Scoop: Senators target convicted lawmakers' pensions
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
A bipartisan pair of senators is pushing House leadership to consider a bill that would yank away taxpayer-funded pensions from lawmakers who are convicted of certain crimes connected to their official duties, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Sen. Bob Menendez's (D-N.J.) conviction this week on federal corruption charges has brought fresh attention to how members of Congress deal with criminal issues within their own ranks.
- Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) are calling on the House to pass their bill, the No CORRUPTION Act, which unanimously passed the Senate last year.
The big picture: Lawmakers convicted of crimes are currently allowed to collect their pensions as long as their appeals process plays out.
- Rosen and Scott said allowing convicted criminals to continue cashing in on those payments until their appeals are exhausted is unacceptable.
- The measure would allow pensions to be restored to lawmakers whose conviction is overturned by the courts but not to lawmakers who receive a presidential pardon.
Between the lines: Menendez, who has said he will appeal his conviction, is just one of a number of current and former lawmakers who could be affected by the bill.
- Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) was indicted earlier this year on charges of taking nearly $600,000 in foreign bribes.
- Former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) was expelled from the House last year after a damning Ethic Committee report and charges of wire fraud and money laundering.
- Both Cuellar and Santos have maintained their innocence and have yet to face trial.
What they're saying: Rosen and Scott — both of whom are seeking re-election this year — said in statements that the legislation is a no-brainer move to hold corrupt politicians accountable.
- "Hardworking Nevadans can't afford their tax dollars going to line the pockets of Washington politicians who have violated the public trust," Rosen said.
- ""If we are going to make Washington work for American families, we need real reforms that hold politicians accountable and protect American taxpayers," Scott said.
