WASHINGTON (AP) — Resignations came quickly this week from two congressmen accused of sexual misconduct toward staff members. Yet for many of the women of Capitol Hill, the moment of accountability was years in the making — and far from enough.
Reps. Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat, and Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican, both announced within hours of each other that they were leaving Congress. Their decisions came as they faced the prospect of being expelled from the House, reflecting a wider reckoning around issues of sexual misconduct.
“Today was an important turning point,” said Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, emphasizing the need to address abuse of power in public office.
A bipartisan group of congresswomen had threatened resolutions to expel Swalwell and Gonzales, further underscoring the urgency for action. Their resignations followed a report detailing allegations against Swalwell and previous accusations against both men.
Former Rep. Jackie Speier noted that despite past reforms after the #MeToo movement, substantial issues persist in Congress. “What we do in Congress is basically look the other way,” she asserted, urging House leaders to tighten rules to support women in reporting misconduct.
The House's rules explicitly prohibit relationships between members and their staff, but ongoing concerns about accountability and workplace protection remain. As the push for accountability grows, lawmakers face scrutiny over their responses to such allegations.
With these resignations, advocates are calling for further reforms to ensure safer environments for staff, highlighting the need for transparency and ethical conduct within Congress.
