WASHINGTON, April 13 - A mounting number of Democrats on Monday demanded that Representative Eric Swalwell of California resign from Congress or face potential expulsion after sexual misconduct allegations that have already ended his gubernatorial campaign. The House Ethics Committee announced it had begun an inquiry into whether Swalwell violated House rules.
Swalwell suspended his campaign for governor on Sunday, apologizing for "mistakes in judgment" and asserting he would contest allegations he characterized as serious but false. Four women have accused Swalwell of sexual assault, according to statements cited by members of Congress.
Pressure mounts within both parties
Representative Andrea Salinas of Oregon, in a statement on Monday, said the allegations were "serious, credible, and demand accountability," and called for Swalwell to resign. "The halls of power must not be a place where predators are shielded by inaction," she said.
Swalwell is one of four sitting members of the House - two Democrats and two Republicans - who have recently faced intensified calls to relinquish their seats or be expelled. Representative Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, ended his reelection bid last month, withdrawing from a May 26 runoff against Republican Brandon Herrera after allegations that he had an affair with a former staffer who later died by suicide.
Representative Nellie Pou, a New Jersey Democrat, said in a statement that "at a minimum, it is clear that Reps. Swalwell and Gonzalez have betrayed their constituents, staff, and their oath of office." She added that, "at worst, it appears they may have committed abhorrent, outrageous, and potentially criminal acts. They should resign immediately; if they refuse, the House should debate their removal through expulsion."
Expulsion faces a high procedural bar
Removing a member by expulsion is the most severe sanction available in the House and requires a two-thirds majority vote. Historically rare, expulsion has been used only a handful of times; the most recent occurred in December 2023. With Republicans holding a narrow 217-214 majority over Democrats in the current House, any effort to expel a member would require bipartisan support.
Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, announced plans to file legislation seeking Swalwell’s expulsion. Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez, a Democrat from New Mexico, said she would introduce a measure to expel Representative Gonzales - a move Luna pledged to support.
Representative Addison McDowell, a Republican from North Carolina, said, "It’s past time to get rid of predators in Congress who prey on women - especially their own staff. Women working in the halls of Congress deserve to know that, as an institution, we have their backs and that we condemn this behavior at the highest level."
Bipartisan calls for swift accountability
Several Democrats signaled they would vote to expel if the members did not step down. Representative Yassamin Ansari of Arizona said she intended to vote to expel both Swalwell and Gonzales if they remained in office. Representative April McClain Delaney of Maryland described the conduct under investigation as "beyond inexcusable" and said both should be expelled if investigations confirm "the facts are true."
A group of Democratic lawmakers representing competitive districts that will influence control of the House in November urged House leaders to expedite investigations into alleged misconduct by members. "Public confidence in Congress is at a historic low, but it can be earned back through public accountability," the lawmakers wrote. They requested bipartisan cooperation to ensure investigations proceed quickly, that findings are made public, and that any resulting actions are brought to the House floor for a vote.
Calls widen to include other members
Representative Nydia Velazquez of New York went further than many colleagues, suggesting that Florida Representatives Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat, and Cory Mills, a Republican, should also resign or face expulsion. The Justice Department has charged Cherfilus-McCormick with stealing $5 million in federal disaster funds and using the money in her congressional campaign, while Mills has been accused of sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations.
Velazquez said, "Congress should not tolerate representatives who abuse staff, betray public trust for personal gain, and generally violate their oath of office. Americans deserve better and Congress must hold our members accountable."
What happens next
The House Ethics Committee’s investigation into Swalwell marks the formal start of an internal review process that could lead to a range of outcomes, up to and including a recommendation for disciplinary action. Any move to expel a member would require significant cross-party agreement and a two-thirds vote on the House floor. In the meantime, calls for resignations and expedited investigations are likely to persist as the allegations and related inquiries unfold.