Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, announced Thursday he is resigning from Congress effective June 30 – reportedly triggering a Republican scramble for the chairmanship of one of the key congressional committees investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.
In a letter to constituents, Chaffetz, who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said he "never for a moment . . . thought that I was indispensable. I know others can and should serve."
Chaffetz had previously said he would leave Congress before the end of his term, but did not provide a timeline. With his quick departure now known, the question of a successor will have Republicans scrambling to fill his chairmanship, USA Today reported.
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, one of the most senior committee members, "has signaled his interest in succeeding Chaffetz," USA Today reported. Jordan is a co-founder of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and has frequently clashed with GOP leadership, the newspaper noted.
Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., is also interested, USA Today reported.
"Rep. Gowdy is talking to members in the conference about the qualities they believe are most important for the next Chairman to possess," Gowdy spokeswoman Amanda Gonzalez told USA Today.
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