The 'shocking' photos of America's 'hottest' congressman

Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) seems to have broken out of his shell, showing off his bare chest and abs on the June cover of Men&#039;s Health.

(Image credit: Facebook/ Men's Health)

last updated 8 January 2015

The image: Since being elected to the House of Representatives in 2008, Aaron Schock (R-Ill.), 29, has been both celebrated and pilloried for being America's "youngest and hottest" congressman. Schock was once "coy about his torso," says Chris Rovzar in New York — he'd been "burned" by having a "seemingly naughty" poolside photo go viral — but his days of modesty are clearly over. A barechested Schock shows off six-pack abs on the June cover of Men's Health magazine, which labels him "The Ripped Representative" and "America's fittest congressman." (See the cover below.) Schock's shirtless photos are part of the magazine's "Fit for Life Summer Challenge," aimed at getting Americans to work out and eat healthy.

The reaction: "Forget the debt crisis, unemployment rate and the biggest kill of the decade," says Caroline May at The Daily Caller. "Schock knows what needs attention — his washboard stomach." "Is it just me, or is this like the best career move ever?" asks Emily Abbate at The Stir. Actually, a U.S. congressman "stripping down for a fitness-magazine cover" is "a bit shocking," says Tim Nudd at People. At least Schock "is not the first politician" to appear on the cover of Men's Health, says Jennifer Steinhauer in The New York Times. President Obama graced the cover twice. "The president, however, was fully clothed." Check out this exhibitionist congressman for yourself: