Sex crimes could cost lawmakers taxpayer-funded pensions under Hawley’s new proposal

By Fox News · Fox News

FIRST ON FOX – A Senate Republican wants to prevent lawmakers convicted of sex crimes from receiving their taxpayer-funded retirements after leaving office. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is introducing new legislation , first obtained by Fox News Digital, to close a gap in federal law that strips pensions for some felonies, but not sexual abuse. It comes as Congress is having another reckoning over their members' actions after sexual misconduct and rape allegations this month against two House lawmakers resulted in their back-to-back resignations. SENATOR GALLEGO SAYS LONGTIME FRIENDSHIP WITH SWALWELL 'CLOUDED MY JUDGMENT' AS RUMORS SWIRLED IN DC Lawmakers are required to forfeit their pensions if convicted of a spate of felonies, including fraud, treason, bribery and perjury. But there is no such law that would require a lawmaker convicted of felony sexual abuse to forfeit a pension. Hawley's bill, the "No Pensions for Congressional Predators Act," seeks to fix that inconsistency. "Right now, a member of Congress can be convicted of sexual abuse and still receive a taxpayer-funded pension. That is unacceptable," Hawley told Fox News Digital in a statement. "I'm introducing legislation to end this loophole and ensure that lawmakers are never compensated with taxpayer dollars after such a breach of trust. The only thing the government should be paying for, for these people, is a jail cell." His legislation comes on the heels of bombshell allegations against former Rep. Eric Swalwell , D-Calif., who resigned from Congress on Tuesday. Five women, including a former member of Swalwell’s staff, have accused the ex-lawmaker of sexual misconduct and rape. SWALWELL OUT AMID SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS AFTER 13 YEARS IN CONGRESS While no charges have been filed against him, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department opened an investigation into Swalwell following allegations from Lonna Drewes that he had drugged and raped her. And, even if convicted, Swalwell would still be elig…