"Need to spend more time with my foot"

Chaffetz to take leave from Congress for medical procedure

House Oversight chairman cites need for 'immediate' foot surgery.

By CRISTIANO LIMA

House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz announced Wednesday that he will take a leave of absence from Congress to undergo surgery on his foot, with an estimated return in mid-May.

The Utah Republican posted a picture of an X-ray on Instagram and wrote that a foot injury he sustained 12 years ago is now prompting him to undergo "immediate" surgery.

The estimated recovery time is three to four weeks. Chaffetz said avoiding the procedure could put him "at risk for serious infection."

Chaffetz's absence comes amid a crucial stretch for House Republicans and the Trump administration. There are looming votes on a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown and, potentially, a close vote on legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

"I’m sorry to miss the important work we are doing in Washington," Chaffetz wrote. "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."

Chaffetz told POLITICO he plans to fly back to his home state early on Thursday. He said he expects to resume his place in Congress and his panel chairmanship in three weeks, likely after the May recess.

Chaffetz announced last week that he would not be seeking reelection to his House seat in 2018.

“After long consultation with my family and prayerful consideration, I have decided I will not be a candidate for any office in 2018,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Chaffetz said later in the week he has not ruled out the possibility that he might vacate his seat prior to the end of his current term.

“In the meantime, I still have a job to do and I have no plans to take my foot off the gas," Chaffetz said.