Why LDS Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz Sleeps On A Cot In His Office In Washington D.C.

In 2008, upstart Jason Chaffetz did what no other candidate for Utah's Third Congressional District seat could do - take down incumbent Chris Cannon in a Republican primary. Constituents were wowed by his articulate, positive, and energetic approach. In addition, Utah's Third District is one of the "reddest" in the nation, and Rep. Chaffetz is an unapologetic and unreconstructed conservative.

But he's also one of the most accessible members of Congress. He answers his own phone much of the time. And Max Roth, a reporter for KSTU Channel 13 in Salt Lake, dropped by Chaffetz' office recently to find out more about this man who actually sleeps in his office to save $1,500 per month. He showers at the Congressional gym in the basement, paying $240 per year for that privilege. Here's KSTU's video report:

 

Rep. Chaffetz is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He began investigating the Church while in high school, but was not baptized until his senior year at Brigham Young University, where he played football and converted 89 of 94 point-after attempts and hit 16 of 25 field goals from 1988-89. He is now one of 14 LDS members in Congress; his official U.S. House website is HERE, and his campaign website is HERE. You can read a more complete profile on his life in this Provo Daily Herald article dated June 14th, 2008.