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House Faces Bipartisan Expulsion Push Against Swalwell and Gonzales

As the House returns from a two‑week recess, rank‑and‑file members are preparing expulsion resolutions against Rep. Eric Swalwell, D‑Calif., and Rep. Tony Gonzales, R‑Texas, putting rare, high‑stakes disciplinary votes squarely on this week’s agenda. Swalwell, who just suspended his 2026 California governor bid, faces multiple sexual assault and misconduct allegations – including one under investigation by the Manhattan district attorney – which he vehemently denies while admitting “mistakes in judgment.” Gonzales has acknowledged an affair with a staffer who later died by setting herself on fire and is under House Ethics Committee investigation; he ended his reelection bid after pressure from GOP leaders. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna says she will introduce a resolution to expel Swalwell if he does not resign, while Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez vows a counterpart resolution against Gonzales, and lawmakers including Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat Pramila Jayapal now say they would vote to remove both men. Because expulsion requires a two‑thirds majority and forces members to vote against one of their own, the clash will test how far Congress is willing to go to police sexual misconduct and abuse‑of‑power cases in its own ranks after the George Santos precedent.

Congressional Ethics and Discipline Eric Swalwell Misconduct Allegations
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📊 Relevant Data

In U.S. workplaces, 78.2% of sexual harassment charges were filed by women between FY 2018 and FY 2021.

Sexual Harassment in Our Nation's Workplaces — EEOC

Nationwide, 38% of women and 14% of men report experiencing sexual harassment at work.

Ending Sexual Assault and Harassment in the Workplace — NSVRC

In reported workplace harassment incidents, 91% of harassers are male.

Alarming Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Statistics — The Gomez Firm

In U.S. congressional misconduct cases involving sexual harassment or abuse from 2020-2026, all accused legislators (3 cases) are male, with 1 Democrat and 2 Republicans.

Legislator Misconduct Database — GovTrack

📌 Key Facts

  • Expulsion requires a two‑thirds vote of the House and is extremely rare, with former Rep. George Santos the most recent case.
  • Rep. Anna Paulina Luna plans to introduce an expulsion resolution against Eric Swalwell if he does not resign when the House reconvenes this week.
  • Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez intends to draft an expulsion measure targeting Rep. Tony Gonzales, who has admitted an affair with a staffer and is under House Ethics investigation.
  • Reps. Byron Donalds and Pramila Jayapal have publicly pledged to vote in favor of expelling both lawmakers if resolutions reach the floor.
  • House leadership in both parties has so far declined to comment on the expulsion push.

📰 Source Timeline (1)

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