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STOP… If you see the following statement being posted starting with… Please read proposed 28th amendment... It will take you less than a minute to read this. If you agree, please pass it on. PLEASE READ BEFORE PASSING IT ON!! OUR PRESENT SITUATION! Children of Congress members do not have to pay back their college student loans. Staffers of Congress family members are also exempt from having to pay back student loans. Members of Congress can retire at full pay after only one term. Members of Congress have exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed, under which ordinary citizens must live. For example, they are exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment. And as the latest example, they have exempted themselves from Healthcare Reform, in all of its aspects. Sorry but the Research shows… NO, this chain email (which has circulated since at least the 1990s and been repeatedly debunked) is not true. It’s a collection of outdated, exaggerated, or entirely false claims designed to stoke anger about Congress. I’ll break it down point by point with the facts, based on verifiable U.S. law, government policies, and official records as of November 2025. 1. “Children of Congress members do not have to pay back their college student loans.” False. There is no exemption for congressional family members from federal student loan repayment. All borrowers, regardless of family ties, must repay federal student loans under standard terms (e.g., income-driven plans, deferment options available to everyone). Private loans follow lender contracts. This rumor likely stems from confusion over general federal employee benefits (like Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which applies to any qualifying public servant after 10 years, not just Congress), but it doesn’t extend to family. Source: U.S. Department of Education guidelines confirm no such carve-outs. 2. “Staffers of Congress family members are also exempt from having to pay back student loans.” False. Again, no exemptions exist for congressional staffers or their family members. Congressional staffers are federal employees and can access the same loan forgiveness programs as other public workers (e.g., PSLF), but they must still make payments like anyone else until qualifying. Family members get zero special treatment. This is pure fabrication, with no basis in the Higher Education Act or federal loan statutes. 3. “Members of Congress can retire at full pay after only one term.” False. Members of Congress are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which requires a minimum of 5 years of service for any vested pension—and even then, it’s not “full pay.” The formula is 1% of their average high-3 salary per year of service (or 1.7% for those retiring after age 62 with 20+ years), prorated accordingly. One term (2 years for House members, 6 for Senators) yields a tiny fraction of salary, often less than $10,000 annually for a House member. They also contribute 1.3% of salary to the plan and can supplement with TSP (like a 401(k)). Immediate “full pay” retirement is a myth; even career politicians wait years for meaningful benefits. Source: Congressional Research Service reports on FERS. 4. “Members of Congress have exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed, under which ordinary citizens must live. For example, they are exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment.” Mostly false, with nuance on the example. • General claim: Congress hasn’t broadly “exempted” itself from laws. Under the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA), they must comply with 13 major federal labor, workplace, and civil rights laws (e.g., ADA, OSHA, Fair Labor Standards Act). Violations trigger investigations by the congressional Office of Compliance, with potential fines, back pay, or mediation—not blanket immunity. • Sexual harassment example: False as stated. The CAA explicitly applies anti-discrimination and anti-harassment protections (from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act) to Congress, staff, and even interns. High-profile cases (e.g., against Rep. John Conyers in 2017 or Sen. Al Franken in 2018) led to resignations, settlements, and DOJ referrals. Prosecution is possible via civil suits or criminal charges under federal law (e.g., 18 U.S.C. § 242 for rights deprivation). The “no fear of prosecution” idea misrepresents the CAA’s internal process (which prioritizes confidential resolution), but it doesn’t grant immunity—victims can sue in federal court after exhausting steps. 5. “And as the latest example, they have exempted themselves from Healthcare Reform, in all of its aspects.” False (outdated and incorrect even at the time). This refers to the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or “Obamacare”) passed in 2010. From the start, the ACA requires members of Congress and their staff to buy health insurance through the DC Health Link exchange (the ACA marketplace), using federal subsidies—just like other federal employees. No exemptions were granted; in fact, the law explicitly mandates it (Section 1312). Early confusion arose from how subsidies would work (initially uncertain), but OPM rules in 2013 confirmed full participation. As of 2025, this remains unchanged—congressional plans mirror ACA standards, with no opt-outs. Source: ACA text and CMS oversight. In short, these claims are a classic example of viral misinformation that ignores actual laws and processes. Congress isn’t perfect (e.g., insider trading reforms lag, and ethics enforcement can feel toothless), but they’re not the untouchable elite this portrays.