Senator Josh Hawley has introduced legislation that would strip federal pensions from any member of Congress convicted of a felony sex crime — a bill that landed in Washington at a moment when two House members had just resigned over separate sexual misconduct allegations.
The No Pensions for Congressional Predators Act
Hawley introduced the No Pensions for Congressional Predators Act on April 16, 2026. The bill targets a specific and long-standing gap in federal law: right now, a member of Congress can be convicted of a felony sex crime and still collect a taxpayer-funded pension after leaving office. Hawley’s legislation would close that loophole entirely.
Under existing federal law, members of Congress do forfeit their pensions for certain felony convictions — but no provision specifically covers sex crimes. Hawley’s bill would add that provision, making a felony sex crime conviction grounds for permanent pension forfeiture. The bill applies to any member convicted going forward; it would not retroactively strip benefits from members who left Congress before passage.
The Resignations That Triggered the Push
The bill arrived in the wake of two high-profile congressional departures. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) resigned after being accused of sexually assaulting a former staffer. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) also resigned amid separate sexual misconduct allegations. Both members left voluntarily — neither has been convicted of any crime, and Swalwell has publicly denied the allegations against him.
The timing put a spotlight on the pension question. Under current law, both men were entitled to their federal pension benefits regardless of the allegations against them — because no law tied pension eligibility to sex crime accusations or convictions. Hawley’s bill would not change the outcome for Swalwell or Gonzales, since it requires an actual criminal conviction. But it drew a clear line for future cases.
Hawley’s Case for the Bill
“Right now, a member of Congress can be convicted of sexual abuse and still receive a taxpayer-funded pension. That is unacceptable,” Hawley said in a statement. “I’m introducing legislation to end this loophole and ensure that lawmakers are never compensated with taxpayer dollars after such a breach of trust. The only thing the government should be paying for is a jail cell for these people.”
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) echoed the sentiment, arguing that Swalwell and Gonzales should have been expelled from Congress rather than allowed to tender quiet resignations. She called on leadership to strip benefits from members who depart under allegations of misconduct — a step that Hawley’s bill would partially address, at least for those ultimately convicted.
What Happens Next
The bill now heads to committee. Whether Republican leadership schedules it for a vote is the open question. Legislation like this often earns broad rhetorical support but stalls in committee — particularly when the political incentives shift or leadership decides the timing isn’t right. Hawley, who has built a brand around populist accountability, has a track record of introducing high-visibility bills that force colleagues to take a public position.
What This Means for Americans
Taxpayers currently have no legal guarantee that their money won’t fund the retirement of a member of Congress convicted of a sex crime. If this bill passes, that changes. It’s a narrow fix, but a direct one — and the question of whether Congress members should be held to the same standards as everyone else is one that cuts across party lines. Whether the Senate acts on it or lets it die in committee will say something about how seriously Washington takes its own accountability problem.
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