Sens. Rick Scott and Mike Braun introduce bill to end congressional pensions

Two Republican senators on Tuesday introduced legislation that would eliminate pensions for retiring members of Congress. 

Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana and Sen. Rick Scott of Florida introduced their “End Pensions in Congress Act” in the hopes that it will make Washington more efficient.

“If we remove the luxurious perks from Congress, we’ll get better leaders: that’s why I’ll never accept my Senate pension and, if forced to, I pledge to donate every penny to Hoosier charities,” Mr. Braun said in a statement.

Currently, pensions are calculated by averaging a member’s three highest paying salaries, their years in office, and the set accrual rate.

They framed the new bill in light of last month’s partial government shutdown, which was the longest in U.S. history.

“When Congress failed to do their job and created the longest government shutdown in history, hardworking Americans were forced to go without pay while members of Congress were still collecting paychecks. That is wrong and is exactly why I’m fighting to reform Washington,” Mr. Scott said in a statement. “It’s time for term limits and it’s time to make those in D.C. realize that the era of career politicians is over.”