Iowa GOP Sen. Joni Ernst on Monday introduced two bills that look to prevent taxpayer money from going to presidential campaigns, and reduce presidential compensation packages, in order to help bring down the national debt.
The first bill, titled the “ELECT” Act, would eliminate the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, which has roughly $400 million in its pocket. The act would use those funds to reduce the national debt, which is currently over $36 trillion.
“As a Presidents’ Day gift, I am working to defund the $400 million welfare for politicians slush fund and use it to pay down the $36 trillion national debt,” the senator wrote on X. ” The last thing we need to spend tax dollars on is more political attack ads.”
The second legislation is titled the “Presidential Allowance Modernization Act,” and would reduce perks for former presidents, including travel expenses and office space. But presidential pensions, security and allowances would remain.
“From speaking gigs to Netflix deals and much more, former presidents have been raking in the dough,” Ernst said. “This Presidents’ Day, I am defending the integrity of the office by ending taxpayer handouts and perks for former presidents.”
Ernst, who is currently the chairwoman of the Senate DOGE Caucus, has promised to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in Washington, D.C.
Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.
