{"id":2654473,"date":"2026-09-04T07:41:02","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T11:41:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bipartisan-group-introduces-bill-to-strip-pensions-of-embattled-members\/"},"modified":"2026-09-04T07:42:40","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T11:42:40","slug":"bipartisan-group-introduces-bill-to-strip-pensions-of-embattled-members","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bipartisan-group-introduces-bill-to-strip-pensions-of-embattled-members\/","title":{"rendered":"Bipartisan group introduces bill to strip pensions of embattled members"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbipartisan-group-introduces-bill-to-strip-pensions-of-embattled-members%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2654473&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A bipartisan group of lawmakers plans to introduce legislation that would strip members of their taxpayer-funded pensions if they are expelled or resign following an ethics inquiry that finds substantial reason to believe they committed a violation. The bill aims to close loopholes allowing resigning members to retain pensions and to ensure accountability, especially considering recent scandals. It also would preserve ethics investigation records for former members who resign during investigations and clarify that presidential pardons do not restore pension benefits. The legislation builds on earlier efforts to prevent members found guilty of misconduct from receiving pensions, promoting transparency and accountability for lawmakers who breach public trust.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>EXCLUSIVE \u2014<\/strong> A group of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bipartisanship\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1709\">bipartisan<\/a> lawmakers will introduce <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/legislation\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"14\">legislation<\/a> Friday to strip members of their taxpayer-funded pensions if an ethics committee investigation finds substantial reason to believe they committed a violation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bill comes during a tumultuous <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\">Congress<\/a> in which a slew of scandals have plagued <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/capitol-hill\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"2382\">Capitol Hill<\/a>.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4712692\/bipartisan-group-targets-pensions-lawmakers-guilty-ethics-violations\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Bipartisan group targets taxpayer-funded pensions of lawmakers found guilty of ethics violations<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4713226\/suhas-subramanyam-fbi-wiretap-louise-lucas\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Virginia Democrat says FBI tapped phone as part of Louise Lucas investigation<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4712906\/leon-black-lawsuit-house-oversight-committee-epstein-tax-advice\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Leon Black lawsuit delivers setback to House oversight committee\u2019s Epstein investigation<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The legislation, introduced by Reps. Zach Nunn (R-IA), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Young Kim (R-CA), and Angie Craig (D-MN), would strip members who are expelled or resign following an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ethics\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1012\">ethics<\/a> committee investigation of their pension. The bill expands on legislation previously introduced by Nunn, Craig, and Pappas in 2023, which would bar expelled members from receiving a pension. That bill never became law.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bill introduced Friday comes in response to Florida Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned when the House Ethics Committee found her guilty of campaign finance violations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nunn said he wants to close two loopholes his previous legislation did not address. First, ongoing ethics investigation records would be preserved if a member resigns. Members would also not receive pensions if they resign after the committee found an ethics violation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI first introduced this bill after George Santos was expelled, because members found unfit to serve are also unfit to receive a taxpayer-funded pension,\u201d Nunn said. \u201cSince then, we\u2019ve seen members resign in the middle of investigations into serious misconduct, exposing a serious loophole in the current system where resignation is the end of accountability. This bipartisan bill closes both loopholes, restoring accountability and ensuring taxpayers aren\u2019t on the hook for the pensions of politicians who break the public trust.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under current rules, members of Congress who resign are allowed to keep the perks and privileges afforded to a former member of Congress, even if a finalized ethics committee report finds guilt. The most significant of those perks is a taxpayer-funded pension.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Congressional Pension Accountability Act would forfeit members\u2019 pensions not only when they are expelled, but when they resign after the House or Senate ethics committee has determined there is reason to believe they committed a serious violation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bill would also preserve ethics investigation records when a member resigns while under investigation, allowing the documents to be available if the former member tries to make a return. Cherfilus-McCormick made another run after resigning but lost in the primary. The preservation would apply to former members such as California Democrat Eric Swalwell and Texas Republican Tony Gonzales, who were both accused of sexual misconduct and resigned this Congress amid House Ethics Committee investigations.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The legislation would clarify that a presidential pardon or commutation does not restore the benefits.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMembers of Congress whose behavior rises to the high bar set for expulsion, particularly those who have been found to have defrauded their constituents and abused the privileges of their office, shouldn\u2019t be able to retire on the taxpayer\u2019s dime,\u201d Pappas said. \u201cOur government must always be accountable to the people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4712105\/jeffries-sneakers-capitol-hill-speakers-lobby\/\">JEFFRIES OPEN TO CHANGING CAPITOL RULES SO LAWMAKERS CAN WEAR SNEAKERS IN THE SPEAKER\u2019S LOBBY<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since 1946, lawmakers with at least five years in office or other federal service can qualify for a taxpayer-funded pension.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New York Republican George Santos was the last person to be expelled from the House in 2023 by his colleagues following a slew of federal charges and was later sentenced to serve nearly seven years in prison. He was released after about three months when President Donald Trump pardoned. He does not qualify for a pension since he did not reach five years of service.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bipartisan bill aims to revoke pensions after ethics violations<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3691,"featured_media":2654474,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-collage-md3qnodmo-1788466341634-e1788472301515.jpg?1788456177&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[3667,5045,4762,19181,5894],"class_list":["post-2654473","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-bipartisan","tag-government","tag-legislation","tag-pensions","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-collage-md3qnodmo-1788466341634-e1788472301515.jpg?1788456177&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2654473","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3691"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2654473"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2654473\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2654476,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2654473\/revisions\/2654476"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2654474"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2654473"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2654473"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2654473"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}