WASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee has opened an inquiry into misconduct allegations against Representatives Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX), as Florida Republican Anna Paulina Luna calls for their immediate expulsion. Luna announced plans to force a vote as early as Wednesday, escalating a partisan battle over accountability in Congress.
The allegations, which remain under investigation, stem from separate incidents involving sexual misconduct claims. Sources familiar with the ethics process indicate the committee is reviewing evidence from whistleblowers and internal documents. ‘This isn’t about party lines but restoring trust in the institution,’ Luna told reporters, though Democratic leadership has characterized the move as politically motivated.
Swalwell, who sits on the Intelligence Committee, previously survived a 2021 GOP effort to remove him over unsubstantiated ties to a Chinese spy. Gonzales, a second-term Republican, faces new scrutiny after settled workplace complaints resurfaced. Analysts note expulsion requires a two-thirds majority — a high bar last cleared in 2002.
The inquiry comes amid heightened scrutiny of congressional conduct following recent high-profile scandals. Ethics watchdogs warn that weaponizing expulsion procedures could set dangerous precedents. ‘We need due process, not knee-jerk reactions,’ said one committee staffer speaking anonymously.