In light of the recent serious allegations against former Rep. Eric Swalwell, Americans are once again shaking their heads and asking, "What happens to people when they get to Washington, D.C., aka 'The Swamp'?" And while an investigation into Swalwell's activities is a must, sadly, he comes from a long line of lawmakers who are accused of engaging in illicit behavior.
House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest: “I promise the American public and the members of this body … that we're working diligently to move these cases through with as quickly as possible.”
— Emily Brooks (@emilybrooksnews) April 14, 2026
Declines to speak to how far along the panel is into investigation of Rep. Cory…
House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest: “I promise the American public and the members of this body … that we're working diligently to move these cases through with as quickly as possible.”
Declines to speak to how far along the panel is into investigation of Rep. Cory Mills. There is a public hearing on Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick next week.
READ MORE: Update: Gallego’s Attempt to Push Back on Luna’s Explosive Claims May Have Made Things Worse for Him
On Monday, the House Ethics Committee released a statement that confirmed that it had investigated 20 accusations of sexual misconduct by House members since 2017. There was also a list of publicly disclosed matters that had been investigated, where sexual misconduct was alleged, which lists 15 occurrences since 2017. The implication is that five of those have not been made public.
The statement from the House Ethics Committee went on to say that:
Whenever the Committee found a Member to have engaged in or fostered an environment where sexual misconduct took place, the Committee released its findings. Some sexual misconduct matters that the Committee may have otherwise reviewed were removed from the Committee’s jurisdiction by the subject’s resignation, retirement, or departure from House employment.
However, there is an interesting twist. A 2018 law says that the Ethics Committee must be notified of any members who pay out settlements related to sexual harassment claims. The statement from the Ethics Committee says that:
Since the enactment of that legislation, the Committee has not been notified of any awards or settlements relating to allegations of sexual harassment by a Member.
This is despite Republican Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-01), in the wake of the Swalwell allegations, calling for Congress to release sexual harassment records, saying:
"I think there should be an avalanche of resignations. I want every single predator that’s in Congress now to be forced to resign. I don’t care how long it takes. If we can do it fast, let’s do it now, regardless of party."
House Ethics Committee releases statement opposing @RepNancyMace resolution to release all reports it has on investigations into sexual misconduct allegations against members
— Emily Brooks (@emilybrooksnews) March 4, 2026
Mace forced action on this in light of Rep. Tony Gonzales allegations. Vote happening shortly to refer… pic.twitter.com/5AYT2eDWGW
NEW: The House Ethics Committee says it has initiated investigations in 20 matters involving allegations of sexual misconduct by a member since 2017.
Plus, it releases a list of all publicly disclosed matters involving alleged sexual misconduct it investigated -- which lists 15 instances since 2017, implying 5 investigations that have not been made public
+ Lengthy, rare statement from the House Ethics Committee that comes in wake of Swalwell, Gonzales resignations"
Whenever the Committee found a Member to have engaged in or fostered an environment where sexual misconduct took place, the Committee released its findings."
"Some sexual misconduct matters that the Committee may have otherwise reviewed were removed from the Committee’s jurisdiction by the subject’s resignation, retirement, or departure from House employment."
ALSO READ: Congress Loves Transparency - Just Not the Bill to Release Its Sexual Misconduct Files
The House Ethics Committee was created in 1967, with the first sexual misconduct investigation coming in 1976, when Ohio Democrat Rep. Wayne Hayes was forced to resign from Congress after the investigation was complete. Since that time, no party has been exempt from harboring allegedly misbehaving members. The list of members who have been investigated by the committee breaks down to 14 Democrats and 13 Republicans. But what also stands out is the fact that beginning in 2017, the instances of sexual misconduct allegations increased dramatically.
Eric Swalwell may be the latest and most outrageous occurrence of sexual misconduct by a House Member. But he apparently had plenty of "mentors" to coach him, and unfortunately, he also won't be the last.
🚨 357 Members of Congress Voted to Hide Sexual Misconduct Records
— Gina Milan (@ginamilan_) April 14, 2026
On March 4, a bipartisan majority voted to block their release by sending the resolution to the Ethics Committee.
Despite Swalwell and Gonzales recent resignations and new sexual assault allegations, the records… pic.twitter.com/Q4fCDTzxcL
357 Members of Congress Voted to Hide Sexual Misconduct Records
On March 4, a bipartisan majority voted to block their release by sending the resolution to the Ethics Committee.
Despite Swalwell and Gonzales recent resignations and new sexual assault allegations, the records remain hidden.
The public deserves transparency.
Full list of those who voted against release
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