Cheez Whiz and PB&J: Inside the Best Christmas Party in Washington DC

Tennessee Republican Rep. Tim Burchett’s “Carhartt Christmas Party” in his Capitol Hill office has become one of the most anticipated events in Washington for the eclectic crowd it attracts.

The fourth annual bash attracted guests ranging from Democrat Congressmen to a local homeless man running for dictator.

And in 15 minutes, it was all over.

The “Carhartt” theme comes from Burchett’s Carhartt overcoat, which he often wears in the colder months. Burchett explained the party’s brevity in a post to X before the party.

“Last year it went to 16 [minutes], but we thought it dragged on too much,” Burchett said. 

“The reason it’s 15 minutes is you go to a dadgum Christmas party and what happens? You get cornered by somebody who’s half lit and they got wine breath and they’re cornering you in the corner over there for 15 minutes and that’s about all you can take. So I’m thinking 15 minutes is all you need for a Christmas party to say your piece and go on about it.”

For food, the East Tennessean offered “charcuterie” in the form of Ritz crackers and spray cheese, as well as a do-it-yourself peanut butter and jelly sandwich bar.

Dozens of guests crammed themselves into his office in the Longworth House office building, including Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa.; Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla.; Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas; and Rep. Jim Baird, R-Ind.

Another special guest was Rick Hohensee, a Washington, D.C. homeless man whom Burchett invited in to enjoy a snack. 

Hohensee is often spotted around Capitol Hill with a sign reading “Rick for dictator,” and runs a website that reads, “Rick Hohensee for executive/legislature of the USA for two years by Constitutional Amendment.”

Hohensee proceeded to take out his harmonica and play classic Christmas songs alongside Gary Chapman, a singer-songwriter Burchett invited to play guitar.

There were also some constituents from Burchett’s Knoxville-area Congressional district. Randy Dalton from Blaine, Tennessee came with his family and told The Daily Signal, “I know him pretty well. I’ve spent a little time with him. I know he’s a great guy.”

Dalton told The Daily Signal he appreciated the office’s communication with constituents, saying, “They’re very open. You can call any time. Yeah, I’ve called a few times and they’re very easy and all his people, staffers, everyone, they’re just nice people.”

After the party concluded, Burchett went outside, where he provided cheese whiz and crackers to those passing through the hallway.

Burchett has long held public friendships with a diverse group of people, as he is on a first-name basis with Capitol employees, and has also been known to be friendly with Democrat Reps. such as Alexandria Ocasio Cortez of New York and Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii.

 However, he did not come to Washington to go along to get along, often showing willingness to buck the party line.

Burchett was one of the Republicans who voted to oust then-Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy in 2023. 

On Wednesday, he voted against the Republican-backed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), saying it was the work of “war pimps” while criticizing its $900 billion price tag, aid to Ukraine, and non-defense related provisions.

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