WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), along with Senators Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) applauded Senate passage of the Presidential Allowance Modernization Act, legislation to reform the system for providing former U.S. presidents certain benefits and perks.
“At a time when we are more than $19 trillion in debt, taxpayers should not be forced to foot the bill for the perks of former presidents to the tune of millions of dollars,” said Senator Ernst. “We have got to cut spending, and subsidizing former president’s expenses—when they don’t even need it—is just downright wasteful. This bipartisan bill reforms and cuts many of the perks given to former presidents to better reflect the realities of today’s post-presidential life.”
“Cutting wasteful spending is a key priority of mine to protect taxpayers and identifying outdated measures in our government should be a top priority for Congress,” said Senator Kirk. “I applaud the passage of this bipartisan bill to reform the allowance of former presidents by setting real restrictions to prevent further misuse of taxpayer funds.”
“Times have changed, and it’s become clear that taxpayers no longer need to foot the entire bill for all the endeavors presidents undertake after leaving office,” said Senator Rubio. “We remain grateful for the service of our former presidents, but this reform that Joni Ernst has passed through the Senate makes all the sense in the world.”
Senator Ernst introduced the Presidential Allowance Modernization Act last spring, and it passed with bipartisan support out of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in February. Original co-sponsors of her bill included Senators Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL). The House companion bill was introduced by Congressmen Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Elijah Cummings (D-MD).
About Presidential Perks and 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 would:
- 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.
- Affirm that nothing in the legislation relates to the funding of the security or protection of a former 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.”
That’s just one third the cost of the House Benghazi committee.
This is a great start to reduce government wastefulness! How about congress term limits, and lifetime benefits for them even if only having served only one term . And then there is welfare reform , mandatory drug testing for welfare benefits, limit the number of kids a single mom or dad can draw benefits for, No benefits for illegals. There is so much waste in government spending that this motion is only the tip of the enormous iceberg ! Government is out of line and so very corrupt. Also, DC leaders should have to use the Affordable Care Act health insurance as well. Like I said…..just the tip of the iceberg. How about taking care of U.S. citizens before refugees and illegals? Veterans deserve so much more, and our senior citizens, too. Tip of the giant iceberg !
If we paid them what they are worth, they would owe us.
Agreed this is just a start. Now its time for Ernst to put a bill forward cutting the perks for congress as well. Should not be a problem unless this was all a big publicity stunt on her part.
That’s a good start , thank you Senator Ernst . This is the only kind of work our government should be doing , cutting costs to the bone except for the military. So the American workers don’t have to bend over as much an grab our ankles !
Agreed Lloyd, it is a good start.
Now Joni, how about getting rid of the welfare that US Senators can actually get a “pension” even after serving only one term.
As it stands now a US Senator that serves only one term can receive a $16,000 a year for the rest of their life.
Tell me anywhere else that a person that works at a place for only 6 years, will then get a pension.
As of a year ago there were 617 former members of Congress collecting pensions worth an average of $60,250 a year, or about $5,000 a month.
This is over and above any social security & 401K funds that they also receive.
So Joni, are you also going to also put pension reduction plans in place for all retired Congress persons if they earn too much?