Bipartisan Calls for Expulsion Threaten to Upend House Stability
Democratic and Republican lawmakers are aligning in an unprecedented move to expel multiple members of Congress over allegations of sexual misconduct and ethics violations, with Representative Eric Swalwell at the centre of the storm. This growing reckoning could trigger a series of expulsion votes, rocking the House during a critical period ahead of midterm elections.
Swalwell Faces Mounting Pressure to Resign
Democratic members of Congress are joining calls for Representative Eric Swalwell to resign from office as he battles allegations of sexual misconduct, which forced him out of the California governor race. Swalwell has denied the sexual assault claims, but the pressure is intensifying from both sides of the aisle.
Republican Representative Mike Lawler is leading the charge, calling for votes to expel Swalwell, along with Republican Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas and Democratic Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. Lawler stated, "Time to clean House. These members have proven through their own actions they are unfit to serve."
Multiple Lawmakers in the Crosshairs
Swalwell is far from the only lawmaker facing potential expulsion. Several GOP members have agreed to expel Gonzales, who is accused of abuse involving a staff member, if he does not resign. Additionally, Republican Representative Cory Mills is under House Ethics Committee investigation for allegations of domestic violence and campaign finance violations, while Cherfilus-McCormick was found last month to have committed 25 ethics violations to support her campaign.
Democratic Representative Eugene Vindman emphasised the need for accountability, telling CNN, "We should not tolerate this behaviour. We’ve grown far too accustomed to having our elected officials fall far below what we expect their behaviour to be."
Bipartisan Support for Expulsion Measures
Notable figures from both parties are backing the expulsion efforts. Republican Representative Byron Donalds told NBC’s Meet the Press that he would support expelling Swalwell and Gonzales, calling the allegations "despicable" and stating, "As far as I’m concerned, both gentlemen need to go home."
On the Democratic side, Representative Pramila Jayapal said she would also support expulsion, noting it is "important for staffers across the Capitol to see that their bosses don’t get to do this to them." California Democrats Jared Huffman and Sam Liccardo echoed this sentiment, with Liccardo urging Swalwell to "halt his campaign, resign from office, and face the consequences of a full investigation."
Historical Context and High Stakes
The House has only expelled six members in its 236-year history, with expulsion requiring a two-thirds majority vote. Historically, members have resigned in shame or were expelled only after criminal convictions, such as Democratic Representatives Michael Meyers in 1980 and James Traficant in 2022.
However, the precedent set by former Representative George Santos, who was expelled before conviction on federal charges, has changed this dynamic. Santos has since suggested his former colleagues should resign preemptively, stating, "There is NO dignity in being expelled if I could go back in time I’d do it differently."
Potential Impact on House Operations
The timing of these expulsion votes could severely disrupt House Speaker Mike Johnson’s control of the floor. Lawmakers are currently grappling with Donald Trump’s legislative agenda, the Iran war, and efforts to end a long-running Homeland Security shutdown. This instability comes just before midterm elections that could see Republicans lose control of the chamber.
The House Ethics Committee, a rare bastion of bipartisanship, operates on an unspoken rule where parties sacrifice beleaguered members in exchange for mutual concessions. Yet, with the bar for expulsion historically high, the current wave of allegations threatens to test this fragile balance, potentially leading to a chaotic period in Congress as it navigates both internal scandals and pressing national issues.
