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Subramanyam leads effort to reform congressional pensions
Proposal seeks to expand pension forfeiture rules to include sexual misconduct and violent crimes.
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Malvika Choudhary - Wed, 22, Apr 2026
- 15:14 EDT
- 25
Suhas Subramanyam / A screen grab of Congressman Suhas Subramanyan speaking on the House floor
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) on April 21 introduced a bipartisan bill seeking to bar members of Congress convicted of serious crimes from receiving taxpayer-funded pensions.
The proposed Congressional Pension Integrity Act, co-introduced by Anna Paulina Luna (R-RL) would expand existing restrictions to include sexual offenses, violent crimes, corruption, and misconduct involving congressional staff.
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“Members of Congress should be held to a high standard and serve as an example to their constituents, not embarrass the institution with criminal behavior and sex crimes. Taxpayers should not have to pay pensions to Members who commit heinous crimes while serving in office, but right now we do. This bill changes that and provides real accountability,” Subramanyam said.
The legislation comes amid scrutiny over accountability standards for elected officials. Under current law, some lawmakers convicted of crimes may still retain pension benefits, as forfeiture provisions primarily apply to specific corruption-related offenses.
The bill seeks to expand disqualification to include offenses such as sexual assault, rape, sexual abuse of a minor, sex trafficking, violent crimes, bribery, election fraud, embezzlement, mail fraud, obstruction of justice, and campaign finance violations.
It also applies to members who violate House rules by engaging in sexual relationships with staff or committing harassment or assault.
Luna said the measure addresses gaps in existing law. “No Member of Congress who is convicted of sexual assault should continue to benefit from taxpayer-funded pensions. Regardless of party, this is basic accountability and something we should all agree on,” she said.
Co-sponsors include Lauren Boebert, Emily Randall, Nancy Mace, and James Walkinshaw.
“Americans are sick of being let down by the people elected to represent them,” Randall said. “We already strip taxpayer funded pensions from Members convicted of corruption, bribery, and treason – sexual assault and harassment must be taken just as seriously.”
The legislation has drawn support from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). Debra Perlin, the organization’s vice president for policy, said lawmakers who commit violent criminal offenses should not continue receiving taxpayer-funded pensions.
Congressional pensions are part of the federal retirement system, with lawmakers eligible after meeting age and service requirements. Existing rules, strengthened through prior ethics reforms, allow pension revocation in limited cases, but do not consistently cover sexual misconduct or certain violent offenses.
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