Multiple Members Of Congress Face Potential Expulsion Votes In Major Test

A growing push to expel multiple embattled members of Congress is gaining momentum, as lawmakers in both parties weigh unprecedented action following a series of scandals — including Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D-Calif.) decision to suspend his gubernatorial campaign over the weekend.

Swalwell, once a leading contender in California’s 2026 governor’s race, dropped out Sunday amid multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, including claims involving a former staffer. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office has opened a criminal investigation into at least one alleged incident in New York City. Swalwell has repeatedly denied the accusations as “false,” while acknowledging “mistakes in judgment” and vowing to defend himself. (RELATED: Billionaire Former Governor Boots Swalwell Out Of His Mansion, Calls For Donation Refund Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations)

His abrupt exit has intensified calls on Capitol Hill for accountability — and potentially removal from office.

Lawmakers are expected to confront the issue when the House returns from a two-week recess on Tuesday, with expulsion resolutions looming not only for Swalwell but also for Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas).

Gonzales is facing his own controversy after admitting to an affair with a staff member who later died by suicide. He withdrew his re-election bid earlier this year following pressure from House GOP leadership and is currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee.

Several members have already begun laying the groundwork for expulsion efforts. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) said she will introduce a resolution targeting Swalwell if he does not resign, while Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.) is preparing similar action against Gonzales.

“[Rep. Tony] Gonzales [(R-Texas)] and Swalwell are not fit to serve in Congress given their sexual transgressions against women who work for them,” Leger Fernandez said. “They should resign or be expelled. There’s already been a resolution announced to expel Swalwell that I will support. I will introduce a resolution to expel Rep. Gonzales.”

Support for removing both lawmakers appears to be growing across party lines, though it remains unclear whether it will reach the high constitutional threshold required for expulsion.

“That vote comes to the floor, I will be voting yes on both measures,” Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday. “These allegations are despicable, and they demean the integrity of Congress. These things are just completely unacceptable. And as far as I’m concerned, both gentlemen need to go home.”

Democrats have echoed similar concerns. “I think that this is very important that we believe women and that we show people across the Capitol and across the country that we will not accept this kind of behavior,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said.

Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) also called for Swalwell’s resignation, writing on social media that “Congress should not tolerate representatives who abuse staff, betray public trust for personal gain, and generally violate their oath of office.”

“Americans deserve better and Congress must hold our members accountable,” she added.

Expelling a member of Congress is rare and requires a two-thirds vote in the House, meaning any successful effort would need significant bipartisan support — including members voting to remove colleagues from their own party.

The most recent example came in 2023, when former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) was expelled following a series of criminal charges. Santos was later pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2025 after being convicted of wire fraud and identity theft.

The current wave of scrutiny may not stop with Swalwell and Gonzales. Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) and Cory Mills (R-Fla.) are also facing serious allegations and ethics investigations, raising the possibility that additional expulsion efforts could follow.

Cherfilus-McCormick has been indicted on charges related to the alleged misuse of more than $5 million in federal disaster relief funds for personal and political purposes. A House Ethics subcommittee has already found her responsible for multiple violations and is expected to recommend disciplinary action, potentially including expulsion.

Mills, a former Army combat veteran, is under investigation over a series of allegations, including misrepresenting his military record, domestic violence claims, and misuse of his congressional position to benefit business interests.

Some lawmakers are calling for sweeping action.

“They should resign IMMEDIATELY. If they don’t, we should expel all of them,” Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) wrote on social media Sunday, referring to Swalwell, Gonzales, and others under scrutiny.

Despite the growing calls, House leadership in both parties has so far stopped short of endorsing expulsion efforts, instead deferring to ongoing investigations and the Ethics Committee process.

Still, with multiple scandals converging at once, the House faces a rare moment in which several members could simultaneously face the most severe punishment available — removal from office — testing both political will and institutional norms in Congress.

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