Jason Chaffetz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jason Chaffetz
Official portrait, 2016
Chair of the House Oversight Committee
In office January 3, 2015 – June 13, 2017
Preceded by	Darrell Issa
Succeeded by	Trey Gowdy
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Utah's 3rd district
In office January 3, 2009 – June 30, 2017
Preceded by	Chris Cannon
Succeeded by	John Curtis
Personal details
Born	(1967-03-26) March 26, 1967 (age 58) Los Gatos, California, U.S.
Political party	Democratic (before 1990) Republican (1990–present)
Spouse	Julie Johnson ​ (m. 1991)​
Children	3
Relatives	John Dukakis (half-brother)
Education	Brigham Young University (BA)
Signature

Jason E. Chaffetz (born March 26, 1967) is an American former politician. He served as a U.S. representative for Utah's 3rd district from 2009 until he resigned in 2017. He also led the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform from 2015 to 2017.

Chaffetz became well-known in 2015 for his investigations into Hillary Clinton. He first said he would not support Donald Trump in October 2016. But three weeks later, he decided to vote for him. After investigating Clinton and the Obama administration, Chaffetz faced criticism. This was because he seemed less interested in looking into possible issues with President Trump after the 2016 election.

He left his job in 2017, partway through his fifth term in Congress. Since then, he has worked as a commentator, a writer, and a contributor for Fox News. In 2021, Chaffetz joined the Government Accountability Institute.

Early Life and Education

Jason Chaffetz was born in Los Gatos, California. He grew up in California, Arizona, and Colorado. His father, John A. Chaffetz, was a businessman. His mother, Margaret "Peggy" A. Wood, later joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She also ran a photography business.

Chaffetz's father was Jewish. His grandfather, Maxwell Chaffetz, was an FBI Special Agent. Jason Chaffetz's half-brother, John Dukakis, was adopted by Michael Dukakis. Michael Dukakis later became the Governor of Massachusetts. When Chaffetz was in college, he helped with Michael Dukakis's 1988 presidential campaign in Utah. Chaffetz is still close with his half-brother and the Dukakis family.

Chaffetz went to high school in California and Colorado. He then went to Brigham Young University on a sports scholarship. He was the starting placekicker for the Brigham Young University football team in 1988 and 1989. He still holds some school records for extra points in football games. In 1989, he earned a degree in communications.

Chaffetz was raised Jewish but joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during college. In 1991, he married Julie Johnson. After college, he worked in public relations for about ten years at a company called Nu Skin.

Early Political Career

Chaffetz became a Republican after meeting Ronald Reagan in 1990. Reagan visited Nu Skin, where Chaffetz worked, as a speaker. Chaffetz's political views had already been changing before this meeting.

In 2004, Chaffetz managed the campaign for Utah's governor, Jon Huntsman. Huntsman won, and Chaffetz became his chief of staff in 2005. In 2005, Chaffetz started his own company, Maxtera Utah Inc., which focused on communications and marketing. He also served as a trustee for Utah Valley University.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2008 Election

In 2007, Jason Chaffetz announced he would run for Congress against the current representative, Chris Cannon. Chaffetz ran as a more conservative candidate than Cannon. He promised to focus on fiscal discipline, limited government, and accountability.

At the Republican convention in May 2008, Chaffetz won 59% of the delegates. This meant he would face Cannon in a primary election. On June 24, 2008, Chaffetz defeated Cannon with 60% of the vote. This was seen as a big surprise because Cannon had a lot of support from important Republican leaders.

In the general election, Chaffetz faced Democrat Bennion Spencer. Chaffetz won with 66% of the vote. He had already mostly secured his seat by winning the Republican nomination. This is because his district is very Republican.

When he started his term in 2009, Chaffetz announced he would sleep on a cot in his office. He did this instead of renting an apartment in Washington, D.C.. He said he wanted to save money for his family and show that Congress should also be careful with spending.

2010 Election

Chaffetz won his second term in 2010. He received 72% of the vote, defeating Democratic candidate Karen Hyer.

2012 Election

In 2012, Chaffetz worked for the Mitt Romney presidential campaign. He followed rival candidate Newt Gingrich to respond to reporters.

Chaffetz won his third term in 2012 with 76% of the vote. He defeated Democratic candidate Soren Simonsen. This election was not very competitive, and Chaffetz was expected to win easily.

2014 Election

Chaffetz won his fourth term in 2014. He received about 72% of the vote, defeating Democratic candidate Brian Wonnacott. He was again heavily favored to win.

2016 Election

In 2016, Chaffetz won his fifth term. He defeated Democratic candidate Stephen Tryon with about 74% of the vote.

Committee Assignments

• Committee on the Judiciary
  • Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet
  • Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security
• Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (chairman)
  • Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and Labor Policy
  • Subcommittee on National Security, Homeland Defense and Foreign Operations (chairman)
  • Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and Procurement Reform

Caucus Memberships

• House Baltic Caucus
• Congressional Arts Caucus
• Congressional Constitution Caucus

Leading the House Oversight Committee

In November 2014, Chaffetz became the chairman of the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. He was one of only a few members to become a full chairman after serving just three terms. He promised to focus on making government better.

Town Hall Protests in 2017

In February 2017, Chaffetz faced protests at a meeting with his constituents. People asked him tough questions about his political views and whether he would hold President Trump accountable. Chaffetz later said the protesters were paid, but he had no proof. This made many attendees angry.

2017 Resignation

On April 19, 2017, Chaffetz suddenly announced he would not run for reelection or any other office in 2018. He also hinted he might not finish his current term. He took a three-week break for foot surgery. Chaffetz officially resigned from the House on June 30, 2017. This was six months into his two-year term. His resignation led to a special election in Utah, which was won by John Curtis.

Government Accountability Institute

In 2021, Chaffetz joined the Government Accountability Institute. This is a conservative research group that aims to expose problems in government. The group was started by Peter Schweizer and former Trump advisor Steve Bannon.

After Congress

After leaving Congress, Chaffetz became a commentator and author. On July 1, 2017, he became a contributor to Fox News. He regularly appears as a guest or host on various shows, including Fox & Friends and America's Newsroom.

He also wrote several books. His first book, The Deep State, was published in September 2018 and became a New York Times bestseller. In September 2019, he released Power Grab. In 2021, his third book, They Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste, came out. He also started a podcast called Jason in the House.

Political Views

Healthcare

Chaffetz has often voted to cancel the Affordable Care Act. In March 2017, he made a comment comparing the cost of healthcare to buying an iPhone. He said people should invest in their healthcare instead of buying a new iPhone. He later changed his statement after facing criticism.

Budget and Taxes

Chaffetz said that attempts to add an inheritance tax on large amounts of money were "immoral."

Washington, D.C. Laws

In 2017, Chaffetz wanted Congress to overturn a law in Washington, D.C., that allowed very sick people to end their lives. Local groups and leaders in D.C. felt this was an attack on their right to make their own laws. In 2009, Chaffetz also tried to overturn D.C.'s law allowing same-sex marriage, but he was not successful.

Energy and Environment

Chaffetz supports using many different types of energy. He does not agree with the idea that global warming is caused by humans. In 2008, he called global warming a "farce." He has voted for laws that would stop the Environmental Protection Agency from controlling gases that affect the climate.

Chaffetz also believes that millions of acres of public land should be sold. In January 2017, he introduced a bill to transfer 3.3 million acres of public land in Western states to state ownership. He said the land was not useful for taxpayers. However, he withdrew the bill after many people protested.

Chaffetz has opposed protecting the Greater sage-grouse, a bird whose population has greatly decreased.

Net Neutrality

Chaffetz is against net neutrality. This is the idea that internet companies should treat all internet content equally. In 2015, he held hearings to see if the Obama administration had secretly influenced the government to adopt net neutrality rules.