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typical republican. cheap ploy and a waste of news space. he should pay for his housing and utilities to help the economy instead of taking welfare off of us taxpayers. the capitol is your place of business....NOT your free room and board!! get out and go rent a motel or something and quit wasting taxpayer dollars!

Read this. This could be us....not so much!

He must be young

We need to build residential quarters for congressmen and women like the president or give them vouchers to find a place. Congressmen in developing countries lives better than here. It is appalling to hear something like this.

Uhmm... "The current salary (2008) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $169,300 per year."

This guy can't survive on more than three times the national average salary ($50k)? How do the Republicans expect people to survive on minimum wage, which is less than one tenth what the congressman makes? Reality check please.

this just goes to show how rediculous the housing industry has gotten, no wonder we are in such a mess.

"Low-end spaces in D.C. run about $1,400 per month." Hey, he could always bunk in with Norm Coleman, who got a sweetheart deal of about $600/month for his DC apartment space ...... of course, that brought about those pesky ethics problems and a lawsuit or two, so maybe sleeping in his office is a MUCH better plan!

That's awesome!

So, don't they get some type of stipend to help with housing? What's he plan on doing with it? Maybe he could donate it to a worthy cause in Utah.

As someone who worked on the Hill for years, I can tell you this is a very common occurrence. I had two bosses who did it. I guess the election season news hangover has started.

Hey good for him! Maybe he'll be reminded daily of the harsh realities facing many of his constituents.

Dear Friends- Just watch howquickly he moves onto the "gravey Train"

Good for him.

If he wasn't afraid of contaminating his family by bringing them to the DC area, he could afford to sell his home in Utah and move to MD of VA....of course, he would not have a home in Utah so couldn't represent the state! Maybe Congress should turn a wing of one of their many office buildings into apartments, available for first term congressmen...until they decide if they want to make serving the Legislature forever....A few less space for Rep's staff might mean more work and less socializing would get done.

I got a better idea. Why does he just sleep in his car? I mean hey if he wants to be conservative and save. All he needs is to install electrolysis so he can turn water into fuel and let his car run all day and night. If he is lucky he want get stolen.

I say good for him. Everyone has this notion that republicans are W.A.S.P.'s , but many of them are just regular people like you and me. Good for him trying to find a way to save money. I know the feeling, I'm typing this up in my freezing room, with my coat and everything on, so I can save money on my heating.

That's nothing. Congressman James Traficant, America's No.1 political prisoner, had a houseboat on the Potomac.

We can already see the effect of the widespread abuses of power,
perks, waste, earmarks, and of course the scandals. that had plagued our government for so long. I believe PreZ-Elect Obama will do what he campaigned for. At the very least it will be a more efficient government.
As for the Cabinet posts now being filled. I think Americans will be
pleased with his choices for the Cabinet posts. Most important of which is Hillary Clinton as Sec. of State. She has National and International Stature..
It already seems like Americans are beginning to look more optimistic
about our country's problems being solved. GOD Bless America.

If you think that's newsworthy, we have people living in cars in California. Then again, they're just state representatives.

So now we are going to pay his salary and his rent and utility expenses!?

Good let them stay in there offices there is nothing they do anyway

That is disgraceful. It is completely inappropriate for anyone to sleep at their workplace- especially in Congress. This is absolutely disrespectful to the American people and our government.

I think that is great! We are where we are today because of excesses!
He has figured out where to shower! At least he will be clean! This country needs to move from glitzy excesses to frugal!

He is in sink whit a new reality were the word FRUGAL wil be in evreones minds.

You have to give the new guy a few weeks in DC to shmooze. Haliburton will have him set up in no time at all. Swimming Pools, Movie Stars. Check to see where he lives just prior to the next election.

Sorry, but he can't possibly do that. He has to have a house there, and one in his home district, and a vaction home, and 6 cars, and a maid in all of his homes. Not to mention expensive furnishings in all of them. After all, he is a Congressman, and the taxpayers are paying for all of this. I am beiong sarcastic, in case some of you don't understand.

