WASHINGTON — Two members of Congress stepped down this week following accusations of sexual misconduct with staff members, but many female lawmakers say the accountability moment has been years overdue and more changes are needed.
Representatives Eric Swalwell of California and Tony Gonzales of Texas both announced their departures from Congress within hours on Monday. The timing came just before the House reconvened in Washington and as both faced potential expulsion votes from their colleagues.
The departures marked a significant moment for Capitol Hill accountability, representing the most notable action since approximately twelve male politicians saw their careers end during the peak of the #MeToo era. However, several congresswomen argued the resignations took far too long and highlighted ongoing problems with sexual misconduct in Congress.
“Today was an important turning point,” stated New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “That it should — that abuse of power — should never be accepted, and above all, in public office. And so, I think this is an important resetting point for the institution.”
A cross-party coalition of female lawmakers had prepared to introduce resolutions Tuesday that would have compelled expulsion votes for both Swalwell and Gonzales. This pressure campaign succeeded after the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN reported Friday that a woman accused Swalwell of sexual assault.
The accusations against Swalwell span from 2019 to 2024, with additional inappropriate behavior claims from other women emerging later. While Swalwell has rejected all sexual misconduct allegations, he has admitted to poor judgment. Gonzales had faced months of resignation demands after acknowledging a 2024 affair with a staff member who later took her own life.
“Accountability can happen. We can hold men accountable when they abuse women, and we’re going to do more of it,” declared Representative Teresa Leger Fernández, who leads the Democratic Women’s Caucus.
House rules explicitly prohibit sexual relationships between members and their staff.
After the #MeToo movement gained momentum, the House implemented mandatory yearly training on sexual harassment and discrimination for all members. Additional legislation passed to accelerate the complaint process for harassment cases, increase settlement transparency, and require lawmakers to personally cover any financial penalties.
Former California Democratic Representative Jackie Speier, who championed sexual assault reforms, told The Associated Press that significant issues remain despite these changes.
“What we do in Congress is basically look the other way,” she explained, urging House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries to “really tighten the rules and create a safe environment for these women to report.”
Johnson stated he had no conversations with either lawmaker before their resignation announcements, but told reporters the situation concluded “appropriately.”
“This is the right thing for the institution,” he commented.
Sexual abuse concerns have gained prominence as lawmakers examine the actions of deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein. Several conservative Republican women played key roles in pushing Congress to address these issues.
Republican Representative Nancy Mace, working with Representatives Lauren Boebert and former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, defied pressure from President Donald Trump and Johnson last year. They joined Democrats to force a vote requiring the release of many Epstein case files.
Mace, who publicly shared her own rape survival story in 2019, has maintained an active campaign supporting sexual assault victims. She and Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna repeatedly demanded resignations from both Swalwell and Gonzales.
Mace has also called for Republican Representative Cory Mills to step down, as he faces an ethics investigation over alleged sexual misconduct and violence against a former girlfriend. Mills maintains he will disprove these claims.
Additionally, Mace and Luna are seeking the resignation of Florida Democratic Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. The House Ethics Committee discovered evidence she violated campaign finance laws related to a mistaken $5 million overpayment from Florida to her family’s healthcare business. She denies any wrongdoing.
“Clean house. Expel them. Hold every last one accountable,” Mace posted on social media. “The American people are watching.”
Notably, Mace herself faces an ethics investigation regarding allegations of improper housing reimbursement claims, which she disputes.
As sexual abuse allegations continued mounting against Swalwell, some Democrats experienced moments of reflection and remorse, particularly those who maintained close relationships with him.
Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, a longtime Swalwell friend who managed his presidential campaign, held an emotional news conference Tuesday.
“I messed up. I’m human. I trusted this man,” Gallego said with tears in his eyes.
Under intense reporter questioning, Gallego admitted hearing rumors about Swalwell being “flirty” but said he trusted him as a close family friend.
“I definitely look at the world in a different way now,” Gallego stated. “I personally am going to make sure that I’m going to take personal steps and office steps to make sure that we don’t even get close to a gray line.”
Speier, who began her political career as a congressional aide and faced harassment from a supervisor, explained that Congress members operate with extensive autonomy over their offices. All 535 lawmakers serve as bosses of their personally chosen staff.
“There’s really no one overseeing you,” Speier noted. “There’s a sense of entitlement that kind of overtakes many of these members.”
Speier worked with former Representative Bradley Byrne to pass legislation simplifying sexual harassment and discrimination reporting, including prohibiting nondisclosure agreements that protect Congress members.
Since 2018 reforms required the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights to report awards and settlements from formal complaints, House member offices have made eight payments totaling slightly over $400,000. These payments cover all workplace rights violations, not exclusively sexual harassment, and violations could involve other congressional staff within offices.
Speier emphasized the importance of continuing to simplify the reporting process for survivors.
“Unless someone comes forward, you know the conduct continues,” she stated.
