Bipartisan momentum is building in Washington as members of the U.S. House of Representatives prepare to bring resolutions to the floor this week to expel Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas and Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-California. The calls for removal follow separate, serious allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against both lawmakers, creating a rare moment of cross-party agreement on the removal of sitting members.
The push for Rep. Tony Gonzales expulsion and the removal of Swalwell gained significant steam over the weekend. Lawmakers from both parties have indicated they are willing to support separate measures to oust their colleagues, citing a need to maintain the integrity of the institution and a commitment to believing women who come forward with reports of abuse and harassment.
The current political climate in the lower chamber adds a layer of strategic complexity to these proceedings. Republicans currently hold a narrow lead with 217 seats compared to the Democrats’ 214 according to the Texas Tribune. By pursuing the expulsion of one member from each party, the House GOP’s slim margin would remain intact even if both members are removed.
Allegations Against Rep. Tony Gonzales
The scrutiny surrounding Rep. Tony Gonzales, who represents San Antonio, stems from a series of reports regarding his conduct with staff. In February, the San Antonio Express-News reported that Gonzales had engaged in an affair with a staffer who subsequently died by suicide. The report included text messages suggesting that Gonzales pressured the aide for explicit photographs after she had initially resisted his advances as detailed by the Texas Tribune.
Gonzales admitted to the affair in early March and shortly thereafter announced he would drop his bid for reelection. However, the situation escalated last week when a second former campaign employee provided text evidence alleging that Gonzales had similarly been sexually inappropriate with her. These combined allegations have led to an active investigation by the House Ethics Committee for sexual misconduct per House records reported by the Texas Tribune.
Under established House rules, lawmakers are strictly forbidden from engaging in sexual relationships with their employees. This regulatory breach, combined with the nature of the text evidence, has led Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, D-New Mexico, and chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, to introduce a resolution to expel Gonzales. Leger Fernández has stated that both Gonzales and Swalwell are “not fit to serve” and should resign immediately via NBC News.
Sexual Misconduct Claims Against Rep. Eric Swalwell
Simultaneously, Rep. Eric Swalwell is facing calls for his removal after several former employees accused him of sexual misconduct. One former aide has gone further, alleging that Swalwell sexually assaulted her. In response to these claims, Swalwell has characterized the allegations of sexual assault as “flat false” according to reports from the Texas Tribune.
The effort to remove Swalwell has been championed by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida, who announced on Saturday that she would file an expulsion motion. Luna’s move was mirrored by support for the action against Gonzales, signaling a bipartisan appetite for cleaning house. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Florida, told NBC News that the allegations are “despicable” and that both men “need to go home” as reported by NBC News.
Democratic support for the ouster of Swalwell has also emerged. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, indicated she would vote to expel both lawmakers, emphasizing the importance of believing women and demonstrating that such behavior will not be accepted within the halls of the Capitol per NBC News.
What Happens Next in the Expulsion Process
Expulsion is the most severe form of discipline the House of Representatives can impose on its members. It requires a two-thirds majority vote to succeed. Because the current calls for expulsion are bipartisan, the threshold for removal is more attainable than in typical partisan disputes.
The House is expected to bring the resolutions to the floor this week. If the votes pass, both Gonzales and Swalwell would be immediately removed from their seats. If they choose to resign before the vote, the expulsion motions would become moot, though the political pressure for them to do so has intensified significantly following the emergence of new evidence and bipartisan condemnation.
Summary of Allegations and Responses
| Lawmaker | Primary Allegations | Current Status/Response | Key Action Taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Gonzales (R-TX) | Affair with staffer; pressure for explicit photos; inappropriate behavior with campaign employee. | Admitted affair; dropped reelection bid; under House Ethics Committee investigation. | Resolution to expel introduced by Rep. Leger Fernández. |
| Eric Swalwell (D-CA) | Sexual misconduct; allegations of sexual assault by a former aide. | Denies assault allegations, calling them “flat false.” | Expulsion motion filed by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. |
The resolution of these cases will likely serve as a benchmark for how the current Congress handles internal sexual misconduct and the enforcement of House rules regarding employee relationships. For the constituents of San Antonio and California, the outcome will determine whether a special election is required to fill the resulting vacancies.
The House is expected to schedule the formal votes on these resolutions later this week. Further updates will depend on the timing of the floor calendar and whether either member submits a formal resignation before the vote occurs.
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