Taking advantage of a 45-year-old regulation, former Speaker of the House John Boehner (shown on right) is about to send a big bill to the American taxpayers.
In a story published by ABC News, the former speaker plans to take advantage of the unbelievable perks afforded to previous holders of that office. ABC News reports that the benefits include “a government-funded office for five years that may include up to three aides, with six-figure salaries, postage-free mailing privileges and an office allowance for furnishings.”
That’s a whopping welfare package for one who once won his seat largely due to a promise to “reduce the size of government” and pushed for “getting Americans back to work a priority again for our nation’s welfare programs.”
Ironic considering his big bundle of benefits doesn’t require him to work for them at all!
Thankfully, there are a couple of congressman, both of whom are consistent defenders of the Constitution and champions of limited government, who are calling for the repeal of this reprehensible example of unconstitutional largesse. “I’m confident that when we get this legislation to the floor, every member of Congress will vote with us to eliminate this waste of taxpayer dollars,” said Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), as reported by ABC News. Massie’s cosponsor is Representative Walter Jones (R-N.C.).
In a press release announcing the proposed legislation to end the practice (HR 4195), the pair point out some problems from the recent past: “Speaker Dennis Hastert spent $1.9 million in taxpayer money running his post-speaker office. Meanwhile, he was making big money as a Washington, DC lobbyist and had the disposable income to pay $1.7 million to someone who was blackmailing him over allegedly molesting young boys.”
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“It is ridiculous that a former speaker needs 5 years and millions of taxpayer dollars to maintain an office in the Capitol building,” Jones said at a press conference promoting the bill.
“They are no longer a member of Congress. 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. We need to cut this unnecessary taxpayer-funded perk and deal with our $18 trillion debt,” he added.
Massie echoed his colleague’s condemnation of the policy. “I’m confident that when we get this legislation to the floor, every member of Congress will vote with us to eliminate this waste of taxpayer dollars,” Massie said. “This week’s omnibus presents an immediate opportunity to defund the ex-speaker’s office, but the most probable vehicle is an amendment containing Mr. Jones’ legislation, that we can offer next summer during the appropriations debate,” he added.
According to the text of the applicable regulation, Boehner can use the money to “facilitate the administration, settlement, and conclusion of matters pertaining to or arising out of” his congressional service.
A Cincinnati television station reports that “the office will facilitate the archiving of Boehner’s records and serve as a resource to new House Speaker Paul Ryan and his growing team.”
What is growing is the size of the government? The leadership of both parties is committed to carrying on the program of impoverishing the people and imperiling our Republic through the generational assault on the Constitution and the concepts of limited government and enumerated powers upon which it was erected.
John Boehner’s decision to use the dole to fund his office lengthens the list of those living off the extorted largesse of the American people.
As of December 9, Massie and Jones’s bill is waiting on consideration by the House Committee on House Administration.
