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Ernst, Gillibrand Cut Off Sex Offenders’ Pensions

Bipartisan, bicameral legislation takes away taxpayer-funded pensions from sex criminals.

WASHINGTON – In the face of reports of criminal misconduct at federal agencies, like the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced the No Taxpayer-Funded Pensions for Sex Criminals Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to prohibit sex criminals from collecting taxpayer-funded pensions.

Under current law, federal employees convicted of sex crimes, including against children, remain eligible to collect their taxpayer-funded pension, even from a jail cell. The senators are taking action to protect innocent federal employees, create a healthier working environment, and enforce real consequences to bad behavior in the workplace.

“The federal government should be committed to serving the American people, not the Wild West of inappropriate conduct. Our bipartisan bill would create real consequences to end bad behavior and send a signal that sexual predators are not welcome in the federal government. Through this effort, we can better protect women in the workplace and restore the integrity of public service,” said Senator Ernst, a survivor of sexual assault.

“It’s outrageous and downright wrong that federal employees convicted of sex crimes are eligible to collect their taxpayer-funded pension,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The bipartisan No Taxpayer-Funded Pensions for Sex Criminals Act would prohibit federal employees convicted of sex offenses from collecting pensions. It’s a commonsense bill that will strengthen and improve the workplace.”

U.S. Senators John Kennedy (R-La.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) joined Ernst and Gillibrand in introducing this legislation. Representatives Pete Sessions (R-Texas) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) are leading this effort in the House.

"Federal employees who commit egregious sex crimes should not be rewarded with taxpayer-funded pensions. This bill will ensure that individuals convicted of such offenses are held accountable and are not supported by the hard-earned money of American citizens. I thank my colleagues Senator Ernst and Congresswoman Houlahan for supporting this important effort to hold government employees to a higher standard,” said Congressman Pete Sessions.

"The vast, vast majority of federal employees serve our communities with distinction, uphold their promise to serve on behalf of the American people, and deserve their hard-earned benefits. But when that sacred promise is broken, the consequences must be severe," said Congresswoman Houlahan. "That's why Representative Sessions, Senators Gillibrand and Ernst, and I are introducing the No Taxpayer-Funded Pensions for Sex Criminals Act. By preventing federal employees convicted of egregious sex crimes like human trafficking and child pornography from collecting their pensions, the public can trust that their tax-payer dollars are appropriately spent."

Background:

Ernst and Gillibrand previously worked together on the Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act to create a more professional and transparent military justice system for serious crimes, including rape and sexual assault.

Following reports of sexual harassment and discrimination at the FDIC, Ernst was one of the first senators to call for FDIC Chair Martin Gruenberg’s resignation. In November 2023, she followed up by conducting critical oversight of this behavior at the FDIC and demanding any evidence of criminal wrongdoing by agency employees be turned over to the Department of Justice and local law enforcement for potential prosecution.

After last week’s third-party investigation into the FDIC’s workplace culture, Ernst called for real consequences and the Department of Justice to investigate the agency from top to bottom.

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