Gibbons Calls For Taxpayer Dollars To Be Used Wisely, Yet Dennis Hastert Still On The Taxpayer Dime

Despite calling for taxpayer dollars be used wisely, Jim Gibbons (R-IA-03) enthusiastically invited Former Speaker Dennis Hastert to stump for his campaign. More than two years after leaving public office to become a lobbyist, former Republican Speaker Dennis Hastert continues to receive nearly $40,000 a month in taxpayer funded perks including an office, cell phone, staff, and an SUV.

“Keeping Former Speaker Dennis Hastert on the taxpayer dime while he works as a lobbyist is hardly what Iowans believe is a good use of their hard earned money,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan. “Republican Jim Gibbons should know he is only as good as the company he keeps, and by choosing to embrace Dennis Hastert his calls for fiscal restraint ring hallow.”

BACKGROUND:

Former Speaker Hastert will attend a Gibbons for Congress fundraiser today at the home of former Congressman Greg Ganske. [Gibbons for Congress release, 2/11/10]

Former Speaker Hastert maintains an office at taxpayer expense in Yorkville, Illinois. The perks that Speaker Hastert accepted include an office, cell phone, staff, and a leased SUV. All told, Hastert receives nearly $40,000 a month in benefits from the federal government. These taxpayer-funded benefits are entirely legal as long as Hastert does not make use of them in the course of his lobbying work. [Politico, 12/21/09]