Two congressmen resigned within an hour of each other after female lawmakers from both parties united to expel them over sexual assault allegations and misconduct, marking a rare bipartisan accountability push that overrode hesitant party leadership.

Women Unite Across Party Lines

When allegations surfaced against Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell and Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined to demand resignations. Florida Republican Anna Paulina Luna and New Mexico Democrat Teresa Leger Fernández bypassed leadership entirely, collaborating on expulsion resolutions that forced both men from office. Rather than face removal votes, Swalwell and Gonzales resigned simultaneously, choosing departure over public expulsion by their peers.

Multiple women accused Swalwell of sexual assault and misconduct in reports published by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN. The California Democrat denied all allegations, calling them absolutely false. Gonzales admitted to an extramarital affair with a staffer who died by self-immolation in September after her husband said the relationship destroyed their marriage. Gonzales acknowledged making a mistake and having a lapse in judgment during a podcast appearance.

Leadership Stays Silent

With only a two-vote House margin, neither Johnson nor Jeffries pushed for expulsion. Johnson urged Gonzales not to seek reelection but stopped short of demanding immediate resignation. Jeffries called the Swalwell allegations disturbing and suggested ending his California gubernatorial campaign, but avoided requesting he leave Congress. Luna told reporters Leger Fernández was one of few lawmakers stepping up to demand accountability when leadership would not.

Pattern of Female-Led Accountability

This marks the second major instance where female legislators forced action despite male leadership reluctance. The same coalition recently passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act with overwhelming bipartisan support. Both Luna and Leger Fernández, who chairs the House Democratic Women’s Caucus, said their efforts to expose abuse by powerful men will continue. Expelling House members remains exceptionally rare, with George Santos as the most recent removal after fabricating his resume. Both congresswomen signal this represents a new willingness to prioritize accountability over political calculation.