The House of Representatives passed a bill on Monday to stop lawmakers convicted of corruption from receiving taxpayer-funded pensions. The bill was approved by a voice vote and sent to the White House. Under the current law, convicted lawmakers can still get pension payments while their case is going through the appeals process.
This loophole allows lawmakers to drag out the appeals process and keep getting paid. The No Corruption Act was introduced by Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Rick Scott (R-FL). It stops pension payments as soon as a lawmaker is found guilty.
The pension is only restored if an appeals court overturns the conviction. A presidential pardon is not enough to restore a lawmaker’s pension.
Ending corrupt lawmakers’ pensions
“For too long, corrupt Washington politicians have been exploiting a loophole in the system to continue to collect taxpayer-funded pensions even after they have been convicted of felonies,” Rosen said. Senator Scott added, “We must never stop working to hold elected officials accountable and protect taxpayers’ hard-earned money.”
The legislation only applies to lawmakers convicted after it becomes law. It gained support after recent corruption scandals in Congress.
Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was convicted in July of taking bribes. Ex-Representative George Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and identity theft in August. Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) is charged with accepting around $600,000 in bribes but maintains his innocence.
President [Name] has not commented on the legislation so far. It passed the Senate unanimously last year.
