House Rep Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) has had a rough couple of weeks. Earlier this month, public outcry forced him to withdraw his bill to sell off 3.3 million acres of public lands. Then in a turbulent town hall held at a Salt Lake City high school Thursday, a 10-year-old girl had a simple question for the climate-science-denying congressman that set the stage for an epic showdown.
“What are you doing to help protect our water and air for our generations and my kids’ generations?”
“Do you believe in science? Because I do.”
Chaffetz’s evasive response did not sit well with his constituents.
Rather than simply replying, “Of course I believe in science,” the Utah Republican descended into a painful recital of congress-speak and platitudes, such as, “I don’t pretend to have all the answers to all the questions…”
But the crowd wasn’t amused with Chaffetz dodging her question and things went downhill.
The moment was captured on the viral video below. After the clip ends, Chaffetz kept going. He rehashed the hopelessly out-of-date myth that electric vehicles are dirty: “There’s a lot of people who want to move to electricity. Well, how in the world do you think electricity is generated?” Chaffetz said as propel booed.
A few minutes later, Chaffetz ended the town hall and was booed off the stage. Later, he told the media he may avoid such towns halls “for these radicals to further intimidate.”
Yes, Chaffetz needs to avoid such intimidating radicals as a 10-year-old girl who accepts science and wonders if her Congressman does.
Note to Jason Chaffetz: When a young girl asks you if you believe in science, say “yes” quickly.
Here’s more of that town hall:
