Bipartisan bill would strip pensions from lawmakers convicted of sexual assault, violent crimes
Apr 23, 2026, 5:27 PM
The U.S. Capitol building is shown on April 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Heather Diehl, Getty Images)
(Photo: Heather Diehl, Getty Images)
Rep. Emily Randall, D-Wash., is co-sponsoring a bipartisan bill to deny taxpayer-funded pensions to members of Congress convicted of sexual assault and other serious crimes.
The Congressional Pension Integrity Act would strip retirement benefits from lawmakers convicted of sex crimes, violent crimes, or major corruption offenses, or those who violate House rules by engaging in sexual relationships with staff.
The legislation follows the April 14 resignations of former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and former Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, both of whom stepped down ahead of threatened expulsion votes.
Swalwell faces accusations from at least four women alleging sexual misconduct ranging from unsolicited nude photos to sexual assault. Swalwell has denied the allegations.
Gonzales, meanwhile, admitted to an affair with a former staffer, who died by suicide in September 2025. It was revealed he solicited nude photos from the staffer via text, and a second former aide accused him of sexual misconduct.
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Current law doesn’t cover sexual assault or violent crimes
Under current law, neither faces charges that would trigger pension forfeiture, according to Randall. Existing rules strip pensions only for corruption-related convictions, such as bribery and treason, not for sexual assault or violent offenses.
“Sexual assault and harassment must be taken just as seriously as corruption and treason,” Randall said.
The bill would expand forfeiture triggers to include rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse of a minor, sex trafficking, crimes of violence, election fraud, embezzlement, obstruction of justice, and campaign finance violations.
“Survivors and the American people deserve a Congress that will stand up against sexual assault and misconduct — no matter how powerful the perpetrator,” Randall said.
The bill has not yet been scheduled for a committee hearing.
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