Boebert Pushes To Strip Pensions From Swalwell, Gonzales After Resignations

Rep. Lauren Boebert said she is working to block taxpayer-funded pensions for former lawmakers Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales following their resignations amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

In a video posted to social media, Boebert argued that lawmakers accused of serious misconduct should not be allowed to retain long-term financial benefits funded by taxpayers. She said she is exploring legislative options to ensure individuals in similar situations lose access to federal retirement payouts.

Both former members are eligible for pensions under federal retirement systems such as the Federal Employees Retirement System and the Civil Service Retirement System, which generally require at least five years of service. Under current rules, those benefits are not accessible until age 62 and are estimated to total roughly $22,000 annually.

Boebert also said she believes resignation should not shield members of Congress from formal consequences, arguing that expulsion or censure votes would provide greater accountability. She suggested Congress should consider expanding penalties tied to misconduct to include the loss of benefits.

However, existing federal law sets a high bar for stripping pensions. Under statutes such as the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act and the STOCK Act, lawmakers generally only lose retirement benefits if they are convicted of specific crimes tied to their official duties.

Historically, expulsion from Congress has been rare, with only a handful of members removed through that process. Even in those cases, pension eligibility is not automatically revoked unless the legal criteria are met.

The proposal signals a broader push among some lawmakers to revisit how Congress handles misconduct and whether additional penalties should apply beyond resignation or internal discipline.