House Avoids Unprecedented Four-Member Expulsion Week as Swalwell and Gonzales Resign Instead

Calls for expulsion of two Democrats and two Republicans were averted as two lawmakers resigned, but the House still faces decisions on disciplining two other members.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 5:07am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty congressional hearing room, with warm sunlight streaming in through the windows and casting deep shadows across the empty chairs and desks, conveying a sense of the gravity and solemnity of the House's disciplinary proceedings.The House faces difficult decisions on disciplining members as it navigates the delicate partisan balance and complex political calculations.Gonzales Today

The House was poised to consider the unprecedented step of expelling four members - two Democrats and two Republicans - until former Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales resigned, avoiding the ignominious process. However, the House still faces decisions on whether to discipline Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Cory Mills, which could upset the delicate partisan balance in the chamber.

Why it matters

The potential expulsion of four House members would have been an extraordinary event, as the House has only expelled six members in its history. The resignations of Swalwell and Gonzales averted that, but the House now faces difficult decisions on whether to discipline the remaining two members, which could have significant political implications given the narrow partisan divide.

The details

The House was prepared to potentially expel four members - Reps. Eric Swalwell, Tony Gonzales, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, and Cory Mills - until Swalwell and Gonzales resigned. Swalwell faced allegations of sexual assault, while Gonzales was accused of an affair with an aide who later died by suicide. The House Ethics Committee has also been investigating Cherfilus-McCormick for improperly obtaining COVID-19 relief funds and Mills for exaggerating his military record and an alleged domestic violence incident. With Swalwell and Gonzales gone, the House must now decide whether to discipline the remaining two members, which could upset the narrow 217-214 Republican majority if action is taken against Cherfilus-McCormick but not Mills.

  • In late March, the House Ethics Committee held a rare 'trial,' declaring Cherfilus-McCormick improperly obtained $5 million in COVID relief funds.
  • The Ethics Committee is also investigating whether Mills violated federal campaign rules, but the probe is not as far along as the Cherfilus-McCormick inquiry.

The players

Eric Swalwell

Former Democratic congressman from California who resigned amid allegations of sexual assault.

Tony Gonzales

Former Republican congressman from Texas who resigned after being accused of an affair with an aide who later died by suicide.

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

Democratic congresswoman from Florida who is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for improperly obtaining $5 million in COVID relief funds.

Cory Mills

Republican congressman from Florida who is accused of 'stolen valor' and exaggeration of his military record, as well as an alleged domestic violence incident.

Mike Johnson

Republican congressman from Louisiana who is the current House Speaker.

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What they’re saying

“The facts are indisputable at this point and so I believe it will be the consensus of this body that she should be expelled.”

— Mike Johnson, House Speaker

“The issue of parity hasn't been something that we've had a conversation about. We've been working through what's in front of us today and that's what we're going to continue to do.”

— Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader

What’s next

The House Ethics Committee is expected to make a recommendation on disciplinary action for Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick next week, which could lead to a vote on the House floor.

The takeaway

The House's handling of the potential expulsions of multiple members highlights the delicate partisan balance and the challenges of disciplining lawmakers, as the House must navigate complex political calculations in addition to the merits of each case.