WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Obama today vetoed the Presidential Allowance Modernization Act which passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate with bipartisan support, and Iowa Senator Joni Ernst voiced her displeasure with the outcome.
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) – who introduced legislation in the Senate along with Senators Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Marco Rubio (R-FL), while Congressmen Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Elijah Cummings (D-MD) introduced a bill in the House – issued the following statement over the President’s veto:
“When I came to Washington, I pledged to identify the wasteful spending coming from both sides of the aisle, and make Washington squeal. That includes cutting the perks and spending that subsidize wealthy former presidents’ lives to the tune of millions of dollars. I realize this may not be popular among former presidents, but reducing this spending is the right thing to do.
“The Presidential Allowance Modernization Act would reform this flawed benefit system by cutting many of these unnecessary perks, while making certain that the security given to former presidents and their families is in no way impacted.
“I am so disappointed that at a time when past presidents receive well-compensated book deals and speaking fees, hardworking Americans are also expected to foot the bill for their personal staff, office expenses, and much more.
“By continuing with the status quo – despite the bipartisan support in Congress – President Obama has chosen to keep measures in place that unnecessarily cost taxpayers money and benefit wealthy former presidents’ personal careers and post-presidency life.
“This is truly outrageous, particularly at a time when every citizen’s individual share of the national debt is nearly $60,000. The Presidential Allowance Modernization Act would have cut many of these unnecessary and costly presidential perks. I hope President Obama will reconsider and work with us to protect taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars.”
About the Presidential Allowance Modernization Act:
- According to the Congressional Research Service, post-presidency funding dates back to 1958 when Congress created the Former Presidents Act designed to “maintain the dignity” of former presidents and provide benefits to help cover costs associated with holding the office of the president.
- In fiscal year 2015, former U.S. presidents cost taxpayers more than $2.4 million in travel, office space, communications, personnel, and other expenses.
- The Presidential Allowance Modernization Act (S. 1411) was introduced by Senators Joni Ernst, Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) on May 21, 2015. The House companion bill (H.R. 1777) was introduced by Congressmen Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Elijah Cummings (D-MD).
The Presidential Allowance Modernization Act would:
- Affirm that nothing in the legislation relates to the funding of the security or protection of a former president.
- Set former presidents’ monetary allowance and pension at $200,000 each per year.
- Place reductions on perks if the former president earns more than $400,000 per year in income.
- S. 1411 passed out of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on February 10, 2016.
- Legislation passed the Senate on June 21, 2016.
H.R. 1777 passed the House on July 8, 2016.
Does Hillary Rodham-Corruption get pay since she served as Senator….does she get pay for serving as Sec of State….does her government pay accumulate for government positions?
TERM LIMITS with NO lifetime benefits !
Ernst should first limit the money spent on ex congress members. She should be willing to take away all her own entitlements then she would have some credibility to go after ex presidents.
Good point. She could also try to rein in the cost that each legislator is allocated for staff and office help in their Washington offices.
Obama is a sheep clothed muslim bent on making America a 3rd world country and his pupil Mrs.Billy Clinton has been his student –she could care less what happens to America as long as she and her mafia continue to get their piece of the pie — Taxpayer money -millions for me as their group (coup) is known as.
Elections are not real presidents are selected decades in advance and all work for, the same entity there is no Dem. Rep. parties they are both owned and controlled by the same entity, the sorcerers Christ told us about in Rev 2:9, 3:9, research you will find all of the people in high positions are all Zionists, https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Ephesians-6-12/.
Once again, you all rely on just what you are told and go no further. President Obama did veto the bill but said he agreed that reform is needed. However, this bill, as it was written, would terminate immediately staffers of past presidents who work with them on schedules, information, etc. They would be out of a job immediately. The President thought that was unfair and they should have time to transition to other jobs. Other cuts would impact Secret Service protection for the past presidents. Joni should re-craft her bill, make the fixes he asked for, and re-introduce it. Former Presidents serve as ambassadors for the United States, they attend affairs of state, they help negotiate treaties and pacts with other nations. They advise the current President. $2,400,000 is a paltry sum for this amount of statemanship and experience.
Well stated Bodacious.
In addition to what you commented on, this article also fails to mention that President Obama consulted with all 4 living former Presidents on this and they all concurred as to what was stated.
That included former Republican Presidents Bush I & Bush II.
And in Clinton’s case, what else do the staffers do Bodie?
Don’t know Elvie.
And how much will she be getting in free healthcare and pensions after she leaves??
As it stands right now, Ernst if she were just a one term Senator, will get $16,0000 a year at age 62 for the rest of her life.
There are many millions of people that work their entire lives and will not even get that at age 65 from SS.
Tom Harkin after 30 years gets $125,000 per year.
God knows what Grassley will get, if he lasts that long.
While I commend her efforts…. she would have been much more authentic had she proposed limitations on congressional welfare rather than another branch of “gubment”. Refocus your efforts and try again Joni…….. then you will truly represent the good people of Iowa.
Where’s Bodie and James and the rest of the crats on this. YOU MUST BE SOOOOO PROUD!!!
This pisses me off too. $200,000 is enough for anyone per year, especially at retirement age. If you make over $400,000 per year, I think the reduction of the $200,000 is fair. My god, this is a money grab on the taxpayers back. This veto gives you more reason to vote for Trump.
Just a thief from chitcago.
No comments ! Thats a laugh – everyone said he’s a crook along with the demorat party.
This should not have surprised any one. If I remember correctly, Obama had already taken care of his future needs a year or so ago. Maybe this is what Obama meant when he mentioned the redistribution of wealth or income equality. Any that we might have, they take.
Politically correct! Obummer/Clinton/Bush are scum.
Of course he vetoed it. He is still taking from the taxpayers and giving nothing in return. Hitlary will just continue the rape of the taxpayers just like Obaummer. Go Trump.
Leader of the RAT CLAN.
What did you expect from a crooked demorat — Clinton is worse and God cannot save America if she is crookedly elected – fraud -deceit – lies – scum. Vote for America -vote for your children — Donald J TRUMP the only none politican HONEST candidate.
Joni is squealing.
When so many seniors are living on Social Security and barely getting by, deciding what pills they can skip or cut in half to save money, trim their meals so they don’t have to spend so much on food and do without necessities President Obama thinks it is o.k. to have the luxury of having current/past President’s office expenses, personal/other expenses etc paid by us also. And this is IF they earn over “$400,000.00 a year”!!!!! Are you kidding me?! Talk about getting rich off of the backs of the poor………..
Grrrrrr.
he is not through milking the country