[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 91 (Thursday, June 7, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H6166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRESSMEN CONVICTED OF FELONIES STILL COLLECT PENSION CHECKS IN JAIL
(Mr. KIRK asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, taxpayers should know that Members of Congress
convicted of a felony still collect their pension checks in jail.
Congress took no action to kill pensions for congressional felons in
February, no action in March, April or May.
Now, Congressman Jefferson was indicted this week; and, if convicted,
a nine-term Congressman would get $50,000 payments each year from the
U.S. taxpayer. That would be on top of $125,000 payments to
Representative Rostenkowski, $86,000 payments to Senator Durenberger,
$64,000 payments to Representative Cunningham and $40,000 payments to
Representative Traficant. In total, American taxpayers pay over
$480,000 each year to Congressmen convicted of a felony.
The time for reform has come.
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