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Congressional Ethics Storm: Two Resignations Down, Two Investigations Ongoing
What began as a potential unprecedented week of multiple congressional expulsions has instead transformed into a resignation wave on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers grapple with serious ethical allegations across party lines.
Former Representatives Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) both announced their resignations this week amid mounting scandals. Their departures have averted what could have been a historic moment in congressional history—the House has only expelled six members since the founding of the republic.
Swalwell’s political career unraveled rapidly after reports emerged that he allegedly sexually assaulted a former aide and several other women. Initially defiant, Swalwell abandoned his California gubernatorial campaign after key allies withdrew support. His resignation came as a fifth accuser stepped forward, creating an untenable political situation for the prominent Democrat who had been a fixture on cable news networks.
Gonzales faced his own crisis after initially denying an affair with an aide who later committed suicide. The Texas Republican, locked in a tough primary runoff against challenger Brandon Herrera, had planned to serve out his term despite not seeking reelection. Mounting pressure ultimately forced his hand, leading to his resignation announcement.
The remaining two lawmakers under ethical scrutiny create a more complicated political scenario. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) faces potential expulsion following a rare House Ethics Committee “trial” that found she improperly obtained approximately $5 million in COVID relief funds. The panel is expected to recommend punishment next week, though Cherfilus-McCormick maintains her innocence ahead of a criminal trial scheduled for February 2027.
“The facts are indisputable at this point and so I believe it will be the consensus of this body that she should be expelled,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said regarding Cherfilus-McCormick’s case.
Meanwhile, Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) faces allegations of “stolen valor” and exaggeration of his military record. More pressingly, Mills is accused of striking his girlfriend in early 2025, resulting in a restraining order. The Ethics Committee is investigating whether he violated federal campaign rules, though this inquiry hasn’t advanced as far as the Cherfilus-McCormick case.
The disparate status of these investigations complicates potential disciplinary action. When all four members faced potential expulsion—two Republicans and two Democrats—there was partisan balance in the process. Now, with two resignations already in hand, targeting Cherfilus-McCormick but not Mills would create political asymmetry that could further inflame tensions in an already divided Congress.
The math further complicates matters. With recent changes and the Swalwell and Gonzales resignations, the House currently stands at 431 members: 217 Republicans, 213 Democrats, and one independent. An anticipated Democratic victory in an upcoming New Jersey special election would narrow the GOP’s slim majority even further.
“The issue of parity hasn’t been something that we’ve had a conversation about. We’ve been working through what’s in front of us today and that’s what we’re going to continue to do,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters when questioned about potential imbalance in the disciplinary process.
This scenario unfolds against a backdrop of increasing congressional punishment in recent years. The House has witnessed an explosion in censures—the second-highest form of punishment below expulsion—with five members censured since 2021 after only three such actions in the previous 38 years. Johnson himself has characterized this as the “political” weaponization of the ethics process.
With such tight margins between parties, neither side appears eager to lose a member without corresponding consequences across the aisle. Republicans don’t want to surrender their slim majority, while Democrats, within striking distance of control, are unlikely to accept unilateral punishment.
For lawmakers, votes on disciplining colleagues rank among the most challenging decisions they face, comparable to votes on warfare. Many prefer procedural motions that offer political cover rather than direct up-or-down votes on expulsion.
What might have been “expulsion week” has become “resignation week” instead. Whether the remaining ethical investigations result in further departures or formal punishment remains one of the most consequential questions facing a deeply divided Congress.
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10 Comments
While resignations may temporarily resolve these specific issues, the underlying problems of misconduct and lack of accountability in Congress remain concerning. Voters will likely be watching closely to see if any meaningful reforms or changes come from this situation.
Absolutely, the resignation approach is a short-term fix but doesn’t address the systemic weaknesses that allow such ethical lapses to occur. Substantive reforms to strengthen congressional ethics rules and enforcement will be crucial going forward.
This is a complex situation that underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in Congress. While resignations may resolve the immediate crises, deeper reforms are likely necessary to prevent future ethical breaches and restore public trust.
You make a good point. Meaningful changes to congressional ethics rules and enforcement mechanisms should be a priority to address the systemic issues that allow such misconduct to occur in the first place.
Interesting development in the ongoing ethics issues on Capitol Hill. Resignations can sometimes be the best path forward when serious allegations arise, even if they come at a political cost. Curious to see how this all plays out and what it means for the House’s composition and investigations going forward.
You’re right, resignations can be a pragmatic way to address ethical lapses and avoid the turmoil of formal expulsion proceedings. It will be important to monitor the fallout and any further investigations stemming from these cases.
This is certainly a turbulent time for Congress, with members from both parties facing misconduct allegations. While resignations may resolve some immediate issues, it raises questions about how to strengthen ethics oversight and accountability mechanisms for lawmakers.
Agreed, this points to a broader need for robust ethics frameworks and enforcement to maintain public trust in Congress. The resignation route may be expedient, but deeper reforms could help prevent such scandals in the future.
The details around the Swalwell and Gonzales cases are troubling, and it’s good to see them step down rather than risk formal expulsion. However, this underscores the challenges Congress faces in policing its own members and upholding ethical standards.
It’s disappointing to see more ethical scandals hit Congress, but the resignations do seem like the appropriate response given the serious nature of the allegations. Hopefully this serves as a wake-up call for lawmakers to re-examine their conduct and improve oversight.