When Iowans retire, they collect the pension they earned. When Members of Congress retire, too many cash in: six-figure lobbying jobs with the very industries they used to regulate, while still collecting a taxpayer-funded pension.
The problem: Members of Congress spend years in Washington writing the rules and building insider connections. Once their lobbying restrictions expire — after just one year for House Members — nothing stops them from collecting a lobbying paycheck and a taxpayer-funded pension at the same time.
In Iowa, service means putting your community first. That’s why I sold every stock I owned when I was elected to Congress. Whether it’s playing the markets in office or cashing in as a lobbyist after, public service should never become a stepping stone for personal profit.
What’s new: I’ve made cleaning up Washington a priority from day one, and this week, I built on that effort by introducing the bipartisan No Cashing In Act to hold former Members accountable when they walk out of Congress and through the revolving door. ⬇️
Our bill would:
💰 Cut a former Member’s congressional pension dollar-for-dollar by what they earn lobbying for special interests
📋 Require former Members to keep filing public financial disclosures for 10 years after leaving office — or for as long as they collect a congressional pension
Bottom Line: Iowans deserve representatives who treat public service as a public trust — not a chance to cash in on insider information or land a cushy lobbying job after leaving office. I’ll keep working across the aisle to bring accountability to Washington.