Congress Faces Renewed Calls for Sexual Misconduct Reforms

Lawmakers push for faster investigations and tougher penalties after recent resignations

Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:25am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty congressional office, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows casting an uneasy mood, conceptually representing the unresolved issues around sexual misconduct in Congress.The resignations of two lawmakers over sexual misconduct allegations have reignited calls for Congress to overhaul its handling of such cases, though the path forward remains uncertain.Gonzales Today

The resignations of two House members over sexual misconduct allegations have reignited calls for Congress to overhaul how it handles such cases. While some lawmakers are pushing for expedited investigations and harsher punishments, House leaders have not yet endorsed specific reforms, highlighting the ongoing challenges in addressing a long-standing cultural issue.

Why it matters

The recent high-profile resignations of Reps. Eric Swalwell and Ruben Gonzalez have brought renewed attention to the issue of sexual misconduct in Congress, which has faced scrutiny since the start of the #MeToo movement. Lawmakers see this as a chance to enact meaningful reforms, but the path forward remains uncertain as House leaders have not yet embraced specific proposals.

The details

Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez and Anna Paulina Luna led a bipartisan push to oust Swalwell and Gonzalez, arguing that Congress needs to send a clear message that sexual harassment and abuse will not be tolerated. Leger Fernandez wants to speed up investigations by the House Ethics Committee, which she says was too slow to act on the 'overwhelming' evidence against Gonzalez. Other lawmakers, including Rep. Pramila Jayapal, are calling for an independent body with subpoena power to handle misconduct cases more swiftly than the current process.

  • In early March, Rep. Ruben Gonzalez admitted to an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.
  • On April 10, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that a former staffer accused Rep. Eric Swalwell of sexual assault, which he has denied.
  • On April 18, both Swalwell and Gonzalez resigned from the House under threat of expulsion.

The players

Teresa Leger Fernandez

Democratic Congresswoman who chairs the Democratic Women's Caucus and led the bipartisan push to oust Swalwell and Gonzalez.

Anna Paulina Luna

Republican Congresswoman who partnered with Leger Fernandez on the effort to expel Swalwell and Gonzalez.

Eric Swalwell

Former Democratic Congressman who resigned amid allegations of sexual assault.

Ruben Gonzalez

Former Republican Congressman who resigned after admitting to an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.

Pramila Jayapal

Democratic Congresswoman who believes Congress needs an independent body to handle misconduct cases faster than the current Ethics Committee process.

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What they’re saying

“This has now sent a signal to everybody in Congress, male or female, Republican or Democrat, who thinks it's all right to sexually harass, sexually abuse your staffers. It's not all right, and there are enough of your colleagues who are going to vote you out. You better stop, and you better not run for reelection.”

— Teresa Leger Fernandez, Democratic Congresswoman

“I don't want this to just be a situation where we have two resignations, and then we forget about it until it happens again. Victims deserve institutional change.”

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democratic Congresswoman

What’s next

The House Ethics Committee is also investigating allegations against Rep. Cory Mills (R-Florida) for sexual misconduct and violence against an ex-girlfriend. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say Congress needs to reform how it handles sexual misconduct cases, but House leaders have not yet endorsed specific proposals.

The takeaway

The resignations of Reps. Swalwell and Gonzalez have reignited long-standing calls to overhaul how Congress addresses sexual misconduct, but the path forward remains uncertain as House leaders have not yet embraced specific reforms. Lawmakers see this as a pivotal moment to enact meaningful change and protect congressional staff, but cultural shifts and institutional inertia continue to pose challenges.