GOP Rep. Vows to Nix Pensions of Swalwell and Gonzales After Resignations

Boebert says taxpayers shouldn't fund retirement for disgraced former lawmakers

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:53pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty government office space, with a lone chair and desk as the only visible objects, conveying a sense of melancholy and the aftermath of political misconduct.The quiet, somber aftermath of a political scandal leaves a once-bustling office space eerily vacant.Los Angeles Today

Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., has vowed to cancel the pensions of former Reps. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, who both resigned this week amid sexual assault and harassment allegations. Boebert says it's 'unacceptable' for taxpayers to fund the retirements of lawmakers who 'abused their position of power.'

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate over whether members of Congress should lose their taxpayer-funded pensions if they resign or are expelled due to misconduct. While Boebert's proposal faces legal hurdles, it reflects growing public frustration with perceived impunity for political scandals.

The details

Neither Swalwell nor Gonzales can access their federal retirement benefits until age 62 under current law, but Boebert is vowing to find ways to strip them of those benefits entirely. She says there should have been a vote to expel or censure the two former lawmakers rather than allowing them to resign.

  • On April 16, 2026, Rep. Lauren Boebert announced her plans to cancel the pensions of Swalwell and Gonzales.
  • On April 12, 2026, Swalwell and Gonzales both resigned from Congress amid sexual misconduct allegations.

The players

Rep. Lauren Boebert

A Republican Congresswoman from Colorado who is vowing to strip the pensions of Swalwell and Gonzales.

Eric Swalwell

A former Democratic Congressman from California who resigned this week amid sexual assault allegations.

Tony Gonzales

A former Republican Congressman from Texas who resigned this week amid sexual harassment allegations.

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What they’re saying

“Former Congressman Eric Swalwell abused his position of power in Congress to assault and victimize women. Now as things stand, taxpayers will be sending him tens of thousands of dollars every year for the rest of his life. This is totally unacceptable.”

— Rep. Lauren Boebert, Republican Congresswoman from Colorado

“I think that we actually need to look into ways to censure, with other aspects to say you can't have your pension, you can't leave here with all your taxpayer-funded benefits after such shameful acts that cause you to bow out and resign from Congress.”

— Rep. Lauren Boebert, Republican Congresswoman from Colorado

What’s next

Boebert says she is 'working on' efforts to strip the pensions of Swalwell and Gonzales, but it remains unclear what specific legal or legislative steps she plans to take. The issue of whether Congress members can lose their retirement benefits due to misconduct has faced legal challenges in the past.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over political accountability and the public's expectations for how lawmakers should be punished for abuses of power. While Boebert's proposal faces significant hurdles, it taps into a broader sentiment that Congress members should not be able to easily escape consequences for serious ethical violations.