[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 16 (Monday, February 10, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S1200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRESSIONAL PENSION DISCLOSURE ACT

 Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, today I join as a cosponsor of the 
Congressional Pension Disclosure Act of 1997. I commend Senator Abraham 
for his leadership in drafting this important legislation.
  This bill will require that detailed information about the pension of 
every Member of Congress be published twice a year as a part of a 
report on Congress that already is required by law. Under our proposal, 
each report would show how much a Member has contributed to his 
pension, how much he would receive if he retired, and any other 
information needed to enable the public to compute the Federal 
retirement benefits of each Member of Congress.
  I strongly support this step because the people have a right to know 
fully and completely how their Congress works and how the congressional 
pension system works. There should be nothing hidden here. Nothing 
should be difficult for the people to determine. No calculations of 
congressional pensions or other benefits should be murky or confusing.
  This bill will shine some sunlight on the congressional pension 
system. It will be another step toward restoring the confidence and 
trust of the American people in our National Legislature and in our 
system of self-government.

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