Congressional Resignations and Ethics Allegations
Two U.S. Representatives, Republican Tony Gonzales and Democrat Eric Swalwell, announced their resignations from Congress amid separate sexual misconduct allegations and threats of expulsion. The House Ethics Committee has launched investigations into both lawmakers, leading to a shake-up in their respective political landscapes.
Latest Developments

Swalwell accusers respond to resignation in televised interview
Two women who accused Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) of sexual misconduct stated in a CBS News interview that they feel "vindicated" by his impending resignation from Congress. Ally Sammarco, one of the accusers, shared her detailed story with CNN, contributing to the context of Swalwell's decision. The women's comments follow Swalwell's suspension of his California gubernatorial bid. Their public statements mark a significant moment for those who came forward with allegations against the congressman.

2 Swalwell accusers discuss his downfall and the fear of coming forward: "He thought he was untouchable" - CBS News
Two accusers of Eric Swalwell have spoken out to CBS News, discussing his "downfall" and their fear of coming forward against the Congressman. These individuals claimed that Swalwell "thought he was untouchable," suggesting a pattern of behavior or a perception of impunity. The report highlights the challenges and anxieties faced by those who accuse powerful public figures. This discussion sheds light on the personal impact of such allegations and the broader implications for accountability in politics.

Two congressmen resign as US House faces rare expulsions over scandals
Two US congressmen, Democrat Eric Swalwell and Republican Tony Gonzales, resigned from their positions on Monday. Swalwell stepped down following misconduct allegations, while Gonzales retired due to pressure over an affair with a former aide. These resignations deepen turmoil in the House of Representatives, which is also facing rare potential expulsions for two other lawmakers. The events highlight ongoing scandals roiling Congress.

Greene: ‘More members’ of Congress guilty of conduct ‘similar’ to allegations against Swalwell, Gonzales
Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) stated Monday that she believes numerous other members of Congress have engaged in conduct "similar" to allegations against Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) and Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.). Greene characterized the alleged behavior as inappropriate for Congress, suggesting it is more widespread than publicly known. Her comments imply a broader issue of misconduct within the legislative body. The statement draws attention to the conduct of sitting members of Congress, particularly in light of unspecified allegations against Gonzales and Swalwell.

Tony Gonzales announces plans to quit Congress early - Axios
Representative Tony Gonzales announced plans to quit Congress early, according to Axios. This decision means the Republican will not serve the remainder of his current term in the House of Representatives. His early departure will trigger a special election to fill his seat, likely causing a vacancy in Congress for his district. The move could impact the Republican majority in the House, depending on the timing of his resignation and the outcome of the subsequent election.
Key Facts
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) announced his resignation following an admission of an affair with a staffer and facing an expulsion threat.
Source: Axios, PBS NewsHour, ABC News
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) announced his resignation amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations and an impending expulsion vote.
Source: CBS News, NPR, PBS NewsHour
The House Ethics Committee has launched investigations into both Swalwell and Gonzales regarding the allegations.
Source: The Hill, CBS News, PBS NewsHour
Swalwell's resignation has created uncertainty in the California gubernatorial race, where he was a frontrunner.
Source: New York Times, TIME, The Hill
Some Democratic candidates are donating campaign contributions received from Swalwell to charity.
Source: Politico
Recent Highlights
Rep. Eric Swalwell announces his plan to resign from Congress amid sexual misconduct allegations.
Rep. Tony Gonzales states he will 'file my retirement' after Swalwell resigns.
Lawmakers begin pushing for Swalwell and Gonzales to leave Congress.
The House Ethics Committee launches an investigation into Rep. Eric Swalwell.
Rep. Tony Gonzales announces his retirement from Congress following allegations of sexual misconduct and an expulsion threat.
Full Coverage (45 articles)
Showing 20 of 45 articles

Swalwell accusers respond to resignation in televised interview
Two women who accused Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) of sexual misconduct stated in a CBS News interview that they feel "vindicated" by his impending resignation from Congress. Ally Sammarco, one of the accusers, shared her detailed story with CNN, contributing to the context of Swalwell's decision. The women's comments follow Swalwell's suspension of his California gubernatorial bid. Their public statements mark a significant moment for those who came forward with allegations against the congressman.

