From Deseret News archives:
Chaffetz thrilled to get taste of new D.C. post
"I'm grinning from ear to ear and am still pinching myself to see if it is real," he said during a break in the weeklong freshman orientation.
"What an honor it is — to get a sense of all the history and the expectations. I am so thrilled to be here," he said.
He said Monday morning that so far the 40 or so new freshmen (exact numbers are still fluctuating because of ongoing recounts) have been sharing their stories and meeting leaders.
Chaffetz was talking about one session "where we learned how to put on masks in case of a hazardous materials outbreak" and what to do in case of chemical attack, and another session explaining how they will receive and be able to distribute tickets to the presidential inauguration.
He said Republican freshmen had dinner in the Capitol Sunday evening with their leader, John Boehner, R-Ohio, and all freshmen were to dine Monday evening with Boehner and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
The week will not only train freshmen on details of how to run their offices and cast votes but will allow them to meet leaders and lobby a bit for committee assignments. Chaffetz has expressed interest in committees ranging from Homeland Security to Foreign Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, Natural Resources, Financial Services and Transportation.
A key part of the week comes on Friday — when freshmen have a chance to select their new offices, based on what is left over after all other members of Congress have chosen first based on seniority. (For example, Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, the most senior House member from Utah, chose a bigger office this week nearer to his committee rooms and the Capitol, and his staff is in the process of moving.)
Freshmen will choose numbers out of a hat, which will determine when they can choose. They will have 20 minutes to select from what is available, so they will have to scout out office suites a bit in advance.
It is especially important to Chaffetz because he hopes literally to live in his office (and shower in the House gym) to save money.
"I even found a cot at the grocery store (in Utah) last week," he said. "I wrapped it up and taped it with duct tape and brought it to Washington with me." He left it with his newly hired chief of staff, and plans to sleep on it in his office.
E-mail: lee@desnews.com
