A Republican from Orange County, California, he served in the United States House of Representatives from 1953 until his death from a heart attack in 1970.

In 1966, when Ronald W. Reagan blocked a third term for "Pat" Brown, Utt received 73.1 percent in his district (his strongest showing ever).

One of the most right-wing members in the House of Representatives from his beginning in 1953 to his death in 1970, Utt opposed welfare programs provided by the federal government, likening them to a "child molester who offers candy before his evil act".

While not a member of the John Birch Society, Utt often spoke in favor of it, and criticized Richard Nixon's denunciations of the organization as ridiculous.

During his time in Congress, Utt sponsored bills that would outlaw the income tax and prevent far-right Croatian Andrija Artuković from being deported.

"[12] In 1966, journalist Drew Pearson reported that Utt was one of a group of four Congressmen who had received the "Statesman of the Republic" award from Liberty Lobby for their "right-wing activities".

[13] He died at Bethesda Naval Hospital of a heart attack, which occurred as he was attending church just 10 days shy of his 71st birthday.