CREW Strongly Urges Senate to Pass Congressional Integrity & Pension Forfeiture Amend. to STOCK Act

Ethics, Governance & Legislation, STOCK Act, Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) urges the Senate to take up and pass the “Congressional Integrity and Pension Forfeiture” amendment to the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act (STOCK Act). This amendment, sponsored by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), would ensure that, going forward, no present or former Member of Congress convicted of a public corruption felony while serving in elected office – regardless of when it was committed – will receive federal pension benefits.

“Corrupt acts by public officials warrant serious consequences,” said CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan. “This amendment will ensure that taxpayers will no longer subsidize elected officials who abuse the public trust.”

The Blumenthal amendment adds 22 new public corruptions offenses to a law that revokes congressional pensions for convicted lawmakers. Importantly, it also ensures that former Members of Congress would forfeit their pensions if convicted of committing public corruption crimes while serving in any other elected office.

“Members need only look to disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich (D-IL) as a case and point for why this amendment needs to become law,” said Ms. Sloan.

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