GOP Rep. Lauren Bobert swears to nix pensions of Swalwell and Gonzales following allegations

The allegations against the two former congressmen are extensive and have drawn significant public attention. At least five women have accused Swalwell of sexual assault and harassment, leading to investigations by the Department of Justice, as well as district attorneys in Los Angeles and New York. One former staffer alleged that Swalwell sexually assaulted her on two separate occasions when she was too intoxicated to consent. Another woman, a former model, publicly accused Swalwell of rape. Swalwell has denied the allegations, calling them a "political hit job," but resigned from Congress stating it was wrong for his constituents to have him distracted from his duties.

Representative Gonzales’s resignation followed allegations of an affair with a female staffer who later died by suicide. Gonzales admitted to the affair, calling it a "lapse in judgment." He was also facing a House Ethics Committee investigation into whether he had an inappropriate relationship with the aide and had sent improper text messages to other staffers. Like Swalwell, Gonzales announced his retirement from office as pressure mounted.

In response to the resignations, Representative Boebert announced her intention to draft a bill that would strip both former lawmakers of their taxpayer-funded pensions. Under current federal law, both Swalwell and Gonzales, having served more than five years, are eligible to receive an estimated annual pension of around $22,000 starting at age 62. Boebert stated it was "completely unacceptable" for taxpayers to fund the retirements of individuals who leave office under such circumstances. Her proposed bipartisan legislation would prohibit members convicted of felonies or specific offenses committed while in office, including sexual assault, from receiving their pensions.

The move by Boebert has ignited a debate over accountability for congressional misconduct. Current law requires a criminal conviction for specific crimes for a member of Congress to forfeit their pension. A separate bipartisan bill, the "Congressional Pension Accountability Act," was introduced in late 2023 to prevent members who are expelled from Congress from receiving pension benefits, indicating a growing appetite for such reforms. Boebert's proposal could force a broader discussion on the financial consequences for lawmakers who resign amid scandal, potentially leading to significant changes in congressional ethics and retirement rules. The next steps will likely involve the formal introduction of Boebert's bill and subsequent debate within House committees.