Bipartisan bill would deny pensions to members expelled or resigning after ethics violations
A group of bipartisan representatives will introduce legislation that strips pension benefits from lawmakers who are expelled or resign after an ethics committee finds probable misconduct.
Four bipartisan lawmakers plan to introduce the Congressional Pension Accountability Act, which would forfeit pension benefits for members of Congress who are expelled or who resign after a House or Senate ethics committee determines there is substantial reason to believe they committed a serious violation. The legislation builds on a prior 2023 bill by adding two loophole closures: retaining investigation records when a member steps down and denying pensions to those who resign after a finding of misconduct.
The move follows the resignation of Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick after a guilty ethics finding and references other recent resignations, including those of Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales. Sponsors argue that taxpayers should not fund retirements for officials who betray public trust, and they note that a presidential pardon, such as the one granted to former member George Santos by Donald Trump, does not reinstate pension rights. The bill has yet to be voted on.
Why it matters
It aims to stop lawmakers who breach ethics from collecting taxpayer-funded pensions, tightening accountability in Congress.
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