• Press Release

Congressional Felons Should Not Get Taxpayer-Subsidized Pensions

  • By: FW Staff
  • 08/02/2003

Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) is working to expose and eliminate Congress’ multi-million pension scheme that forces you to line the politicians’ pockets with your tax dollars.

While Congress ignores the looming crisis that threatens the retirement benefits you’ve been promised . . . and while the politicians even dip into your Social Security funds to pay for a flood of wasteful government spending, Members of Congress use taxpayer dollars to fund their own lavish pensions.

For example: Senator Tom Daschle– the Senate’s most powerful Liberal who is blocking efforts to protect your Social Security savings– is now eligible for a whopping $96,720 a year in pension payouts. That’s almost $100,000 a year paid with your tax dollars– money that could be used to strengthen your retirement– all for a politician who refuses to protect your retirement.

Many retired politicians will rake in more than $1 million in taxpayer-funded pensions. Some could draw more than $2 million. And get this: Lawmakers can retire with a full, guaranteed pension at age 50 after only 20 years of service. (Fast fact: Your Social Security benefits are not guaranteed and can be slashed at anytime!).

Even politicians who are convicted of a felony — even those who are forced to leave Congress because of corruption and wrongdoing — are allowed to collect their taxpayer-subsidized pensions. For example:

  • Dan Rostenkowski: He was convicted of stealing taxpayer funds. Voters kicked him out of Congress in 1994. Now he rakes in a pension of more than $100,000 per year.
  • John Dowdy: A Congressman from Texas, he went to jail on a perjury charge involving a $25,000 bribe. But he pulled in 40 times that amount — one MILLION dollars — in taxpayer-funded pensions after leaving the House in 1970.
  • Gary Condit: He left Congress in a cloud of shame and controversy over his affair with, and the unsolved disappearance of, a young Washington intern. But his pension is the real scandal. His take could reach as high as $721,603.

    • CSE is working closely with Representative Jeff Miller (R-FL), who has introduced legislation to end the pension giveaway to Members of Congress who are expelled from the institution. Rep. Miller’s Congressional Pension Accountability Act has the support of seven cosponsors, but much more support is needed. Please call the CSE Member hotline at 1-888-564-6273 to be connected with your Member of Congress, so that you can encourage them to sign on and support H.R. 1098.

    This bill is just the first step towards real change in the Congressional pension giveaway, and CSE will continue to fight for full reform, so stay tuned!

    Summary of H.R.1098: Congressional Pension Accountability Act

    Title: To provide that, if an individual is expelled from Congress, any Member service previously rendered by that individual shall be noncreditable for purposes of determining eligibility for or the amount of any benefits which might otherwise be payable out of the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund based on the service of that individual, and for other purposes.

    Sponsor: Rep Miller, Jeff [FL-1] (introduced 3/5/2003)

    Latest Major Action: 3/5/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    STATUS:

    3/5/2003:

    Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    3/5/2003:

    Referred to House Administration

    3/5/2003:

    Referred to House Government Reform

    Cosponsors

    Rep Brown-Waite, Ginny – 3/5/2003 [FL-5]

    Rep Coble, Howard – 3/5/2003 [NC-6]

    Rep Gibbons, Jim – 3/20/2003 [NV-2]

    Rep Hart, Melissa A. – 4/8/2003 [PA-4]

    Rep Pitts, Joseph R. – 3/5/2003 [PA-16]

    Rep Terry, Lee – 3/5/2003 [NE-2]

    Rep Wilson, Joe – 7/15/2003 [SC-2]

    WATCH NOW