Jones Notches Progress on Defunding Post-Speaker Office; Continues Fight to Eliminate | Eastern NC Now

News Release:

    WASHINGTON, DC     Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) is lauding progress on ending taxpayer funding of offices for former House speakers. The perk was instituted in 1971 and gives former House speakers payments for rent, office allowances, mail, and paid staff for up to five years after their service as speaker has ended. Jones has introduced legislation (H.R. 1855) to eliminate the funding. The House took a step in that direction when, last week, the House Subcommittee on Legislative Appropriations approved language to reduce the funding from five years down to one year.

    "As I've said many times before, this perk, regardless of the length, is a waste of taxpayers' money. Why should the taxpayer be forced to pay for a person that no longer serves them in Congress?" asked Congressman Jones.

    "Eliminating the post-speaker office completely is the right thing to do," continued Jones. "Unfortunately, this provision doesn't go far enough."

    Congressman Jones and his colleague Congressman Thomas Massie (KY-4) have sent a letter to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan expressing appreciation for his support to end post-speaker offices, and reiterating the need for the House to eliminate, not reduce, the perk. The full letter to Speaker Ryan is attached.

    For additional information, please contact Allison Tucker in Congressman Jones' office at (202) 225-3415 or allison.tucker@mail.house.gov.