Okay, I'm a little confused. I would imagine that a congressman makes at least 100 grand a year--more than enough to maintain their primary home and rent an apartment in DC. I work in DC, live in MD and make less than 40 grand a year-I really don't feel too terrible for this congressman.

Maybe more legislators need to feel what it's like to live without a place to call home.

If he had not donated so much money to Prop 8 in California, maybe he would have some left over to pay for his rent. Separation of church and state? How about separation of state and home!

That really helps the local economy, doesn't it?

It is an admirable plan, one that should become a precedent for others;'but is one which will likely get snarled in some bureaucratic mumbo jumbo such that he is prevented from doing so.

Got to start somewhere!

hey what's the big deal, our Representative from Montana, Rehberg, has been living in his office for years.

hopefully this attitude will spread to his contemporaries in congress and maybe the next congress will be more fiscally responsible with the citizens money and do something about the national deficit...

I'm surprised the Capitol Building is zoned residential. I would think with the high salaries and expense accounts that congressmen receive, he could find accommodations elsewhere.

saving money at what cost? he hasn't officially moved to DC yet and he's already crazy.

These are our elected officials – and they go to Washington to represent our interests – they'd BETTER!

I think the taxpayers of our country would be well served by investing money in a dormitory-style housing complex for our elected officials. We could provide them with a 24-hour cafeteria, phone services, internet rooms, and a large room for fireplace chats. The PEOPLE should be lobbying its representatives heavily in its country and providing a residence for our representatives is a first step.

The Carpenter's union organization built a Training Center in Las Vegas, Nevada where it has rooms and a huge cafeteria where their apprentice trainees, and delegate training is held. They eat, breathe and talk Carpenter values everyday. You leave that place with pride and dignity and look back at how they take care of their own.

Time to start looking outside the box......

Welcome to the real world. We did that years ago to save money to get a home down payment when interest rates were in the roof areas.

at least this congressman is saving money by living in his office .

Amazing how even our congressmen are, at times, treated like temporary workers or field hands. Course they often then learn how to jack the system and make a ton of money for their friends.

Like my corrupt congressman who was unfortunately re-elected although we almost got him out. Oh well, Orange County would vote for Satan if he had an R after his name.

Cool. Save money where you can and give a good example to the rest of us that are struggling in this Bush economy.

Buy a Murphy bed and you are all set!

This guy is bad news, this is the lightest press you'll see from him. Just wait.

My local congressmen, a father of my good friend, slept in his office for his first 5.5 years as a member. He ate in the cafeterias and showered in the gym. I'm relatively sure that this is a common thing to do, and not exactly newsworthy....

Mr. Chaffetz, being a Republican is lucky to have an office to put a cot in.

If he can't afford housing downtown, he should get housing in the suburbs and commute like most other Americans do. But mooching off the taxpayer by sleeping in his office? That's just wrong.

Chaffetz is a loon. He barely won in an overly Republican county and ran a somewhat racist/homogeneous campaign. He'll make a fool out of Utah Republicans much like some of the other Utah Reps. throughout the years.

I say good for him. More Congressmen should start doing stuff like that particularly when some of the people he represents are losing their jobs and homes.

Thank You Congressman Chaffetz!! Hopefully you start a much needed trend. It seems that most of our elected officials have forgotten that they were elected to Represent the American people, not lavishly spend their hard-earned money. The American people need to be able to trust their Elected officials to Lead by Example, and not 'Do as I say, Not as I do'. Great start to your Washington duties.
Thank You.
Bob Wagner, a Concerned American
West Valley City, UT

Great! If all lawmakers trugled to pay for rents or mortgages and other bills, they'd inderstand the financial problems most American peolple are facing and would work hard to help us, hopefully!

Whats this guy trying to prove? He makes over $165,000 a year being a Congressman. If he's donating the money back to the IRS that would be one thing, but to have a guy sleeping in his office, what kinda wierdo is that.

