[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 64 (Thursday, May 9, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H4660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RESTRICT PENSIONS FOR CONVICTED FORMER MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

  (Mr. DICKEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DICKEY. Mr. Speaker, according to the National Taxpayers Union, 
the citizens of this country will pay out in 1996 over $600,000 in 
pensions to convicted former Members of Congress. What kind of message 
is this to send out to the taxpayers, farmers, miners, all the workers, 
about how our Government operates?
  H.R. 3310 would restrict Members and former Members of Congress from 
receiving congressional retirement benefits if convicted of a felony 
which occurred while serving in the public trust. The bill would serve 
to punish Members who have taken advantage of the faith of the people 
who have placed upon them and Members involved in activities unrelated 
to official duties. Perhaps no other bill than H.R. 3310 will better 
indicate that this Congress is willing to change the way we do 
business.
  I urge all of my colleagues to consider the provisions of H.R. 3310.

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