Politics

Swalwell, Gonzales Both Resign From Congress in Disgrace

By Mike Harper · April 15, 2026

Two members of Congress resigned on the same day — one Democrat, one Republican — both facing expulsion votes over sexual misconduct allegations that had brought rare bipartisan pressure to bear on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Eric Swalwell of California announced Monday he planned to resign from the House following explosive allegations from multiple women, including claims of sexual assault that he has categorically denied. Hours later, Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas announced he too would step down, heading off a separate expulsion effort tied to his own misconduct investigations. Both resignations were effective Tuesday.

The simultaneous exits were not coincidental. According to NBC News, a plan had emerged on Capitol Hill for members from each party to draft expulsion resolutions targeting one lawmaker per side — a carefully structured bipartisan accountability move that neither caucus could easily block. Facing those votes, both men chose to leave.

Swalwell’s fall was rapid and stunning. Just days before the allegations became public, the California Democrat was a leading contender in the state’s crowded governor’s race. The San Francisco Chronicle published a bombshell account featuring a former staffer who accused Swalwell of sexual assault. CNN spoke to three additional women with separate misconduct allegations. On Tuesday, a fifth woman held a news conference in Beverly Hills alleging rape in 2018. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced it had opened a criminal investigation. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office separately said it had launched its own probe.

Swalwell denied the assault allegations while acknowledging broader mistakes. “I am deeply sorry to my family, staff and constituents for mistakes in judgement I’ve made in my past,” he said. “I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.”

Gonzales’ situation was different in character but similar in consequence. The Texas Republican had acknowledged an affair with a former staffer who later died by suicide, and a second former staffer alleged he had sent her explicit messages. The House Ethics Committee had opened an investigation. After finishing second in his primary and being urged by Speaker Mike Johnson to exit the race, Gonzales resisted — until the Swalwell situation created a political opening for simultaneous bipartisan accountability.

With both resignations effective Tuesday, Republicans held a 217-213 House majority, following the swearing-in of Georgia’s Clay Fuller. Special elections to fill the vacated seats will follow — timing to be determined.

What’s unresolved are the criminal investigations into Swalwell, which have now been opened in two jurisdictions. Resignation ends the House Ethics Committee’s jurisdiction. It does not end law enforcement’s.