H.R. 8898: End Government Pensions for Sexual Abusers Act of 2026

This bill, titled the "End Government Pensions for Sexual Abusers Act of 2026," proposes changes to the federal retirement benefits for members of Congress who are convicted of certain sexual offenses. The main objectives of the bill include:

Prohibition of Retirement Benefits

The bill states that members of Congress, including former members or their beneficiaries, will not receive retirement benefits or annuities if they are convicted of specific sexual offenses, including:

• Offenses related to child exploitation
• Sexual abuse and assault
• Trafficking in persons for sexual purposes

The offenses included are defined under various sections of Title 18 of the United States Code.

Applicable Offenses

The bill specifies that to qualify for the prohibition of benefits, the conviction must occur for actions committed on or after the date the legislation is enacted. The Attorney General must notify the relevant federal agency responsible for administering the retirement benefits if a member is convicted under these terms.

Foreign Convictions

If a member of Congress is convicted of a relevant offense in a foreign court, their benefits may also be revoked if the Attorney General certifies that:

• The foreign conviction aligns with offenses described in the bill.
• The conviction was obtained through due process comparable to that provided under U.S. law.
• The conduct occurred after the enactment of the bill.

Indictments and Absences

The bill also includes provisions for members of Congress who are indicted for the specified offenses but remain outside the United States for more than one year. They would be prohibited from receiving retirement benefits during the time they are evading prosecution.

Payments to Victims

Should a member's retirement benefits be forfeited due to a conviction, the agency administering those benefits must allocate a portion of the funds that would have been used for the benefits to pay victims of the member's offenses. This is subject to any court orders for restitution or judgments against the individual.

Nonaccrual of Interest on Refunds

The bill includes changes to the law regarding the accrual of interest on refunds of contributions made by individuals whose benefits are forfeited due to convictions. Interest will not accrue from the time of conviction on amounts that would typically be refunded.

Legal Review by the Court

Individuals who are denied their benefits under the bill can seek review by the United States Court of Federal Claims if they believe the requirements for certification have not been adequately met, potentially leading to the restoration of their benefits if the court rules in their favor.

Clerical Changes

The bill also makes necessary clerical amendments to align existing law with the new provisions being enacted.

Relevant Companies

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