Four US House members teeter on the edge of expulsion amid explosive sexual misconduct scandals, threatening to shatter the chamber’s razor-thin stability in days.
Story Snapshot
- Democrat Eric Swalwell suspended his governor campaign after four women accused him of sexual assault and misconduct.
- Republicans Tony Gonzales and Cory Mills face probes over ethics violations, sexual misconduct, and campaign finance issues.
- Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick confronts 25 ethics violations and a looming federal trial.
- Expulsions require a two-thirds vote, a rare penalty used only six times in 237 years.
Swalwell’s Rapid Downfall Ignites the Crisis
Eric Swalwell suspended his California governor campaign over the weekend. Four women accused the Democrat of sexual assault and misconduct, including a former staffer claiming two assaults while intoxicated. Reports from the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN detailed these allegations. Republican Anna Paulina Luna filed a motion to expel him. Lawmakers from across ideologies back votes starting this week. This scandal anchors the turmoil gripping the House.
US House braces for rare expulsion wave amid sexual misconduct scandal https://t.co/aSsXRJ1kmQ
— The Straits Times (@straits_times) April 13, 2026
Gonzales and Mills Draw Ethics Scrutiny
Texas Republican Tony Gonzales faces House Ethics Committee examination. The bipartisan panel probes his conduct amid broader controversies. Florida Republican Cory Mills denies allegations of sexual misconduct, domestic violence, campaign finance breaches, and gift violations. Investigations intensify against him. These cases compound the pressure on Republican ranks defending a narrow majority. Bipartisan frustration fuels calls for swift action.
Cherfilus-McCormick’s Mounting Violations
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Florida Democrat, awaits a sanctions hearing. A House Ethics subpanel identified 25 violations linked to campaign finance and conduct. She also faces a federal criminal trial in 2027. This pileup of charges positions her for potential expulsion alongside peers. The committee’s findings underscore systemic accountability gaps now erupting publicly. Democrats grapple with defending her amid party-wide fallout.
Historical Rarity of House Expulsions
Congress expelled only six members in 237 years, reserving the two-thirds vote for gravest offenses. Civil War-era disloyalty and recent corruption cases set precedents. Current scandals evoke that severity, with Swalwell’s staffer assault claims mirroring past abuses of power. This wave tests modern thresholds. Conservatives rightly demand rigor; unproven accusations must yield to facts, aligning with due process and common sense over rushed purges.
US House braces for rare expulsion wave amid sexual misconduct scandal https://t.co/UnNnxYn3Ss
— ST Foreign Desk (@STForeignDesk) April 13, 2026
Immediate Turmoil for Legislative Stability
These potential expulsions rattle both parties. Republicans risk further eroding their slim majority, complicating agenda advancement. Democrats confront vulnerabilities in battleground districts. Votes could occur within days, redrawing House dynamics overnight. Markets eye rising political risk. Lawmakers scramble amid bipartisan support for ousters. This eruption signals deeper institutional rot demanding conservative principles of accountability without partisan witch hunts.
Sources:
List: Who is leaving Congress ahead of the 2026 midterms?
US House braces for rare expulsion wave amid sexual misconduct scandal
