House Bill Would Cap $1M Annual Allowance For Former Presidents

FILE - This Sept. 8, 2014, file photo shows former Presidents Bill Clinton, left, and George W. Bush, as they laugh together during the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program Launch, at The Newseum in Washington. ... FILE - This Sept. 8, 2014, file photo shows former Presidents Bill Clinton, left, and George W. Bush, as they laugh together during the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program Launch, at The Newseum in Washington. Again? Really? There are more than 300 million people in America, yet the same two families keep popping up when it comes to picking a president. The possibility of a Bush-Clinton matchup in 2016 is increasingly plausible. After months of hints and speculation, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush last week said he's actively exploring a bid for the Republican nomination. And while Hillary Rodham Clinton hasn't revealed her intentions, she's seen as the odds-on favorite for the Democratic nomination. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) MORE LESS
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WASHINGTON (AP) — A House panel has approved a bipartisan bill that would limit expenses for former presidents who earn more than $400,000 a year.

Former presidents receive a pension of more than $200,000 a year, plus annual expenses that can add up to more than $1 million for office space and other costs.

On a voice vote, the House Oversight panel backed the measure on Tuesday to limit taxpayer dollars for expenses, including travel.

Former President Bill Clinton received $950,000 from taxpayers last year, while George W. Bush received $1.3 million, mostly for office space.

Both Clinton and Bush have earned millions in speaking fees since leaving office. Clinton and former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton said they earned more than $30 million since January 2014.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  1. Index it to GDP and unemployment over their term.

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