Times are tough.
Today we learned that expelled-Rep. George Santos (R-NY) is using the website Cameo to sell videos for cash now that he no longer has a congressional salary and has been accused of, among many other things, misappropriating campaign funds to bankroll his expensive taste.
Inspired by Santos’ shamelessness, it appears a former colleague in the House may be taking legislative action to cut off some financial benefits for expelled members in the future.
Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA), one of 100-plus Republicans who voted to expel Santos from Congress last week, introduced the Congressional Pension Accountability Act on Monday, which would block lawmakers who are expelled from Congress from accessing a congressional pension. While Santos is not entitled to a pension because a member, typically, must serve five or more years to be eligible, Nunn said it was necessary to have a “road map” for the future.
“No one should be serving in Congress, be excommunicated and removed from Congress, and still be able to draw a pension,” Nunn said at a press briefing Monday. “A pension is earned for honorable service. When you’re removed from office … you should not be able to continue to cash in on the American taxpayer’s dime.”
It’s not the first Santos-inspired bill his ex-colleagues have introduced. Per Axios:
A group of New York Republicans who were some of Santos’ fiercest detractors in the GOP introduced a bill to prohibit members of Congress convicted of certain crimes from profiting off book deals, speeches and other common post-congressional income streams.
Meanwhile, the embattled ex-congressman remains much more optimistic about his future than many of his Republican ex-colleagues, who are expecting it’ll involve some time behind bars.
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What We Are Reading
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On this issue I find myself in agreement with many of his gooper colleagues - he’s headed from the house to the Big House.
I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that Santos-De Volder will be in prison in the next year or two and that Kari Lake has had her fifteen minutes. Also still praying for the Angel of Death to visit TFG real soon.
Is your limb strong enough for two?
Mebbe we will see tfg and Santos/Devolder in cells next to each other?
I must admit here to evil thoughts about tfg that I should never post. Suffering is very much needed in his case.
Oh, prison will be so much better than death. I hope he lives a long time behind bars.
His imprisonment would be an important victory for the rule of law, but his demise would put him out of our misery.