2 Swalwell accusers discuss his downfall and the fear of coming forward: "He thought he was untouchable" - CBS News
Two accusers of Eric Swalwell have spoken out to CBS News, discussing his "downfall" and their fear of coming forward against the Congressman. These individuals claimed that Swalwell "thought he was untouchable," suggesting a pattern of behavior or a perception of impunity. The report highlights the challenges and anxieties faced by those who accuse powerful public figures. This discussion sheds light on the personal impact of such allegations and the broader implications for accountability in politics.

Two congressmen resign as US House faces rare expulsions over scandals
Two US congressmen, Democrat Eric Swalwell and Republican Tony Gonzales, resigned from their positions on Monday. Swalwell stepped down following misconduct allegations, while Gonzales retired due to pressure over an affair with a former aide. These resignations deepen turmoil in the House of Representatives, which is also facing rare potential expulsions for two other lawmakers. The events highlight ongoing scandals roiling Congress.

Greene: ‘More members’ of Congress guilty of conduct ‘similar’ to allegations against Swalwell, Gonzales
Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) stated Monday that she believes numerous other members of Congress have engaged in conduct "similar" to allegations against Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) and Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.). Greene characterized the alleged behavior as inappropriate for Congress, suggesting it is more widespread than publicly known. Her comments imply a broader issue of misconduct within the legislative body. The statement draws attention to the conduct of sitting members of Congress, particularly in light of unspecified allegations against Gonzales and Swalwell.

Tony Gonzales announces plans to quit Congress early - Axios
Representative Tony Gonzales announced plans to quit Congress early, according to Axios. This decision means the Republican will not serve the remainder of his current term in the House of Representatives. His early departure will trigger a special election to fill his seat, likely causing a vacancy in Congress for his district. The move could impact the Republican majority in the House, depending on the timing of his resignation and the outcome of the subsequent election.

US Representative Swalwell to quit Congress following sexual misconduct allegations - Reuters
US Representative Swalwell will quit Congress following sexual misconduct allegations. This decision comes after accusations of misconduct were made against the California Democrat. His resignation will trigger a special election to fill his now-vacant seat in the House of Representatives. The departure marks a significant development for the Democratic Party and the political landscape in his district.

Congress reaches the breaking point on its ethics crisis
Two House members, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), announced plans to leave Congress voluntarily on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, amidst ethics scandals. Swalwell's resignation follows allegations of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment, while Gonzales' "retirement from office" comes after an Ethics Committee investigation into an affair with a staffer. These departures highlight Congress' ongoing ethics crisis, with other lawmakers still facing scrutiny from the House Ethics Committee. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) was found guilty by an Ethics subcommittee of funneling $5 million in Covid relief funds to her campaign, and Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) is under investigation for alleged domestic abuse and financial misconduct. The Ethics panel is set to meet on April 21 to determine sanctions for Cherfilus-McCormick, with Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) vowing to force an expulsion vote after the process concludes.

Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas says he will retire after admitting to affair with staffer
Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas announced he will retire from Congress. This decision follows his admission to an affair with a staff member who subsequently died by suicide. Gonzales had previously stated he would not seek re-election. His departure will create an open seat in his Texas congressional district.

Tony Gonzales announces plans to quit Congress early
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) stated he would seek to leave Congress early Tuesday. This decision follows allegations of sexual misconduct and his admission to an affair with a former staffer who died by suicide. Gonzales was facing a push for his expulsion and bipartisan calls to step down. He announced his retirement plans in a Monday night post on X, stating he would file his retirement when Congress returns tomorrow. It was not immediately clear when Gonzales would officially leave Congress.
Swalwell announces plan to resign from Congress amid sexual misconduct allegations
Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California announced his plan to resign from Congress. This decision follows multiple sexual misconduct allegations made against him by several women. His resignation will create a vacancy in the House of Representatives, necessitating a special election to fill the seat. CBS News congressional reporter Taurean Small is covering the story.

