Reps DeSantis and Gowdy Propose Controversial New Legislation: “End Pensions in Congr
Reps DeSantis and Gowdy Propose Controversial New Legislation: “End Pensions in Congress Act”
February 3, 2015
By Clark Holmes
Conservative Florida Representative, Ron DeSantis has proposed controversial new legislation that he hopes will cut the federal budget and Congress down to size – the “End Pensions in Congress Act.”
Six House Republicans are co-sponsoring the bill, including Representative DeSantis and his colleague Representative Trey Dowdy from South Carolina.
Congressmen and Senators can receive a pension after only five years of service at age 62. Those who have served 20 years are eligible to draw a pension beginning at age 50, according to the Congressional Research Service. Currently, 617 retired members receive federal pensions with average annual payments between $42,048 and $71,664
Representative Thomas Massie, (R-KY), chimed in that amount taxpayer-funded pension is too much. “if congressmen want to save for retirement, they should do so with 401K-type plans, rather than rely on taxpayers to take care of them even after leaving Congress. To tackle out-of-control federal spending, Congress must lead by example.”
Sponsor DeSantis wrote:
“The Founding Fathers envisioned elected officials as part of a servant class, yet Washington, DC has evolved into a ruling class culture.
Pensions for members of Congress represent an inappropriate use of taxpayer money,…
…especially when the idea of a pension in the private sector is fast becoming a relic from a bygone era. How can Congress make private-sector employees pony up taxes to fund pensions for members of Congress when few of these taxpayers enjoy such benefits? As we begin this new Congress, we must focus on restoring accountability in Washington and this includes ending pensions for members of Congress.”
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