, I wonder if his colleagues remind him to change his drawers.
January 8th, 2009 at 2:26 pmtony and lido
Fancy place? Ha! $1500/month will get you a basement in Capitol Hill.Fancy. Sheesh.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:43 pmPersonally, I think all members of Congress should be housed in barracks and constantly monitored and under constant surveillance, but that's just me.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:44 pmI applaud his decision. Why do I think that he won't live there very long, and, sooner or later, we'll still be screwed by this guy
January 8th, 2009 at 4:44 pmI'm with Alejandro.
January 9th, 2009 at 7:01 amThe congressman makes a good point about fiscal responsibility, however, his "sacrifice" is a luxury within itself. How many Americans are allowed to sleep in their offices? Rather, how many Americans have offices-or offices large enough to have closets in which they can sleep? Furthermore, with the jobless rate so high, there are fewer Americans with jobs at all that can double for homes. I think this is a bit of a publicity stunt, frankly.
January 9th, 2009 at 9:40 amI didn't realize he was a millionaire until reading the above posts. I think this is plain weird.
January 9th, 2009 at 9:46 am