House bill would cap expenses for ex-presidents

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By MATTHEW DALY

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and other former presidents who earn lucrative speaking fees and draw other income would no longer be able to count on taxpayer dollars to pay for their post-White House office space and staff under a bill in the House.

On a voice vote, the House Oversight panel backed a measure Tuesday to limit taxpayer dollars for expenses, including travel, incurred by ex-presidents who earn more than $400,000 a year.

U.S. taxpayers paid a total of $3.5 million last year in pensions and benefits to the four living former presidents, including $1.3 million for Bush and $950,000 for Clinton, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service. Most of that money was for sprawling office space in Dallas and New York, respectively.

Both Clinton and Bush, like other ex-presidents before them, have earned millions in speaking fees since leaving office.

FULL story at link.



FILE - In this April 21, 2015 file photo, former President Bill Clinton listens while speaking at Georgetown University in Washington. A House panel has approved a bipartisan bill that would limit expenses for former presidents who earn more than $400,000 a year. Former presidents receive a pension of more than $200,000 a year, plus annual expenses that can add up to more than $1 million for office space and other costs. On a voice vote, the House Oversight panel backed the measure on Tuesday to limit taxpayer dollars for expenses, including travel. Clinton received $950,000 from taxpayers last year, while George W. Bush received $1.3 million, mostly for office space. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20150519/us--presidential_expenses-e4c9945aea.html

[LoisB]

1. The timing is very suspicious.

[dembotoz]

2. assholes need to prove they r assholes

[mountain grammy]

3. I'm sure it will only apply to the next president to retire..

oh yeah, that will be Obama. What a shock.

[kelliekat44]

4. All this to make sure Obama doesn't get the money other Presidents have received. That's really

what is behind this move. You know the RW feels that the Clintons and the Obamas are undeserving of what other Presidents receive once they leave office. Remember they referred to the Clintons as "trailer trash" when they were in office.

[Psephos]

6. Good. Free money for the 1% doesn't sit well with me. n/t

[Xithras]

7. I don't really see the problem with this.

The Presidency isn't supposed to be the gateway to wealth, and the fact that we paid out $3.5 million last year to men who were ALREADY millionaires is disturbing. Someone tell me why the U.S. government should be subsidizing Bush to the tune of $1.3 million a year, when he has a net worth that's already in the tens of millions of dollars?

[Yupster]

12. You're right

This was first put in because Harry Truman was broke after leaving office.

But the times have a changed and now former presidents make millions for very little.

There's no reason we should be subsidizing them.

[Xithras]

14. And it's not as if they're being cut off.

They'll still get a roughly $200,000 a year pension, and are allowed to earn up to $400,000 a year without penalty. Once they cross the $400,000 a year mark, the amount of matching funds the government gives them starts declining, ultimately capping at $600,000 a year.

$600,000 a year is not chump change, and if a former President is making over $600,000 a year they don't really need additional taxpayer dollars anyway. At that point, they can afford to pay for their own offices and staff.

[Archae]

8. We should continue to pay for their security. That's all.

Although not one dime should go for Cheney's security.

[davidpdx]

13. I agree, but I think it should be security, pension, and health care. No expenses.

That certainly is enough for an ex-president. G.W. and G.H.W certainly don't need it as their family is extremely wealthy. It sounds like Carter basically only has his charities. I've never heard about Carter giving paid speeches (maybe I'm wrong).

In terms of Obama, I'm not the least worried about him.

[840high]

9. Good.

[SunSeeker]

10. This must be because Republicans don't expect any more Republican Presidents.

And of course, it is also a slap at Obama, who will leave office still young.

[NV Whino]

11. Sounds good to me