House Dems To Introduce Bill To Block Presidents Convicted of Felonies From Receiving Their Pensions
A pair of House Democrats are expected to introduce a bill that would ban a president convicted of a felony from receiving their pension. The Hill reports that Reps. John Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Pramila Jayapal…
A pair of House Democrats are expected to introduce a bill that would ban a president convicted of a felony from receiving their pension.
The Hill reports that Reps. John Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) have co-authored the Restoring and Enforcing Accountability of Presidents (REAP) Act and plan on introducing the bill on Thursday.
The REAP Act would amend the Former Presidents Act of 1958 to strip former presidents convicted of a felony of their $219,200 annual pension. It would also strip them of funds to pay staff and office space.
However, it would not prevent them from receiving Secret Service protection.
The bill does not mention any president by name.
However, it has been perceived as a jab against former President Donald Trump, who is facing civil and criminal investigations. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court ruled that prosecutors in New York City can obtain his tax returns.
None of the ongoing investigations have resulted in a felony charge for Trump.
In a statement, Maloney said, “Breaking the law has consequences — no matter how powerful you are, or were. Presidents who are convicted of a felony should not receive taxpayer-funded benefits. It’s that simple.”
“The fact that this bill is now necessary in America brings me no joy, but we must demand accountability from those who have held our nation’s highest office,” he added.