Two members of Congress moved to step down within hours of each other Monday as mounting sexual misconduct allegations and looming expulsion efforts shook both parties.
Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, said he would leave office after facing bipartisan pressure tied to his admission of an affair with a staffer earlier this year.
His announcement came as lawmakers signaled they were prepared to force him out if he did not act first.
“There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all. When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office,” Gonzales wrote on social media. “It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas.”
There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all. When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office. It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas.
— Rep. Tony Gonzales (@RepTonyGonzales) April 13, 2026
The Texas Republican had been bracing for a possible expulsion vote that could have happened within days.
That pressure heated up after he acknowledged a sexual relationship with former staffer Regina Santos-Aviles, who later died after self-immolation.
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., made clear she was ready to escalate the situation if Gonzales delayed.
“He has until 2PM tomorrow—when we will file his expulsion. He better write that resignation “effective immediately,” she posted on social media.
He has until 2PM tomorrow—when we will file his expulsion.
He better write that resignation “effective immediately.” https://t.co/IvdfCvLvnd
— Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (@RepTeresaLF) April 13, 2026
Gonzales first publicly admitted to the relationship during a radio interview in March after denying it multiple times.
“I made a mistake, and I had a lapse in judgment, and there was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions,” he said.
“Since then, I’ve reconciled with my wife, Angel. I’ve asked God to forgive me, which he has, and my faith is as strong as ever.”
He has not addressed a separate allegation involving another former aide that was recently brought to light.
House rules prohibit lawmakers from engaging in sexual relationships with staff members, a restriction that has been central to the calls for his removal.
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Within roughly an hour of Gonzales’ announcement, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., also said he would step aside as he faced his own set of allegations, including claims of sexual misconduct and sexual assault.
“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell said in a statement.
“I will fight the serious, false allegations made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.”
Swalwell acknowledged the political and legal pressure building around him, including the possibility of expulsion.
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) April 13, 2026
“I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong,” he said.
“But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.”
At least four women have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including a former aide who claimed he raped her while she was intoxicated and unable to consent.
He said he would work with staff to ensure continuity for his district after his departure.
The reaction inside Washington was swift and, at times, blunt. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said the move was ultimately his call, telling reporters, “Oh, I think that was his decision. I think it’s a smart decision to make.”
She added that she had “none whatsoever” knowledge of the allegations before they surfaced.
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said shortly before Swalwell’s announcement that he had “had no knowledge of the allegations of assault, harassment, and predatory behavior against Eric Swalwell.”
Other lawmakers were far less measured. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said she was “glad that [Swalwell] will be gone,” adding that “people who are in positions of power and authority over others need to be held accountable when they take advantage of that position.”
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., took aim at both lawmakers, saying of Swalwell, “First smart thing he’s done,” before adding that Gonzales “needs to follow his lead,” a step Gonzales had already taken.
The push for accountability extended beyond statements. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., had been pressing House GOP leadership to bring an expulsion vote to the floor, warning colleagues that the allegations carried broader implications for the institution.
“The actions of these two Members reflect poorly on every single one of us,” Luna wrote in a letter to colleagues.
“It is our responsibility, according to the Constitution and House rules, to hold one another accountable, especially when it brings dishonor upon the institution.”
“We as Members of Congress need to stand together in publicly condemning this behavior and restore the trust we have lost with the American people,” she added. “We are the company we keep.”
Following Swalwell’s resignation announcement, Luna called him out for claiming there were no grounds for expulsion.
“Eric, you did the right thing by resigning. However, don’t you dare say there weren’t grounds for your expulsion, because there absolutely were,” she shot back.
“He made the correct decision, but there still needs to be a full-fledged criminal investigation. Based on what I’m hearing, he may go to jail.”
Luna later said she was “being told there will be more disgusting stuff coming out on Swalwell in the next 24 hours,” and issued a warning.
“For the members of Congress who are concerned about optics on expelling Swalwell, I think after the information drops you will be thinking otherwise,” she teased.
“Eric, why don’t you tell us a little about who was filming the video of the female sex worker.”
A video showing Swalwell in bed with a woman circulated online, with at least two other individuals appearing in the footage. Swalwell is married to Brittany Watts, and the couple has three young children.
Both Gonzales and Swalwell had been under review by the House Ethics Committee, which confirmed it was investigating allegations involving misconduct toward employees.
The panel noted that opening an investigation “does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred.”
The committee is expected to suspend both investigations once the lawmakers formally step down.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had urged caution before pursuing expulsion, saying lawmakers should allow the ethics process to play out before taking drastic action.
The turmoil extends beyond the two resignations. Other lawmakers are also facing scrutiny, including Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who was found guilty by a House Ethics panel of multiple violations, and Rep. Cory Mills, who is dealing with a range of allegations tied to finances and personal conduct.
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., called for sweeping action against several colleagues, writing that “based on the facts and information that have come out, it’s simple: Eric Swalwell, Tony Gonzalez, and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick should all resign from Congress effective immediately. If not, Congress should move to expel all three of them upon our return this week.”
