Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) introduced H.R. 8373, the No Taxpayer-Funded Pensions for Sex Criminals Act, along with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06). This legislation would prohibit the payment of pensions to civil servants who are convicted of certain sex crimes. Senator Joni Ernst (IA) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) sponsored the U.S. Senate companion of this bill.

This legislation comes in the wake of disturbing revelations about sexual misconduct within federal agencies. Recent investigations have uncovered a toxic and sexualized workplace at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).Moreover, the recent sentencing of former FDIC senior attorney Mark Black to 20 years in prison for egregious child exploitation charges emphasizes the urgent need for reform.

Congressman Pete Sessions stated, "Federal employees who commit egregious sex crimes should not be rewarded with taxpayer-funded pensions. This bill will ensure that individuals convicted of such offenses are held accountable and are not supported by the hard-earned money of American citizens. I thank my colleagues Senator Ernst and Congresswoman Houlahan for supporting this important effort to hold government employees to a higher standard."

“The federal government should be committed to serving the American people, not the Wild West of inappropriate conduct. Our bipartisan bill would create real consequences to end bad behavior and send a signal that sexual predators are not welcome in the federal government. Through this effort, we can better protect women in the workplace and restore the integrity of public service,” said Senator Ernst, a survivor of sexual assault.

Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan added, "The vast, vast majority of federal employees serve our communities with distinction, uphold their promise to serve on behalf of the American people, and deserve their hard-earned benefits. But when that sacred promise is broken, the consequences must be severe. That's why Representative Sessions, Senators Gillibrand and Ernst, and I are introducing the No Taxpayer-Funded Pensions for Sex Criminals Act. By preventing federal employees convicted of egregious sex crimes like human trafficking and child pornography from collecting their pensions, the public can trust that their tax-payer dollars are appropriately spent."

“It’s outrageous and downright wrong that federal employees convicted of sex crimes are eligible to collect their taxpayer-funded pension,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The bipartisan No Taxpayer-Funded Pensions for Sex Criminals Act would prohibit federal employees convicted of sex offenses from collecting pensions. It’s a commonsense bill that will strengthen and improve the workplace.”

You can find the bill text here.