Dems, GOP jockey over cutting funds for ex-speakers
By JOHN BRESNAHAN 05/08/2018 08:56 AM EDT
Congress looks like its finally getting rid of one perk for former speakers, but not before a little partisan gamesmanship between Nancy Pelosi and Paul Ryan.
Under current law, former speakers of the House get funding for office space, equipment, franked mail and staff support for a five-year period. Only former Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is eligible for this benefit currently, but Ryan who is retiring after the November elections would be expected to get it as well. Pelosi would be as well when she leaves. But in marking up the 2019 legislative branch funding bill, which covers congressional operations, the five-year period for funding was reduced to one year.
However, Pelosi told Rep. Nita Lowey (N.Y.), top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, and Ryan in an April 26 letter she wants to cut out these funds entirely. It is my opinion that funding for the office of former Speaker should be removed altogether, Pelosi wrote.
Pelosi and Lowey were planning on having a Democrat offer an amendment to do that when the legislative branch funding bill is marked up in the Appropriations panel Tuesday.
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https://www.politico.com/story/2018/05/08/former-house-speaker-funds-573261