Duval Times

The No Congressionally Obligated Recurring Revenue Used As Pensions To Incarcerated Officials Now (No CORRUPTION) Act is a bipartisan bill aimed at closing a major loophole in federal law that allows convicted politicians to continue collecting federal pensions. The Senate unanimously passed the bill, and it now awaits a vote in the House.

The loophole in question stems from well-intentioned laws passed over a decade ago. In 2007, Congress passed the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (HLOGA) after a scandal involving former lawmakers convicted of serious criminal charges who were still eligible for taxpayer-funded pensions worth nearly $800,000 in total. HLOGA specified that conviction for several corruption-related crimes would lead to forfeiture of a congressional pension. The Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act (STOCK) of 2012 added additional crimes that would strip members of their pension.

However, under these laws, former members of Congress convicted of a felony only forfeit their pensions upon final conviction, meaning after exhausting their appeals. This allows convicted politicians to file one appeal after another, dragging out the legal process for several years, all the while continuing to collect their pensions even after being sentenced to federal prison.

The National Taxpayers Union Foundation discovered this loophole after confirming that former Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Penn.) remained eligible for his estimated $55,000 pension one year after his conviction in 2016. Since the passage of HLOGA and the STOCK Act, no members of Congress have been confirmed to have forfeited their pensions.

Recently, former Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) was convicted of an insider trading scheme and sentenced to 22 months in prison. Despite this conviction, Buyer could still be eligible for an annual pension worth up to $48,000, plus cost-of-living adjustments.

Another member facing legal trouble is Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), who was indicted for corruption and operating as a foreign agent. These charges could potentially strip Menendez of his estimated $70,100 congressional pension.

To address this issue, the No CORRUPTION Act would cut off pension eligibility upon initial conviction, preventing corrupt politicians from receiving taxpayer payments. The bill would also ensure that convicted former members of Congress who receive a presidential pardon would not receive their pensions unless their convictions are overturned by a court.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) emphasizes the importance of holding elected officials accountable and protecting taxpayers' money. He states, "Those who serve in Congress should be held to the highest standards, reflecting the immense responsibility entrusted to our public servants."

The No CORRUPTION Act has garnered bipartisan support, with Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) introducing it in the House. The bill aims to make Washington work for American families by implementing real reforms that end the current dysfunction.

In conclusion, the No CORRUPTION Act seeks to close the loophole that allows convicted politicians to collect federal pensions. The bill has already passed the Senate unanimously and awaits a vote in the House. If successful, this legislation would ensure that corrupt politicians are held accountable and taxpayer money is protected.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2023/12/closing-a-corruption-loophole