Jason Chaffetz Quotes

Powerful Jason Chaffetz for Daily Growth

About Jason Chaffetz

Jason Chaffetz is an American politician and former United States Congressman who served as the U.S. Representative for Utah's 3rd congressional district from 2009 to 2017. Born on January 15, 1967, in Los Angeles, California, Chaffetz grew up in a Mormon household and moved frequently due to his father's military career. He attended Brigham Young University (BYU) where he earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism and subsequently worked as a news reporter before transitioning into politics. Chaffetz began his political career in the Utah State Senate, serving from 1997 to 2008. During this time, he gained recognition for his conservative views and strong stance on state issues such as education reform and tax cuts. In 2008, he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives and won, representing Utah's 3rd district until 2017. As a Congressman, Chaffetz became well-known for his investigations into various government agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of State during the Benghazi scandal. He also served as the Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee from 2015 to 2017. In terms of major works, Chaffetz co-authored the book "Power Grab: Proven Solutions to Make Government Work for Us" in 2014. After leaving Congress in 2017, he joined Fox News as a contributor and has continued to be active in conservative politics. Chaffetz's political career and actions have been influenced by his strong beliefs in limited government, fiscal responsibility, and free-market principles. His biography serves as an example of a Mormon family man who transitioned from journalism to politics with a notable impact on American policy-making.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We don't audit the IRS because they are really good at math."

This quote by Jason Chaffetz is a humorous remark that suggests a lack of accountability in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The humor lies in the irony of the fact that the IRS, an organization responsible for handling complex tax calculations, would not need to be audited due to its proficiency in math. However, the underlying message is a call for transparency and oversight over the IRS to ensure they are operating efficiently and honestly, as a lack of audit may indicate inadequate scrutiny or potential mismanagement.


"If you have nothing to hide, then you should be happy that the NSA is monitoring everyone."

This quote by Jason Chaffetz suggests that if one has nothing to hide, they should not object to widespread surveillance like that conducted by the NSA. It implies a lack of concern for privacy rights when no illicit activities are being pursued, as there is nothing to fear from such monitoring. However, this view overlooks the potential misuse of power, the erosion of privacy as a fundamental human right, and the chilling effect on free speech and association in a democratic society.


"When you look at what's happening with these leaks, and what's happened with Hillary Clinton and her emails, I think it's a fair question for him [Donald Trump] or anybody else who has been handling classified information to have their security clearance suspended pending an investigation."

This quote by Jason Chaffetz suggests that, during his tenure as a US Congressman, he believed there should be a suspension of security clearances for individuals under investigation regarding leaks or mishandling of classified information. Specifically, Chaffetz is referring to the controversy surrounding Hillary Clinton's use of private email servers while serving as Secretary of State and Donald Trump's handling of classified documents during his presidency. The quote underscores the importance of maintaining security and integrity when dealing with sensitive government information.


"The best way to not be on TV is to do nothing wrong."

This quote by Jason Chaffetz suggests that to avoid unwanted public attention or scrutiny, particularly in the form of media coverage, one should strive to act ethically and responsibly. The implication is that doing things correctly and avoiding questionable actions will help minimize the chances of becoming embroiled in scandals or controversies that can lead to negative media exposure. It underscores the importance of personal integrity and responsible behavior as a means of maintaining a positive public image.


"If you're going to be in the arena, sometimes you get hit and you get hurt. It's part of the game."

This quote by Jason Chaffetz suggests that taking risks or being actively involved in life (the "arena") often leads to encounters with challenges, setbacks, or pain. However, these experiences are inherent to the process of living, learning, and growing. It encourages resilience in the face of hardship, implying that one should not shy away from life's opportunities even if they come with potential harm or discomfort.


Until the administration can articulate a coherent and convincing policy for closing Guantanamo, it should remain open.

- Jason Chaffetz

Closing, Guantanamo, Coherent

When determining appropriate levels of compensation, management must determine if the employee turnover rate is too low, too high, or just right. If turnover rate is high enough to adversely impact the entity's performance, then employee compensation is probably too low.

- Jason Chaffetz

Appropriate, Determine, Employee

The only way you can raise the debt ceiling is to change the trajectory of spending - that's my personal preference. But I want the Ways and Means Committee to offer up a solution.

- Jason Chaffetz

Change, Committee, Means, Ceiling

The time has come for President Obama to formally rescind his order to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay and end his irresponsible allegations of injustices at the facility, which operates in a framework that respects the rule of law, keeps terrorists off American soil, and bolsters our national security.

- Jason Chaffetz

Rule, Obama, Terrorists, Irresponsible

Our Strategic Petroleum Reserve is there for a natural disaster or some other catastrophe.

