Massie's EPIC Act: Ending Taxpayer-funded Congressional Pensions!

A Move to Fiscal Responsibility

In the sweltering political landscape of Washington, where the stench of big government and taxpayer-funded excess hangs heavy in the air, there emerges a beacon of fiscal responsibility and liberty. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a true maverick in the halls of Congress, has taken a bold stand with not one, but two pieces of legislation that aim to shake up the status quo and put an end to the gravy train of congressional pensions.

In a town where politicians seem more interested in feathering their own nests than in serving the American people, Massie's first bill, H.R. 4925, the End Pensions in Congress Act (EPIC Act), is a breath of fresh air. It sends a clear message that if congressmen want to save for retirement, they should do so with 401(k)-type plans, just like the hardworking folks they represent. No more relying on the taxpayers to take care of them long after they've left the hallowed halls of Congress.

But the EPIC Act doesn't stop there. It goes further, excluding future Members of Congress from participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), and requiring those currently enrolled to opt in to continue their enrollment. This isn't just about saving money; it's about ending a system that provides a financial incentive for re-election. It's about draining the swamp and restoring fiscal sanity to our nation's capital.

And then there's Massie's second bill, H.R. 4926, the Members of Congress Opt Out Clarification Act. This one addresses a bizarre quirk in the congressional pension rules, a quirk that allows Senators, but not Representatives elected after 2003, to opt out of enrollment in the congressional pension program. It's a small but crucial step in the right direction because even Representatives who don't want to participate in the program are currently forced to contribute to it.

The Members of Congress Opt Out Clarification Act levels the playing field, allowing Members of the House of Representatives to opt out of FERS, just like their Senate counterparts. It's about fairness and equality, something we don't see enough of in the world of politics. And fear not, it still permits those who opt out to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan, the congressional equivalent of a 401(k). So, retirement security isn't being thrown out the window; it's just being put on a more level playing field.

Let's talk about the current system for a moment. Did you know that under current law, Members of Congress are eligible for a federal pension after just five years of service? Yes, you read that right. Five years. For most Americans, retirement planning involves decades of hard work and diligent saving, but for our elected officials, it's a mere pit stop on the way to a cushy pension.

Imagine this: a member with a mere ten years of service can expect a pension of nearly $30,000 per year upon reaching the ripe age of 62. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all for responsible retirement planning, but should the burden of funding these extravagant pensions fall on the shoulders of hardworking taxpayers?

Companion legislation for both of these bills has been introduced in the United States Senate by Senator Mike Braun, a fellow champion of fiscal responsibility. This is a bipartisan effort to rein in the excesses of government and restore some sanity to our nation's finances.

So, in a world where politicians often seem more interested in their own well-being than in the well-being of the American people, Representative Thomas Massie stands tall as a true libertarian warrior. His EPIC Act and Members of Congress Opt Out Clarification Act are a rallying cry for fiscal responsibility, a call to end the era of taxpayer-funded congressional pensions, and a step towards a brighter, more fiscally responsible future. It's time to applaud those who dare to challenge the status quo and say, "Enough is enough."

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash