Senate OKs $1.8 Million for Ex-Presidents : Legislation: The bill authorizing payment of pensions and expenses has been sent to Bush.

WASHINGTON — The Senate sent President Bush legislation today providing $1.8 million for pensions, office costs and other expenses of the nation’s four living former Presidents and Lady Bird Johnson.

On a voice vote, the Senate gave final congressional approval to a spending bill containing the money. There was no debate, and only four senators were in the chamber when the measure passed.

The House approved the legislation Tuesday on a 383-30 vote.

Under a 1958 law, the government each year provides former Presidents or their widows with pensions and money for office space, furnishings, equipment, staffs, telephone, mail and travel.

This year, the legislation provides $559,500 for Ronald Reagan, $387,800 for Jimmy Carter, $426,800 for Gerald R. Ford, $426,700 for Richard M. Nixon and $22,200 for the widow of Lyndon B. Johnson.

Each President’s annual pension is $99,500. Their other expenses vary.

The figures do not include the cost of Secret Service protection for the former chief executives and their families--expected to be $12.5 million this year.

There was no separate vote on the money for the former Presidents.

But at one point Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski (D-Pa.) complained about the costs, singling out Reagan’s plans to travel to Japan soon, reportedly to deliver two speeches for a $2-million fee. He said it was an “unmitigated atrocity” for Reagan to make such a trip with the help of taxpayers’ money.

“This Congress should examine whether we are too great in our largess in providing services and costs to former Presidents who engage in personal income endeavors,” he said.