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.
The Best Of TPM Today
George Santos Is Selling Videos On Cameo Now
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NEW POD: Belaboring The Point: Manly Grievance And The Far Right
Yesterday’s Most Read Story
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What We Are Reading
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Kari Lake struggles to court moderates, imperiling GOP Senate pickup — WaPo
