The committee also passed HR-4975, “The Lobbying Accountability
and Transparency Act of 2006,” that with the committee’s
amendment would deny federal retirement benefits to any
representative, congressional employee, or political appointee
convicted of certain crimes in violation of the trust of public
office punishable by at least a year in prison.
The bill would cover bribery of public officials and witnesses,
illegally seeking outside compensation, government officers and
employees acting as agents of foreign principals, conspiracy to
commit offense or to defraud United States, embezzlement, making
false statements, perjury, and otherwise inducing a person to
commit an unlawful act.
Officials convicted of those crimes and sentenced to at least a
year in prison, for acts committed while serving in public office,
would be denied federal retirement benefits.
The legislation does however provide for reconsideration of the
pension loss for the official or his or her spouse.
Davis said that if the reforms are not given sufficient consideration,
the committee would push to include its provisions at the rules
committee or on the House floor.