- Jason Chaffetz

Some, Other, Strategic, Natural Disaster

The White House has been noticeably schizophrenic on Guantanamo.

- Jason Chaffetz

White, Been, Guantanamo, Schizophrenic

High tax rates distort economic decision making, and our corporate income tax rate is one of the highest in the world.

- Jason Chaffetz

Decision, Income, Making, Tax Rate

Kevin McCarthy is a good man.

- Jason Chaffetz

Man, Kevin, McCarthy, A Good Man

The only good place for a sage grouse to be listed is on the menu of a French bistro. It does not deserve federal protection, period.

- Jason Chaffetz

Deserve, Good Place, Period, Sage

I have the greatest respect and admiration for Congressman Issa, but I don't intend to be Darrell Issa-like.

- Jason Chaffetz

Admiration, Congressman, Intend

When you're on a football scholarship, you get a stipend that's supposed to cover your rent and a few incidentals. It was $360 a month. This was the late 1980s, and the NCAA has an interesting rule where you're not allowed to supplement your income with a part-time job.

- Jason Chaffetz

Income, Rule, Allowed, Part-Time

I have worked closely with my Democratic allies. Elijah Cummings is a good friend.

- Jason Chaffetz

Democratic, Closely, Worked, Good Friend

The American people deserve a blueprint for policymaking that is built upon the Constitution of the United States and the principles of fiscal discipline, limited government, accountability, and a strong national defense.

- Jason Chaffetz

Strong, National Defense, Blueprint

There has to be a better, smarter way to authenticate who somebody is. Social Security numbers are floating out there everywhere.

- Jason Chaffetz

Numbers, Way, Social, Floating

You've got to speak; you've got to be able to articulate the Republican message to the American people and take that fight to the president, but you also have to bridge internally.

- Jason Chaffetz

American, Republican, Also, Articulate

Nearly 30 million people ride Amtrak each year, and they should board the trains knowing that safety is a paramount priority.

- Jason Chaffetz

Year, Priority, Nearly, Amtrak

I'm not scared of diversity. We have to have debates and win the argument, and if there are amendments that need to be brought up so we find out where the party is, so be it.

- Jason Chaffetz

Argument, Need, Brought, Debates

Government is not being honest with taxpayers when it renews existing tax breaks and calls them new tax cuts.

- Jason Chaffetz

New, Breaks, Taxpayers, Tax Breaks

I would support eliminating certain tax breaks that are not economically justifiable if they are offset with reductions in tax rates.

- Jason Chaffetz

Breaks, Offset, Reductions, Tax Breaks

I don't have a problem talking about Medicare or Medicaid or some other very important issue.

- Jason Chaffetz

Some, Other, Very, Medicare

When Steny Hoyer brings up a resolution to support and recognize the University of Maryland men's basketball team - I'm not making this up - before we even had March madness, then you just know that it's just political favoritism.

- Jason Chaffetz

University, Before, Maryland, Basketball Team

When your economy is subject to the whims of Libya and Nigeria and Venezuela, you have a problem.

- Jason Chaffetz

Problem, Nigeria, Whims, Libya

People have seen me fighting everything from 'Fast and Furious' to the IRS on Planned Parenthood to a host of things, Benghazi and others.

- Jason Chaffetz

Fighting, Planned, IRS, Benghazi

I think what we're going to hear is that we didn't meet the basic, minimum standards required for a facility such as the one we had in Benghazi. And the request for more security personnel went unheeded, unanswered, and consequently, you know, you have the death of four Americans.

- Jason Chaffetz

Death, Request, I Think, Benghazi

We have got a - we've got a good federal work force, but we have too many people, and we're paying them too much money.

- Jason Chaffetz

Work, Too Much, Them, Too Many People

From December 2007 through June 2009, average federal employee salaries increased by 6.6 percent, while average private-sector salaries increased by 3.9 percent.

- Jason Chaffetz

Through, Average, Increased, December

My challenge to members on both sides of the aisle is to stand up and have the integrity to say that we have a dead U.S. agent; we have a Department of Justice that lied to Congress.

- Jason Chaffetz

Both Sides, Congress, Agent, Department

I got more whistleblowers from the Secret Service than I do anywhere else. And if you look at that department and agency, it's the one place you can never, ever, ever make a mistake - ever.

- Jason Chaffetz

Mistake, More, Agency, Department

If you're going to grow the economy, if people are going to have more income, you have to have stability in the marketplace.

- Jason Chaffetz

Grow, Income, Marketplace, Stability

A dash of frugality is a good thing for everyone.

- Jason Chaffetz

Everyone, A Good Thing, Frugality

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