Congressman Tim Burchett Hosts 16-Minute Christmas Party

A Jewish Democrat attended as Santa while two Republicans performed Christmas Carols on guitar


Congressman Tim Burchett Hosts 16-Minute Christmas Party

Congressman Tim Burchett hosted a bipartisan Christmas Party in his office for just 16 minutes.


This is the second year the Tennessee Republican has held his lightning-speed gathering. In fact, the celebration has been extended from last year’s 15-minute block.

“You go to a Christmas party and you’re sitting there drinking some watered-down drink and some crappy hors d’oeuvres that probably were froze from last year’s Christmas party,” the lawmaker told The Hill. “And you’re stuck there talking to somebody with wine breath, and you can’t get away from them and you’re thinking, ‘Dang, 15 minutes.’”

“So, I’m just thinking, that’s all you really need,” he said. 

However, he granted a 60-second extension this year after he felt he “really just couldn’t pack it all in” during 2022.


Burchett hosted this year’s Christmas party in the Longworth House Office Building, personally passing out hors d’oeuvres to his guests.


Congressman Jared Moskowitz of Florida appeared at the party dressed as Santa Claus. The Democrat and Burchett work together on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

“Somebody said, ‘You know he’s Jewish, don’tcha?’ And I said, ‘Dagnabbit, my savior’s Jewish. My Santa Claus can be Jewish, too,’” Burchett said.

The party even included live Christmas carols – with Congressman Tim Walberg of Michigan and Congressman Cliff Bentz of Oregon performing on guitar and a vocal performance by House Chaplain Margaret G. Kibben.

Dogs were also welcome at the celebration.


In addition to congressional staffers, guests included Representatives Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL,) Mary Miller (R-IL), Kevin Hern (R-OK), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Ralph Norman (R-SC) Laurel Lee (R-FL) as well as Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Wiley Nickel (D-NC), and Sara Jacobs (D-CA).

Luna’s son, who was born in August, got a photo with Santa Moskowitz – his first Santa photo ever according to his mother.


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