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Bipartisan Bill Bars Sex Offenders From Taxpayer Pensions

5/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York) introduced No Taxpayer-Funded Pensions for Sex Criminals Act to bar convicted sex offenders from pensions.
Ernst, a sexual-assault survivor, said allowing predators to collect taxpayer-funded pensions greenlights behavior, while Gillibrand called current pension eligibility for convicted employees outrageous.
The legislation follows the resignations of Rep. Eric Swalwell and Rep. Tony Gonzales over sexual-misconduct accusations, with only Swalwell eligible for a pension.

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Story summary

Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York) introduced No Taxpayer-Funded Pensions for Sex Criminals Act to bar convicted sex offenders from pensions.
Ernst, a sexual-assault survivor, said allowing predators to collect taxpayer-funded pensions greenlights behavior, while Gillibrand called current pension eligibility for convicted employees outrageous.
The legislation follows the resignations of Rep. Eric Swalwell and Rep. Tony Gonzales over sexual-misconduct accusations, with only Swalwell eligible for a pension.