Committee Reports Paul Returned Taxpayers' Funds Again In 1999 PDF Print E-mail
FOR RELEASE: September 26, 2000

Committee Reports Paul Returned Taxpayers' Funds Again In 1999 Congressman Spent Less Than House Allowance, Refused Pension, Returned Over $35,000 To Treasury

Washington, D.C.-Today, Representative Ron Paul received a letter from the Committee on House Administration informing him that he had once again spent less than the budgeted amount in 1999. Each year, House members are granted an allowance to staff their congressional offices and pay expenses. The Administration Committee letter confirmed that Paul returned more than $35,000 to Treasury coffers in 1999. Paul similarly has returned funds to the Treasury each year since becoming the Representative for the 14th district of Texas in 1997.
Paul is well known as a strong voice for fiscal responsibility in Congress, consistently voting against spending measures and unconstitutional appropriations. Paul has lived by his anti-spending credo, refusing to participate in the lucrative congressional pension system. Returning to the House in 1997, Paul criticized the pension system as "immoral" and "wasteful." "The pension is one reason why so many politicians stay in Washington so long: they get a better retirement plan from the government than they could ever get from an honest job back home," Paul stated.
Despite his frugal approach, Paul has been effective in providing constituent services in his district. He routinely earns praise from constituents, who appreciate the direct and timely approach taken by Paul and his staff when addressing various concerns. In 1997 Paul created a "mobile office" (in the form of a minivan), which travels to smaller rural communities and provides residents an opportunity to meet with a staff member and voice concerns. He also appears regularly at a wide variety of functions throughout his district, preferring to spend time in his district when the House is not in session. "I'm not interested in going out to dinner with lobbyists," Paul laughed. "I'm happier in Texas."
Paul was pleased but not surprised when apprised of his own "budget surplus." "I want to reduce government spending and reduce taxes," Paul stated. The federal government, including Congress, could operate with a much smaller budget. I am glad to do my part by returning unspent funds each year to the Treasury. I will continue to serve my constituents in a fiscally responsible fashion, and I will never waste their tax dollars."