Amid public criticism for lawmakers receiving the US$30,000 meant for legislative engagements, Senate Pro-tempore Albert Chie has vowed that members of the Legislature will continue to receive said money in the national budget.
Addressing legislative reporters following the official closure of the 4th Session of the Legislature Tuesday in Monrovia, Senator Chie stressed that members of the Legislature will still allocate the US$30K in the national budget during every budget year.
According to the Senate Pro-tempore Chie, members of the Legislature only depend on the Legislative Engagements fund placed in the national budget which enable them to address some concerns of their constituents and other key projects within their respective counties.
He further noted that in accordance with the Liberian Constitution, the salaries, benefits and programs of Senators should be founded from the national budget, adding that it has come to their attention that some citizens become angry when funding from the national budget becomes available for their programs.
When quizzed about a US$2M placed in the recent special budget under the caption, “Legislative Upstanding Action”, the Senate Pro-tempore termed the Legislative Upstanding Action as a subset of the US$30K for Legislative Engagements.
Meanwhile, the Senate Pro-tempore disclosed that during the Fourth Sitting, the total of 60 bills were officially passed, adding that there are still some crucial bills in Committee Room.
He also lauded the country’s international partners for their contributions to the Liberian government, including the health sector in the fight against the global coronavirus pandemic.
Pro-tempore Chie further thanked President George Weah and his fellow members of the Liberian Senate for working in the interest of ordinary citizens.
