Joni Ernst (R-IA)
No Taxpayer-Funded Pensions for Sex Criminals Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "No Taxpayer-Funded Pensions for Sex Criminals Act," aims to amend title 5 of the United States Code. It seeks to prohibit the payment of annuities and retired pay to individuals convicted of certain sex crimes. The proposed changes target specific offenses listed under title 18 or similar offenses under State law. These penalties apply to convictions occurring on or after the date the Act is enacted. The bill also includes several technical and conforming amendments to various sections of the United States Code.
Yes
- Scored +3
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill reduces federal spending by prohibiting the payment of certain annuities and retired pay to convicted individuals.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -2
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill negatively impacts seniors who have been convicted of the specified sex crimes by eliminating their retirement income.
- Scored -2
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill reduces the financial resources available to individuals facing post-conviction life circumstances.
- Scored -2
Would retired people be better off under this?
The bill strips retirement pay from those who meet the criteria of the listed criminal convictions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Prohibition of pension payments for specific crimes: The bill prevents individuals convicted of certain sex crimes from receiving annuities and retired pay (Section 2(a)). This ensures that taxpayer funds are not used for pension payments for those convicted of the listed offenses.
-
Inclusion of state-level offenses: The bill applies to offenses under State law that would be considered a federal offense under title 18 (Section 2(a)(2)(B)). This broadens the scope of the prohibition to include conduct that matches specific federal crimes.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Loss of retirement benefits: Individuals convicted of the offenses named in the bill will lose their right to receive annuities and retired pay (Section 2(a)). This loss applies to the period after the date of conviction or after the date of the Act's enactment, whichever is later.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill reduces the financial resources available to individuals facing post-conviction life circumstances. Would retired people be better off under this? — The bill strips retirement pay from those who meet the criteria of the listed criminal convictions. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill negatively impacts seniors who have been convicted of the specified sex crimes by eliminating their retirement income.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill reduces federal spending by prohibiting the payment of certain annuities and retired pay to convicted individuals.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this strengthen Social Security? — The bill reduces the lifetime financial security of individuals convicted of the specified offenses by stripping their retirement benefits.
- 4/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Lindsey GrahamRepublican · South Carolina
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida