Chaffetz notes disagreements with Hatch, Bennett

Freshman Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, squirmed just a bit at the question: What does he think of longtime Utah GOP Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett?

"They are good people," Chaffetz said after some hesitation. Then he told the Deseret News editorial board, "But on various issues, we just disagree."

As he counted off such disagreements, the list soon included most of the biggest political issues that have arisen since Chaffetz took office in January.

"The stimulus and bailout have been most notable. I differ with them on earmarks," he said. "I disagree with Mr. Hatch on his GIVE Act" that he sponsored with Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., to spend $5.7 billion to boost national service programs.

"The D.C. voting rights bill is another one," Chaffetz said, where the District of Columbia and Utah would be given additional House seats. He contends it is unconstitutional, saying House seats are supposed to go to states, and D.C. is not a state.

All that shows the Republicans in Utah's congressional delegation are no longer in lock step with Chaffetz now aboard. Chaffetz says they still manage to work well together and keep disagreements from becoming personal. But some of his comments may also give ammunition to future opponents to Utah's senators — in or out of the GOP.

For example, Chaffetz may not have exactly helped the senators' future re-election chances when he responded to a question about whether Bennett and Hatch may have been in Washington too long and captured by its culture.

"I think in general, as a sweeping generalization, you should get in, serve and get out," he said. "Congress and the Senate were never intended to be a lifetime appointment. I think it's healthy for the process to have turnover, new energy, new ideas, new perspective." Hatch has served in the Senate for 32 years, and Bennett for 16.

"I'm pleasantly surprised that while seniority matters to some degree, I think I'm a demonstration that you don't have to have been there for a decade to be involved," Chaffetz said.

"I'm a ranking (GOP) member (on a subcommittee) as a freshman. I never thought that could happen, but it can. I'm involved in the whip floor team. I've been engaged in the floor in a very active way. I have three committee assignments," he said, and most freshmen have two.