Congress PURGE Incoming — Dual Expulsion Vote Looms

Large assembly in a government legislative chamber.

Bipartisan lawmakers in Congress prepare to expel scandal-plagued members, potentially triggering a rare purge that could reshape the House before midterms.

Story Snapshot

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna leads push to expel Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) over sexual assault allegations and Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) for admitted staffer affair.
Unusual cross-party support from Democrats like Pramila Jayapal and Republicans like Byron Donalds signals frustration with ethics bottlenecks.
Expulsions require 2/3 House vote, rare since Civil War era, with potential cascade to Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) and Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL).
House reconvenes April 13, 2026; paired votes could force action amid Swalwell’s collapsing California governor bid.

Scandals Ignite Bipartisan Expulsion Push

Rep. Eric Swalwell faces rape, sexual assault, and harassment accusations from four women. He denies all claims. Twenty-one Democratic endorsers withdrew support for his California gubernatorial campaign in recent weeks. Rep. Tony Gonzales admitted an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. He dropped his reelection bid in March 2026 but refused to resign. The House Ethics Committee launched probes into both.

Luna’s Motion Sparks Cross-Party Momentum

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna announced her motion to expel Swalwell over the April 10-11 weekend. Democrats countered with a push against Gonzales. Luna proposes paired votes to ensure reciprocity. Bipartisan supporters include Reps. Byron Donalds, Pramila Jayapal, Jared Huffman, Mike Lawler, and Nancy Mace. They cite eroded public trust and unresolved scandals in the 119th Congress.

Historical Rarity of Congressional Expulsions

Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution demands a two-thirds House majority for expulsion. Only 21 members faced removal historically, mostly for Civil War disloyalty or bribery. Rep. George Santos exited in 2023 via expulsion for fraud. Recent cases like Matt Gaetz ended in censures without action. This bipartisan effort bypasses the Ethics Committee bottleneck through floor votes.

Potential Cascade to Additional Targets

Rep. Cory Mills undergoes Ethics scrutiny for campaign finance violations and sexual misconduct allegations, which he denies. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick faces claims of misusing $5 million in pandemic funds for her campaign, also denied. Reports indicate these could follow if initial votes pass. The House returns from recess on April 13, with midweek action possible. Speaker Mike Johnson remains silent.

Key Statements Fuel the Fire

Luna stated on X she would pair motions for Swalwell and Gonzales, declaring both need to go. Donalds called their actions despicable on NBC. Huffman supported expulsion on X. An anonymous Democrat urged removing bad elements. Mace affirmed her backing. Accused members deny charges and vow to fight. Leadership hesitates amid 2/3 vote uncertainty.

https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/us-congress-members-facing-expulsion-amid-sexual-misconduct-accusations

Implications Reshape Congress and Trust

Short-term expulsions alter House composition before midterms, disrupt Swalwell’s governor race, and set ethics precedents. Long-term, they restore accountability or invite retaliatory purges. Districts in California, Texas, and Florida risk representation gaps. Victims and staff seek justice. This signals #MeToo enforcement in Congress, aligning with conservative values of personal responsibility and institutional integrity over impunity.

Jon Taylor, UTSA Political Science Chair, called potential expulsions stunning given their rarity. Lawmakers view allegations as credible, urging cleanup despite the high bar. Bipartisan urgency prevails, though partisan risks linger. Facts support this push: admitted affairs, multi-accuser claims, and ethics stalls demand action, reflecting common-sense demand for clean governance.