[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 15 (Thursday, February 9, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KERRY (for himself and Mr. Salazar):
  S. 2268. A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to deny Federal 
retirement benefits to individuals convicted of certain offenses, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs.
  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, along with Senator Salazar, I am 
introducing the Congressional Pension Accountability Act, to deny 
Federal pensions to members of Congress who are convicted of white 
collar crimes such as bribery.
  I strongly believe that Members of Congress must be held to the 
highest ethical standards. This year, the Senate is expected to 
consider legislation to reform our ethics laws. This is in response to 
a series of scandals that have exposed Washington lobbyists and 
unfortunately even a Member of Congress who used undue and improper 
influence to represent special interests in their dealings with the 
Federal Government.
  Last year, the now infamous Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded 
guilty to conspiracy, mail fraud and tax evasion charges in a plea 
agreement. The Justice Department is currently investigating his 
attempts to influence Federal Government policy in both Congress and 
the Executive Branch.
  In the largest bribery case in the Congress since the 1980s, 
Representative Randy ``Duke'' Cunningham recently resigned from the 
House of Representatives after pleading guilty in Federal court to 
receiving $2.4 million in bribes from military contractors and evading 
more than $1 million in taxes. In a plea agreement, former 
Representative Cunningham admitted to a pattern of bribery lasting 
close to five years, with Federal contractors giving him Persian rugs, 
a Rolls-Royce, antique furniture, paying travel and hotel expenses, use 
of a yacht and a lavish graduation party for his daughter.
  As elected representatives, we must hold ourselves and all those who 
represent the Federal Government to the highest ethical standards. The 
principle is a simple one: public servants who abuse the public trust 
and are convicted of ethics crimes should not collect taxpayer financed 
pensions.
  Under current law, former Representative Cunningham and others 
convicted of serious ethics abuses will receive a Congressional pension 
of approximately $40,000 per year--paid for by American taxpayers. Only 
a conviction for a crime against the United States, such as treason or 
espionage, will cost a Member of Congress their pension. This law must 
be changed to ensure that Congress does not reward unethical behavior.
  The Congressional Pension Accountability Act will bar Members of 
Congress from receiving taxpayer-funded retirement benefits after they 
have been convicted of bribery or other serious ethics offenses.
  Together we can significantly improve our government by changing the 
way business is done in Washington. I believe this legislation will 
help ensure that our government once again responds to the needs of our 
people, not special interests.
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