The controversy involving Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California is intensifying, with lawmakers preparing to hold expulsion votes in response to multiple sexual misconduct allegations against him. Swalwell, who is currently running for governor of California, has denied the accusations, which include claims from a former staffer alleging sexual assault.
Since the allegations surfaced, all 21 Democratic members of Congress who initially endorsed Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign have withdrawn their support. State Democratic leaders are also pressuring him to withdraw from the increasingly crowded race, sources familiar with the matter said.
House Members Mobilize on Expulsion Measures
As members return from a two-week recess, the Swalwell scandal is fueling a drive for accountability in the House of Representatives. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, announced plans to push for a vote to expel Swalwell, with the potential vote expected as soon as midweek.
Democrats are reportedly preparing a countermeasure to bring up an expulsion vote against Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican facing his own scandal after admitting to an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. Although Gonzales ended his reelection campaign, he remains in Congress and has not resigned.
Additional expulsion votes targeting other members are also under consideration by both parties. Florida Republicans Rep. Corey Mills and Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick are under ethics investigations connected to campaign finance violations, alleged sexual misconduct, and misappropriation of federal funds. Both lawmakers have denied the allegations.
Rare Move That Could Reshape the House
Expulsion of a House member requires a two-thirds majority vote, a step that is historically rare. Only six representatives have ever been expelled, with New York Rep. George Santos being the most recent in 2023.
During an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” GOP Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida said he would support expelling both Swalwell and Gonzales, condemning their alleged misconduct as damaging to Congress’s integrity.
Prominent California Democrats have also called on Swalwell to resign from Congress and abandon his gubernatorial campaign. Rep. Jared Huffman declared his intent to vote for both Swalwell’s and Gonzales’s expulsions, citing violations of House ethics rules related to power abuse involving sexual relationships with subordinates.
Why it matters
The potential expulsion votes represent a significant escalation in congressional accountability, signaling bipartisan frustration with unresolved ethics investigations. These developments come as the House approaches midterm elections, where such controversies could influence party control and public trust.
Repulsion votes carry considerable political weight and legal implications, reaffirming congressional standards of conduct and potentially setting precedents for handling misconduct allegations against lawmakers.
Background
Swalwell’s scandal emerged amid his campaign for California governor and follows a broader pattern of recent ethics controversies in the House. Expulsions remain rare due to the high threshold required and potential political fallout. The growing roster of lawmakers facing misconduct allegations has increased bipartisan pressure to impose stronger disciplinary actions.
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