WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. introduced the Eliminating Government-Funded Oil-Painting (EGO) Act in the U.S. Senate. First introduced in the House of Representatives in April 2013, the EGO Act bans taxpayer funds from being used for oil paintings for the President, Vice President, Cabinet members and Members of Congress. These portraits can often cost $20,000-$40,000. The EGO Act was included in the omnibus spending bills for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015.
Dr. Cassidy offered the following statement:
“When America is trillions of dollars in debt, we should take every reasonable measure to reduce the burden passed on to our children and grandchildren. Tax dollars should go to building roads and improving schools—not oil paintings that very few people ever see or care about. Congress has passed the EGO Act before, let’s pass it again.”
What they’re saying:
“Among the perks of public office include a fancy oil painting that will hang for eternity in some government building somewhere. Rep. Bill Cassidy wants to change that.” (Politico, Bill Cassidy targets costly oil paintings, 7-17-13)
“Cassidy proposed the bill in late April after reports surfaced that the Environmental Protection Agency spent $38,350 on an oil on canvas portrait of former EPA administrator Lisa Jackson. Reports from the Washington Times and ABC News indicated that the Obama administration had spent nearly $400,000 on portraits of agency directors and Cabinet secretaries since 2010.” (Washington Post, The government pays tens of thousands of dollars for portraits of high officials. Should it?, 6-20-13)
“If Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-La., has his way, taxpayer-funded oil paintings that commemorate federal officials – some at $40,000 a pop – will soon be a thing of the past. …‘Wouldn’t it bug you if the federal government was spending $40,000 on oil paintings when everyone is tightening their belt?’ Cassidy tells Whispers…” (U.S.News, Stroke of Genius? Congressman’s EGO Act Would Ban Expensive Oil Portraits,, 4-23-13)
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