Thirty years ago I worked on Capitol Hill for a Congressman who lived in his office. It was definitely a money saver for him, but fairly unpleasant for his staff. Also, it was not at all unusual for Members of Congress to spend the night in their office due to legislative or other types of all-nighters.

I saw this piece on TV as well, and somehow I don't feel too badly for these guys. I'd love to make 6 figures, and I've lived much worse than Rep. Chaffetz (submarine duty, for one).

I'm sorry, but I don't feel bad at all, nor sympathetic. This isn't a job of necessity, it's one they campaign for and it pays quite well (and has great benefits to boot).

How about some real news?

Great idea. I would vote for this guy.

Prices of rent in some parts of D.C. is just simply outrageous. If a congressman cannot afford it, what do you think is the case with the average Joe?

Poor thing.

Better than sleeping outside.

i may vote republican in the next round if this guy represents the GOP.

Gosh – wish I could find a job that pays that well and provides good health, dental, and eye care, AND let me live free in my office. I could spend a lot and help the economy, even while maintaining a second home in some other state. he he he he he

Former Ohio Congressman Ron Mottl was bunking in his congressional office back in the Seventies. Cong.-elect Chaffetz is admirable but he is definitely not breaking new ground here.

they are paid enough to do that, congress complained about the private planes of the big three executives, the is fat to trimmed in many places, we are in a crisis, i suggest brown bagging, as i have to do

Sounds like a plan...yet having a private gym/shower for House members only is hardly roughing it.

They should all sleep there.

I'm not from Utah, and I've never heard of this congressman before, but I will say that I can identify with him. This is someone with a good head on his shoulders and an obvious streak of independence. Some will criticize him, but I believe that his ingenuity will not only decrease stress on himself and his family, it will push him to work hard for the American people he represents. I hope others follow suit.

Rep. Dennis Rehberg of Montana has been living in his office for years. He has showered at the gym, as well. Maintains that Montana is his residence.

I will vote for this congressman, he knows how to save money.

Realize the cost of living in DC, and congressman pay isn't that
high, but when they add all the perks, benefits and outlandish
pensions, cannot feel too sorry for them.
The majority of politicans are weatthy. Our system is set up
so that they would not be able to run otherwise.
And, when they run for office they are well aware of the expenses.
There are probably very few that this will cause a "hardship" for.

haha...you know it's bad when even the Congressmen are homeless

well...at least his commute will be short

fake dedication doesnt' replace common sense

Lets see how long it takes them to forget who they are working for,us or the lobbyist with payoff money.

I like this guy. How practical. Thanks for not sticking us taxpayers with some huge expense bill.

They should charge him rent, just like any other place he would live. We did not build a motel for those we send to Washington and we should be reimbursed if they are going to use it as a motel.

Show me where I already said that, please.

They should charge him rent, just like any other place he would live. We did not build a motel for those we send to Washington and we should be reimbursed if they are going to use it as a motel.

Can someone stop Mayor Bloomberg from increasing the fares on buses and subways ?

I would suggest to new Congressman that he ditch the cot and get a good air matress. So far he is showing good fiscal judgement but sleeping on a cot is no match for an air bed. He has a lot of work to do and he needs a good night sleep!

Wow, that's sad that even our leaders are having trouble finding affordable homes. Just goes to show that a weak economy hurts everyone. I hope that both sides will work together to find a solution to the economic crunch.

Smartest thing I've heard so far, nothing wrong with sleeping on a cot, until you can truly get settled in. Tip my hat to ya!

So?

That's ludicrous to suggest that "low end" apartments cost $1400. He obviously didn't look very hard. Also has he considered roommates? What a stupid cheap ploy to show his constituents "I'm so not a part of the DC establishment that I don't even leave my office." For god's sake, shell out a little bit of your congressional income and rent an apartment so you can at least do your laundry!

That's funny. The rookies have to learn the hard way, LOL!

Bless his heart!