House Reps Face Expulsion Votes Over Misconduct Allegations

Democrats plan to counter GOP-led vote to oust Swalwell with a vote to unseat Gonzales.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:10pm by

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) plans to force a vote to expel Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) next week over sexual assault and misconduct allegations, which Swalwell denies. In response, Democrats are set to move to expel Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), who is being investigated by the House Ethics Committee over sexual misconduct allegations.

Why it matters

The potential expulsion votes could trigger a chain reaction, as the political fallout from the allegations against both representatives continues to unfold. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges Congress faces in addressing claims of sexual misconduct by its members.

The details

Swalwell has faced calls from Democratic Party leaders and House colleagues to drop his bid for California governor, though few have called for his outright resignation or expulsion from Congress. Gonzales, who has dropped his bid for reelection, admitted to an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide, calling it a "lapse in judgment."

  • Rep. Luna plans to force a vote to expel Rep. Swalwell next week.
  • The San Francisco Chronicle reported the allegations against Swalwell on Friday.

The players

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna

A Republican representative from Florida who plans to force a vote to expel Rep. Swalwell.

Rep. Eric Swalwell

A Democratic representative from California who is facing allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, which he denies.

Rep. Tony Gonzales

A Republican representative from Texas who is being investigated by the House Ethics Committee over sexual misconduct allegations.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They are absolutely false. They did not happen, they never happened.”

— Rep. Eric Swalwell

“It was a lapse in judgment.”

— Rep. Tony Gonzales

What’s next

If the expulsion votes succeed, it could trigger a chain reaction, according to Democratic leadership aides and a senior House Democrat.

The takeaway

The potential expulsion votes highlight the ongoing challenges Congress faces in addressing claims of sexual misconduct by its members, and the political fallout that can result from such allegations.