Federal Lawmaker Found Guilty of Corruption Cannot Receive Severance Pay
U.S. President Joe Biden, who will retire in January next year, signed a batch of 50 bills ahead of Christmas.
According to the White House on the 25th (local time), the bills signed by President Biden the previous day included a bill designating the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States.
The bald eagle has long been regarded as an unofficial mascot of the United States, but with President Biden's signature on this bill, it has been officially recognized as the national bird.
President Biden also signed a child abuse prevention bill. This law requires the federal government to oversee the health, safety, protection, and treatment of minors admitted to addiction treatment and rehabilitation facilities. Paris Hilton, heiress of the global hotel chain Hilton, had urged the passage of this bill, claiming she suffered abuse at a boarding school during her teenage years.
The bills signed by President Biden also include a law prohibiting federal lawmakers convicted of public corruption charges from receiving retirement benefits. This bill became a public issue after former Senator Bob Menendez, the predecessor of Andy Kim?the first Korean American elected to the U.S. Senate from New Jersey?was convicted of bribery and violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and it passed Congress last week.
President Biden also signed a law to prevent bullying on college campuses.
Meanwhile, on this day, which is his last Christmas as President of the United States, President Biden stated, "My hope for our country is that we continue to pursue the light of freedom, love, kindness, compassion, dignity, and decency." He said on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), "It is an honor to wish all Americans a very Merry Christmas for the last time as President," adding, "May God bless you all."
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