Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) is calling for Congress to strip retirement benefits from two former lawmakers who resigned this week amid mounting allegations of sexual misconduct and the threat of expulsion.
Former Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) both formally stepped down from Congress on Tuesday, avoiding potential expulsion votes that had been gaining traction among lawmakers in both parties.
“I think they should’ve been expelled and not resigned,” Boebert told CNN’s Manu Raju outside the House steps on Tuesday.
“And I think that we actually need to look into ways to censure, with other aspects to say you can’t have your pension, you can’t leave here with all your taxpayer-funded benefits after such shameful acts that cause you to bow out and resign from Congress,” Boebert continued.
Her comments come as Congress faces renewed scrutiny over how it disciplines members accused of serious misconduct. Expulsion from the House is rare — only six members have been removed in U.S. history — while 28 have been formally censured, according to congressional data. In some cases, lawmakers who resigned before facing expulsion have later been retroactively censured.
Both Swalwell and Gonzales had been under increasing pressure to leave office. Swalwell faced multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, which he has denied, while Gonzales acknowledged an affair with a staff member and has been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee. (RELATED: New Accuser Lonna Drewes Details Sexual Assault Claim Against Eric Swalwell)
Because both men served more than five years in federal office, they are eligible for congressional retirement benefits. However, at age 45, neither would begin receiving payments for several years under either the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or the Civil Service Retirement System.
Under current law, members of Congress do not automatically lose their pensions if they resign or are expelled. Retirement benefits can only be revoked if a lawmaker is convicted of certain felony offenses tied to their official conduct.
Boebert has argued that standard is insufficient in cases involving serious ethical violations.
She previously said she would introduce a resolution to censure Swalwell following the allegations against him.
“According to 4 witnesses, including a former employee, Rep. Swalwell has been sexually harassing and raping women,” Boebert wrote on the social platform X, adding that he “is exactly why Americans hate politicians and I am going to make sure that every member has an opportunity to condemn his conduct.”
She later added that Swalwell’s pension “should be redirected to his victims.”
It remains unclear what legislative path Boebert or other lawmakers could pursue to revoke or reallocate the retirement benefits of former members, as such a move would likely require changes to existing federal law.
READ NEXT: House Democrats File 5 Impeachment Articles Against Hegseth
Sponsored
John Kennedy here. The last fundraising deadline passed — and we came up short. Now the woke crowd is celebrating, saying “Kennedy’s finished.” Let’s prove them wrong. Chip in $25, $50, or whatever you can to close the gap and keep fighting.
