Hoyer, Walkinshaw Introduce Bill to Deliver Fair Retirement for Capitol Police

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) and James Walkinshaw (VA-11) introduced the Capitol Police Retirement Reform Act of 2026, legislation to count the overtime pay U.S. Capitol Police officers earn toward their federal pensions.

The U.S. Capitol Police is understaffed, and roughly 25 percent of the force is currently retirement eligible. Too often, brave officers are forced to choose between continuing their service on the Capitol Police and moving to other federal law enforcement agencies that already count overtime toward retirement, where they can better build their financial future. The bill closes that gap, bringing U.S. Capitol Police in line with other federal law enforcement.

"Our U.S. Capitol Police officers deserve better, and I'm proud to join with Rep. Walkinshaw to introduce this bill," said Congressman Hoyer. "If we cannot recruit and retain highly qualified officers by offering competitive pay and benefits, we will be unable to provide adequate protection to Members, staff, and visitors - and to the institution of Congress itself. I hope we can come together to pass this bill, inspired by the memory of our friend Gerry Connolly, who championed the U.S. Capitol Police and this cause throughout his time in office."

"Day in and day out, U.S. Capitol Police officers protect the millions of American families and visitors who walk through the Capitol each year, alongside the staff and Members of Congress who work here. These officers give years of their lives to a job that demands extraordinary commitment," said Congressman Walkinshaw. "A quarter of the force is eligible to retire, and too many officers feel pushed to weigh moving to other federal agencies where overtime counts toward retirement and they can build a stronger pension. That is a retention problem that can and must be fixed. If we ask officers to work grueling hours to protect the Capitol, we owe it to them to retire with dignity. I'm proud to partner with Congressman Steny Hoyer as we fight to deliver that fair retirement and keep top talent on the force protecting the Capitol and everyone who walks through it."

Versions of this same bill passed the House in the FY22 and FY23 Legislative Branch Appropriations bills before being stripped in conference.

Read the full bill text here.