Chaffetz Leaves Congress for Month Amid Medical Emergency

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, announced Wednesday an old injury triggered a health emergency that will likely keep him out of work for up to a month.

In an Instagram post, the GOP chairman of the House Oversight Committee said doctors at the University of Utah recommended he get immediate surgery to prevent a serious infection from screws still in his foot after a fall from a ladder 12 years ago.

Almost 12 years ago, I shattered several bones in my foot which required 14 screws and a metal plate to repair. Yes, I wish I could say I was cliff diving in Mexico but the truth is I fell off a ladder while repairing something in my garage. The University of Utah doctors now recommend immediate surgery to remove all the hardware or I could be at risk for serious infection. My recovery is expected to take three to four weeks. I’m sorry to miss the important work we are doing in Washington. This is not an opportune time to be away but medical emergencies are never convenient. I appreciate my constituent’s patience and understanding as I take time to recover.

A post shared by Jason Chaffetz (@jasoninthehouse) on Apr 26, 2017 at 5:24pm PDT

With a busy agenda ahead for House Republicans — both on healthcare and government funding – Chaffetz said he regretted he will not be able to help work out those major issues.

"My recovery is expected to take three to four weeks," he wrote. "I'm sorry to miss the important work we are doing in Washington . . . but medical emergencies are never convenient."

Last week, the Utah lawmaker shocked Washington with an announcement he will not seek re-election next year, suggesting he might leave Washington even before the end of his term.

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