Two Congressmen that helped oust Speaker John Boehner in October introduced legislation Tuesday that would strip the benefits Boehner is now slated to receive for the next five years.
Reps. Walter Jones, R-N.C., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., argued that the benefits package to ex-speakers is excessive, and even cited the case of former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who was later linked to child abuse.
“Upon leaving office, former speakers have access to many perks and opportunities, including government pensions, book deals, lobbying, speaking engagements and consulting. If they want an office, they can pay for it themselves,” Jones said.
“Former Speaker Dennis Hastert spent $1.9 million in taxpayer money running his post-speaker office. Meanwhile, he was making big money as a Washington, D.C., lobbyist and had the disposable income to pay $1.7 million to someone who was blackmailing him over allegedly molesting young boys,” a release from Jones and Massie states.
Perks that former speakers get include office funds, mail privileges and staff, the two lawmakers said.
Massie cited this week’s vote over government funding as the opportune time to cut this program. “This week’s omnibus presents an immediate opportunity to defund the ex-speaker’s office,” Massie said.
“We need to cut this unnecessary taxpayer-funded perk and deal with our $18 trillion debt,” Jones said Tuesday.
