Rep. Boebert Calls for Termination of Pensions for Former Reps

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) has pledged to work towards cancelling the pensions of former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas), who recently stepped down amid serious allegations of sexual assault and harassment.

Boebert announced on X that she is actively pursuing measures to ensure these individuals, whom she believes have misused their positions, lose their taxpayer-funded retirement benefits. “Former Congressman Eric Swalwell abused his position of power in Congress to assault and victimize women,” Boebert stated. “At this rate, taxpayers will be sending him tens of thousands of dollars every year for the rest of his life. This is completely unacceptable.”

After a long career in Congress, Swalwell is now enveloped in these troubling allegations. It’s significant to note that both Swalwell and Gonzalez qualify for federal retirement benefits under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which mandates at least five years of federal service.

Neither will begin receiving their pension until they reach the age of 62, with projections indicating they would draw around $22,000 annually for the duration of their lives.

Boebert expressed her discontent earlier in the week when speaking with a CNN reporter, suggesting that neither Swalwell nor Gonzalez should have been permitted to resign without consequences. Instead, she believes there should have been a vote to expel or censure them. “I think we need to really look at ways to denounce members from other sides that, after doing something so disgraceful to get one to resign, can’t just leave with all their taxpayer-funded benefits,” she remarked.

Historically, only six members of Congress have been expelled, and such a vote can be predicated on a lawmaker’s “disorderly conduct.”

Interestingly, members of Congress don’t automatically forfeit their pensions following impeachment or expulsion votes. Federal laws like the HISS Act and the STOCK Act of 2012 stipulate that pensions can only be revoked if conviction occurs for a crime committed during their congressional tenure.

Fox News Digital reached out to Boebert for additional details regarding her plan to revoke retirement benefits for former members.