(WASHINGTON) -- Fifth District Congresswoman Virginia Foxx is co-sponsoring a bill that would end the congressional pension program. Foxx said that Congress needs to lead by example, and should not be getting benefits that many average Americans are not getting.

While Foxx wants to do away with the congressional pension, she said there are a lot of misperceptions about Congress.  "I get an email at least once a day that says, well you people can draw your full pay after one term and retire, and, yes, there are people who think that the only reason that we're there is to be able to draw a fat retirement.  That is not accurate," said Foxx.

The bill Foxx is pushing would honor the current benefits that have been accrued by current members of Congress, but would do away with the pension plan going forward. Foxx said doing away with the pension plan will show that Congress is willing to bear the same kind of cuts that the rest of federal government faces.

She added that the plan would save millions.  Foxx acknowledged that it will not solve the debt crisis, but she added that every little bit helps.

(Thanks to: WSJS)