In Case You Missed It: Sen. Ernst Introduces Bill To Reform Allowances For Former Presidents

Last week, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced the Presidential Allowance Modernization Act of 2015 to reform the system for providing former U.S. presidents certain benefits and perks. The legislation examines how former presidents are spending taxpayer dollars and, among other things, would set the annual allowances for former presidents at $200,000.

Click here to listen to Senator Ernst discuss the new legislation.

What They Are Saying:

Radio Iowa: “Iowa Senator Joni Ernst is touting legislation to reform the system for providing former presidents with certain perks and benefits.” (Radio Iowa, 5/21/15)

• Radio Iowa: “Ernst noted in fiscal year 2015, former U.S. presidents cost taxpayers more than $2.4 million in travel, office space, communications, personnel, and other expenses.” (Radio Iowa, 5/21/15)

KCAU-TV: “The Presidential Allowance and Modernization Act of 2015 was designed to limit the amount of money taxpayers provide for various benefits such as communications, office space, and staffing and travel expenses. Ernst said today that those were things taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for.” (KCAU-TV, 5/22/15)

The Hill: “Ernst suggested that her push to limit money given to former commanders in chief is part of a larger push to rein in government spending.” (The Hill, 5/26/15)

The Fiscal Times: “Under a new bill proposed by a trio of Senate Republicans, former U.S. presidents would see their benefits covering travel, staff, and office space cut dramatically, in line with their post-White House earnings.” (The Fiscal Times, 5/26/15)

• The Fiscal Times: “…the Presidential Allowance Modernization Act of 2015, introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), would scale back the amount of money former presidents receive for office space, staff, and travel expenses to $200,000 per year. That allowance would be further reduced by one dollar for every dollar a former president earns over $400,000 in a given year.” (The Fiscal Times, 5/26/15)

Omaha World-Herald: “Every year, taxpayers shell out millions of dollars in allowances to former U.S. presidents. It’s time to tighten those post-presidential belts, says Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa.” (Omaha World-Herald, 5/22/15)

KMA Land: “Ernst says the bill aims to restore taxpayer trust.” (KMA Land, 5/21/15)

Click here or on the image below to watch KCAU-TV’s report.

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 (FPA) 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.
• This is the companion bill to the House of Representatives bill, H.R. 1777, introduced by Congressmen Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Elijah Cummings (D-MD) that passed unanimously out of the House Oversight Committee earlier this month.

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