A fundamental principle of military leadership is that you lead by example. Servant leadership is based on the concept that you set the standard of ethical conduct that you expect others to follow.  Unfortunately, that concept has been turned on its head in Washington.  Too many of our elected leaders hold themselves to a different standard than the rest of the country.

Most recently, reports have shown that sexual harassment and misconduct are pronounced among members of Congress and existing penalties are woefully inadequate to punish those who abused their power and violate the trust of their subordinates and the American people. We must hold our elected leaders to a higher standard of conduct. While the military has also struggled with this issue, it does offer an approach for penalizing misconduct.

Service members who are dishonorably discharged for rape or sexual misconduct can lose their benefits, including taxpayer-funded pensions. Although there is no court-martial process for members of Congress, the ethics committees provide a system of due process and a way to confront allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct.

Simply put, members of Congress who are found, through the ethics committees, to have committed sexual harassment or assault and those who resign to avoid the consequences of such an investigation should be subject to the same loss of benefits, including their congressional pension.

When I left active duty as a captain, I was honorably discharged for my service. This honorable discharge gave me access to veterans’ benefits. All veterans understand that misconduct, dereliction of duty, or other offenses could cost them these benefits.

Members of Congress, however, do not face the same accountability. Longtime representatives and senators can claim pensions after violating ethics rules or after resigning to avoid facing an investigation.  This clearly needs to end – especially when their resignations come as a blatant way to sidestep public accountability.

We require a high standard of our military service members. Why shouldn’t we require a similar high standard of our members of Congress who also serve our country?

Those members who betray the public trust and misuse their office shouldn’t be rewarded with a lifetime of benefits. The American people deserve better from their leaders.

This is about accountability and reform, not partisan politics. Ethical standards have no political party or allegiance. As an Army infantry officer, as a husband, as a father, and as a Congressional candidate, I work every day to fulfill my commitment to servant leadership.

That’s what I learned in the Army. As an officer, my soldiers ate first, and if there wasn’t any food left over, I didn’t eat. When we were doing risky airborne operations, I jumped out of the plane first for my soldiers to follow. Members of Congress who put themselves before the well-being of their staff or their constituents should not eat first, and they definitely shouldn’t receive a golden parachute after abusing their power.

My proposal is based on the simple principle that our elected officials should lead by example.  For those who can’t, there is a new generation of leaders who are ready to take their place.