Eric Swalwell will resign from Congress as he faces backlash over assault allegations - NPR
Representative Eric Swalwell will resign from Congress following backlash over assault allegations. This decision comes as he faces significant pressure regarding the accusations. His resignation will create a vacancy in his congressional district. The move shifts the political landscape and will necessitate a special election to fill the seat.

GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales says he's stepping down from Congress
GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales announced he is stepping down from Congress. This decision follows a threat of expulsion that Gonzales faced. The threat stemmed from his admission of an affair with a staffer. His departure will create a vacancy in the House of Representatives.

Rep. Tony Gonzales to resign from Congress amid backlash over sexual misconduct allegations - The Texas Tribune
Rep. Tony Gonzales will resign from Congress following backlash over sexual misconduct allegations. This decision comes after public scrutiny regarding the accusations. His resignation will create a vacancy in his Texas congressional district. A special election will likely be called to fill the seat.

Republican Tony Gonzales to step down from Congress amid expulsion threat
Republican Tony Gonzales announced he will step down from Congress, filing his retirement from office on Tuesday. The Texas Republican's decision follows his admission of an extramarital affair with an aide who later died by suicide. Gonzales was reportedly facing a growing threat of expulsion from his colleagues in the House of Representatives. His departure creates a vacancy in Congress.

Tony Gonzales says he’ll ‘file my retirement,’ following Swalwell announcing resignation from House
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) announced he will "file my retirement from office" when the House reconvenes on Tuesday. This decision followed by approximately one hour the resignation announcement of Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.). Both congressmen had been facing increasing pressure for resignation or expulsion due to unspecified allegations. Gonzales's departure will create a vacancy in his Texas district, while Swalwell's resignation leaves a seat open in California. These actions will necessitate special elections to fill the vacated congressional seats.

Tony Gonzales, a Texas Congressman, Says He Will Resign
Tony Gonzales, a Texas Congressman, announced his resignation. The third-term Republican lawmaker is accused of coercing a staff member into a sexual relationship. This resignation creates a vacancy in Congress, necessitating a special election to fill the seat. The accusation and subsequent resignation mark a significant event for the Republican party and the House of Representatives.

Tony Gonzales, a Texas Congressman, Says He Will Resign - The New York Times
Tony Gonzales, a Texas Congressman, announced he will resign from his position. His resignation means a vacancy will open in the House of Representatives, representing a district in Texas. This departure will necessitate a special election to fill the seat, potentially shifting the balance of power or requiring resources from the Republican party to retain the district. The timing of his resignation and the process for selecting his successor will be key factors moving forward.

Tony Gonzales says he will resign from House - Politico
Representative Tony Gonzales announced his resignation from the House of Representatives, according to Politico. This decision means Gonzales will vacate his seat, creating an open position in the chamber. His departure will necessitate a special election to fill the vacant House seat. The resignation will alter the composition of the House and could impact the balance of power depending on the outcome of the subsequent election.

Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales to step down as he faces expulsion vote
Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales will step down from his position as he faces an expulsion vote. The Texas Republican's decision comes amidst proceedings related to an affair with a staffer who subsequently died by suicide. This move prevents a vote from occurring in the House of Representatives regarding his removal from office. His resignation creates a vacancy in his congressional district.

Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales to retire as he faces expulsion vote - CBS News
Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales announced his retirement from Congress. This decision comes as Gonzales was facing an impending expulsion vote from the House of Representatives. His departure avoids a potentially contentious and public vote among his colleagues regarding his status. The retirement will trigger a special election to fill his seat in the Texas delegation.
