If this is enacted, I believe we will be seeing a reasonable penalty imposed upon those convicted of official corruption.

With disgraced former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham eligible to collect a congressional pension from behind bars, the Senate on Friday voted to deny taxpayer-funded retirement benefits to lawmakers convicted in the future of serious ethics offenses.

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"The best way to restore and rebuild the trust of the American people is to ensure that we stand firmly against members of Congress who betray the public trust," said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., the measure's sponsor. The legislation would not apply retroactively. Kerry said such a law would be unconstitutional.

Cunningham, of California, is serving an eight-year prison term after pleading guilty to taking $2.4 million in bribes from defense contractors who sought earmarks and to evading more than $1 million in taxes. He is eligible for an estimated $64,000 annual pension with his military service, including $36,000 a year from his eight terms in Congress.

An attorney for Cunningham declined comment.

The measure enjoys strong bipartisan support in the House.

"The fact that the Senate passed it puts a lot of pressure on the House to do the same," said Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., sponsor of a similar measure in the House.
At least 20 former lawmakers convicted of crimes are eligible for taxpayer-funded pensions, some as high as $125,000 a year, according to the National Taxpayers Union, which supports denying pensions to lawmakers turned felons.

Interestingly enough, the public doesnÂ’t get to know how much these taxpayer-funded pensions for elected officials cost the nation each year.

Posted by: Greg at 04:34 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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