The Nation : House Votes Transition Funds for ’89

The House voted to provide $3.5 million to cover the transition expenses of the new President as he prepares to assume his official duties after the November election. The amount is a $1.5-million increase over the $2 million provided in 1980 for President-elect Ronald Reagan to put together his Administration and take over from President Jimmy Carter. The bill, which now goes to the Senate, also provides $1 million for the expenses of the outgoing President, the same as provided for Carter. The bill as reported out by the House Government Operations Committee would have continued to allow donations of money from private sources to help cover transition costs, but the House adopted an amendment by Rep. Robert S. Walker (R-Pa.) to bar such private funding. Walker argued that allowing private funds would give special interest groups undue influence during the critical period when a new Administration is being formed.