[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 21]
[House]
[Page 28271]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HELP DEFEND THE RESPECT OF CONGRESS

  (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, as elected officials, we hold ourselves to the 
highest standards. As Members of Congress, we pledge to defend the 
Constitution and uphold the laws of the United States. We are elected 
to serve the public trust. A breach of law by a Member of Congress is a 
serious offense that should have very serious consequences.
  Taxpayers should not pay for the retirement benefits of a Member of 
Congress convicted of a felony. That is why I am introducing the 
Congressional Integrity Act of 2005, to restore trust in the Congress. 
It is joined by 12 other majority Members, moderates and conservatives 
for reform.
  This important ethics legislation will lead us back to integrity in 
public life. The Congressional Integrity Act of 2005 would deny a 
congressional pension to any Member convicted and denied final appeal 
on a range of crimes directly related to their public duties, including 
bribery, including illegal compensation, including fraud, solicitation 
and tax evasion.
  Mr. Speaker, similar legislation passed the House in 1996 by a vote 
of 391-32. It is time to finally pass this important reform.

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