Rep. Jason Chaffetz is leaving Congress behind for a life in television, Fox News announced on Wednesday. | AP Photo Jason Chaffetz signs with Fox News

Rep. Jason Chaffetz is leaving Congress behind for a life in television, Fox News announced on Wednesday.

Chaffetz will be a contributor to the network starting July 1, the day after he will officially resign from Congress. The Utah Republican will "offer political analysis across FNC and FOX Business Network’s (FBN) daytime and primetime programming,” the network said in a statement.


Chaffetz’s move to television has long been in the works, with the Washingtonian and others reporting weeks ago that he was headed to Fox News. The former chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Chaffetz announced in April he would not seek re-election, and last month said he would resign his seat early to pursue opportunities in the private sector. Rep. Trey Gowdy has taken over the committee.

In a recent interview with The Hill, Chaffetz suggested members of Congress get a $2,500 stipend per month for housing, complaining that it’s hard for a member of Congress to afford a mortgage at home in Utah, kids in college and a place in Washington.

Though he’s leaving politics for now, Chaffetz said in that same interview that he isn’t closing the door on the possibility of a future run. The position with Fox News likely pays better than the salary for a member of Congress (which is around $170,000) and would keep Chaffetz in the public eye. A Fox News spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about Chaffetz’s contract.

