Republicans want to limit funding for ex-presidents

Three Republicans want to cap federal spending on former presidents.

{mosads}Republican Sens. Joni Ernst (Iowa), Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Mark Kirk (Ill.) have introduced legislation that would limit a former president’s annual pension and allowance each to $200,000.

The three said that during the 2015 fiscal year, former presidents spent more than $2.4 million, including money for travel, office space and communications. Office space in Dallas for former President George W. Bush, for example, cost more than $420,000 during the 2014 fiscal year, according to a Congressional Research Service report.

Rubio, a GOP 2016 presidential candidate, said he was “grateful for the service of former presidents,” but added that “taxpayers no longer need to foot the entire bill for all the endeavors presidents undertake after leaving office.”

The legislation would also reduce the amount given annually to former presidents by one dollar for every dollar of income they earn above $400,000 per year.

The measure follows reports that former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have made approximately $30 million since 2014. The four living former presidents — Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter — all receive the federal benefits.

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.

“This is an issue of restoring taxpayer trust by looking at reforms in the allowances and perks given to these former presidents who generate significant incomes after leaving office,” she said. “It is critical that we stop talking and start cutting wasteful spending.”

The cap doesn’t include money spent on security or protection of former presidents.

Reps. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) and Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) have introduced a companion bill in the House.