This week was certainly one that few saw coming on Capitol Hill, with two members of the House of Representatives announcing their resignations within an hour of each other and at a time when calling for expulsions has reached a fever pitch.
As RedState reported, Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14) posted a statement on X Monday, noting he was resigning without giving a specific timeframe for his exit. His resignation came after multiple stories within a matter of a few days that alleged a pattern of predatory behavior, including the alleged sexual harassment of staffers and alleged sexual assault.
There was also GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales (TX-23), who said he would also be resigning amid calls for his expulsion over "exposure of his affair with his now-deceased regional district director, Regina Santos-Aviles [who committed suicide]" and fresh reporting from the San Antonio Express-News that alleged he, too, had a pattern of predatory behavior that included allegedly sending sexually explicit text messages to his former political director.
Former Model, Software Company Exec Accuses Eric Swalwell of Drugging and Raping Her in 2018
Though neither Gonzales nor Swalwell indicated when their last day would be, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13) indicated on X Tuesday that she "received word that Swalwell has begun the internal process of switching his staff over to the Clerk of the House. His resignation will be incoming shortly. Same with Tony."
With Gonzales and Swalwell on their way out the door, talk has turned to what the future holds for Democrat Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20) and GOP Rep. Cory Mills (FL-07). As RedState readers will recall, back in November, Cherfilus-McCormick was "charged by the Department of Justice for allegedly stealing millions of dollars in FEMA money during the COVID-19 pandemic." Specifically, she was accused of “laundering the proceeds, and then using the money to support her 2021 Congressional campaign."
In addition to the DOJ, the House Ethics Committee has also been hot on Cherfilus-McCormick's heels, announcing at the end of March that "the adjudicatory subcommittee found that Counts 1-15 and 17-26 of the SAV [Statement of Alleged Violations] had been proven” against the embattled congresswoman.
Calls for her expulsion grew, with Rep. Luna leading the charge. On Tuesday, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-04) was asked about the possibility of expelling Cherfilus-McCormick. Here's what he had to say:
“I have been a zealous guardian of due process around here,” Johnson told reporters on Tuesday. “I do think certainly on Cherfilus-McCormick, the Ethics Committee has gone through all of its processes, and they found some alarming facts. I think the facts are indisputable at this point, and so I believe it’ll be the consensus of this body that she should be expelled. I mean, that certainly rises to the level that’s needed.”
On the issue of Mills, Johnson indicated he will "look into" how the House Ethics Committee investigation is going on him today:
Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday he would be “looking into” an ongoing House Ethics investigation into whether Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) is guilty of assault and benefiting from federal contracts while in office.
Watch:
JUST IN — Speaker Johnson is ready to EXPEL Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick from Congress after ethics investigation!
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) April 14, 2026
BOOM! pic.twitter.com/15Mj4IssOH
Politico also noted that the Ethics panel is set to meet next week to recommend what to do about Cherfilus-McCormick, but that if they don't recommend expulsion, others on the House floor may still try anyway:
The Ethics panel is due to meet next week to determine whether to recommend a formal punishment, which could be as severe as expulsion. If members ultimately suggest a lesser consequence, Republicans could still force a floor vote on an expulsion resolution, though Democrats could counter with a resolution to expel Mills at the same time. It’s not clear how Republican leadership will proceed.
Look for Luna to be in that mix if so. She's been one of the more outspoken proponents of kicking ethically-challenged members of Congress out the door, no matter their party affiliation.
Cherfilus-McCormick, for the record, has said she will not resign. Luna responded accordingly:
You stole money, and you’re saying there’s no due process? They found you guilty of 25 violations alone.
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) April 14, 2026
Unfortunately, it’s not illegal to lie; however, it is illegal to steal money. I look forward to voting to expel you, McCormick. @CongresswomanSC https://t.co/EKRShjXm1B
As always, stay tuned.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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