From franking to furniture, ex-Speakers keep perks

While in office, Speakers of the House of Representatives have perhaps the biggest stake in what happens in the legislative branch of government. They also have an office in the Capitol and a higher salary than rank-and-file members. But when they step down, they enjoy some lesser-known perks.

Upon retirement from Capitol Hill, a former Speaker gets more than the average representative, though only for five years.

{mosads}There’s franked mail, an office and a staff, all to help the head honcho close out.

For instance, upon retirement, a former Speaker receives an “allowance” (equal to a Member’s Representational Allowance) for maintaining an office, according to U.S. Code.

He or she can maintain one office in any location in the United States to settle matters. The office is furnished by the government.

However, the goodie comes with a caveat: It does not apply to any former Speaker who holds an “appointive or elective office or position” in the federal government, nor to one who has been expelled from Congress.

A former Speaker also may send and receive franked mail.

Staffers close to a Speaker also may be in luck.

U.S. Code stipulates that a former Speaker is allowed to retain an administrative assistant, and two secretaries, on salary (some constraints apply), “to provide staff assistance to the Speaker in connection with the administration, settlement and conclusion of matters pertaining to or arising out of his incumbency in office.”

And yes, Mrs. Pelosi, the U.S. Code still reads “his incumbency.” Until Jan. 4, when Pelosi (D-Calif.) was sworn in as Speaker, there had never been a female to hold that position.
Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) did not utilize the congressional perks, according to a source familiar with the benefits.

It is rumored that former Speaker Tom Foley (D-Wash.) did take advantage of the sweeteners of his leadership post for a few years before becoming ambassador to Japan. But, as of press time, Foley was traveling and unavailable for comment.

The benefits were established in the 1970s, but not until 1993 was there a sunset regulation established for Speaker’s benefits.

The Speaker makes $212,100 a year. The majority and minority leaders each make $183,500 annually, an employee familiar with member benefits said. Lawmakers make $165,200 per year.
If Pelosi were to retire today, she would receive about a $75,000-a-year pension, according to a calculation by the Hill. If Republican Rep. Dennis Hastert (Ill.) — the longest-serving Speaker — were to retire today, he would receive almost $80,000 a year.

Speculation abounds that Hastert, now a rank-and-file member of the House, will retire. He is still eligible for the benefits.

A Hastert spokeswoman said that he is still contemplating whether or not he will retire and has not given serious thought to the benefits.

“It’s a little premature,” his spokeswoman, Lulu Blacksmith, said. “He hasn’t really been thinking about benefits.”

In the 20th century, Speakers Joseph Cannon (R-Ill.) and Joseph Martin (R-Mass.) returned to the rank and file, according to Matt Wasniewski, senior historian at the Office of History and Preservation.

Many others, including Foley, Carl Albert (D-Okla.) and Tip O’Neill (D-Mass.), retired from political life to follow private pursuits

Perks for a rank-and-file member are not quite what they are for the Speaker.

When a lawmaker retires, he or she is allowed to go onto the House floor as long as he or she is not a registered lobbyist or an agent of a foreign principal and does not have a direct interest in any matter being discussed on the floor. A member also is allowed to purchase his or her desk (for $1,000) and chair (for $500), according to a Congressional Research Office (CRS) report published last August. The chief administrative officer of the House will also help retiring members ship official papers and records to offices in their district.

Franking privileges are in effect for retiring members, but only for 90 days after they leave office, the CRS report says. Mail will be forwarded for 90 days, and they also can use CRS resources, though they cannot request a report. Retiring members are given priority if testifying before Congress.

But the Speaker’s role is no small one. He or she stands second in line to become president — behind the vice president — if anything were to happen to the commander in chief.

The Speaker maintains three roles in the House: as a representative for his or her district, as a leader of his or her party and as a leader of the House, according to the Speaker’s website.

Typically a member of the majority party, the Speaker is elected by lawmakers to preside over the House.

Responsibilities include: calling the House to order; administering the oath of office to members of the House; presiding over debate; allowing members to speak on the floor or delegating that power to other lawmakers; determining the legislative agenda; appointing committee chairmen and members; and picking members for conference committees, which negotiate final versions of legislation with Senate negotiators.

For fiscal year 2008, the Speaker’s Office is set to receive $4,761,000, according to legislative-branch appropriations figures. The Speaker’s Office for legislative floor activities could get nearly $500,000 next fiscal year.