http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/nation/16130238.htm

The Fort Worth Star Telegram

Thu, Nov. 30, 2006
Ban sought on pensions for convicted lawmakers
By JIM ABRAMS
the associated press

WASHINGTON - More than 20 citizen groups are urging the new Democratic leaders in Congress to include in any ethics reform the denial of pensions to lawmakers convicted of felonies.

"We must end the practice of rewarding lawmakers who abuse the law with plush pension packages funded by the American taxpayer," the coalition wrote in a letter to be sent today to Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Harry Reid, who will become speaker of the House and Senate majority leader when Democrats assume control of Congress in January.

The groups are being led by the National Taxpayers Union.

Currently, members of Congress don't forfeit pensions unless convicted of crimes related to treason and espionage.

As a result, former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif., who was sentenced last March to eight years in prison for accepting bribes from defense contractors, is entitled to an initial annual pension of as much as $64,000, according to calculations by the National Taxpayers Union.

Former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski, D-Ill., who served 15 months in prison after pleading guilty in 1996 to two mail fraud charges, is potentially receiving benefits, after cost-of-living adjustments, of $125,000 a year, the taxpayers group said.

Last spring, the House passed lobbying and ethics bills that would have denied pensions to lawmakers convicted of bribery or acting as a foreign agent. The bills died when the House and Senate were unable to compromise.