Why Doesn’t the First Lady Get Paid?
The role of First Lady of the United States is one of utmost responsibility. As the “unofficial hostess” of the White House and the President’s primary companion, people around the country, and the world, look to her as a role model and an example of what it means to be a leader. Despite all of the duties and responsibilities the First Lady has, one thing that is missing is a salary. So why doesn’t the First Lady get paid?
The Legality
Legally, the First Lady of the United States cannot be paid a salary. According to the US Constitution, the President alone is authorized to receive a salary because of the job they were elected to do. And, since the First Lady is not an elected position, she cannot receive the same compensation. Additionally, there is no set of guidelines to determine the First Lady’s duties or salary; instead, their position is left open for interpretation, which means that their role can change depending on the individual.
This lack of legal authority also affects White House staff members. Unlike other government employees, White House staff members cannot be paid a salary. Instead, they are given budgets, which may change depending on the funds the President or other Congress members approve.
Tax Deductions
But just because the First Lady does not receive a salary does not mean she’s not compensated in other ways. While the President of the United States receives a salary of $400,000 annually, the First Lady is actually given greater tax deductions. This means that she is not held responsible for the same taxes that everyone else is, which makes her financially more secure than others.
These tax deductions also cover other areas of the family’s finances, such as travel and security expenses. According to US Tax Code, the President and First Lady are both provided allowances for travel and other expenses related to their office. This means that the First Lady can travel freely and safely without having to go out of pocket for the costs.
Other Benefits of Being First Lady
In addition to tax deductions and travel expenses, the First Lady also receives a number of other benefits. For instance, the First Lady has the privilege to use the Camp David retreat in Maryland. This facility is used by the President and their families for weekend trips, as well as for larger official functions.
Furthermore, the White House provides a myriad of additional benefits for the First Lady. One such benefit is access to the White House chef, who is available to prepare meals at the First Family’s request. Additionally, the White House staff takes care of all the First Family’s needs, from housekeeping to laundry and anything else that might come up.
The Influence of the Presidential Office
Ultimately, the reason why the First Lady does not get paid likely has more to do with the influence of the Presidential Office, rather than any legal issues. While many argue that the First Lady is an unpaid employee, most people agree that the role has so much influence and importance that it should not be paid.
The First Lady of the United States is a highly respected and symbolic figure. Because of this, it can be argued that the position should not be reduced to simply an employee title and a paycheck. Instead, the First Lady should be seen as a leader and a role model, and someone who can set an example for the rest of the country.
The Impact of Charity
In addition to having influence and importance, the First Lady is also expected to do charity work in order to make a difference in the world. That being said, the White House does not have a public fund to pay for charity work, which means it comes out of pocket for the First Lady.
POTUS and FLOTUS also set up other programs for service, such as the Let Girls Learn initiative by the Obama Administration. This project aimed to provide education to young girls worldwide, and it was funded by the Obama family’s personal donations. It’s because of the charitable efforts of the First Lady and the President that these positive changes can be made.
While the First Lady of the United States is a highly important and influential position, she will never receive a salary. This is due to legal restrictions as well as the influence of the Presidential Office. However, even though the First Lady does not get paid, she still receives other benefits such as travel and security expenses, as well as tax deductions and access to the White House chef and staff. Additionally, she has the opportunity to do charity work and make a positive ill difference in the world, which often comes with a personal cost. Therefore, even though the first lady does not get paid, she still contributes and makes a difference.
