Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales resigned from Congress Tuesday, moments before their House colleagues were prepared to set in motion their swift removal.
The Democrat and Republican escaped the almost certain public embarrassment of an expulsion vote on the House floor. But while they narrowly avoided the most severe consequence possible for a member of Congress, they are still exiting their positions on Capitol Hill engulfed in separate scandals resulting in high-profile political free falls.
The pair of resignations, the intentions of which were announced in quick succession Monday night, amounts to a stunning moment in the US House of Representatives where pressure from members on both sides of the aisle for accountability had made the environment for the lawmakers to stay in Congress essentially untenable.
“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me, however, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make,” Swalwell wrote in his letter to Speaker Mike Johnson resigning his seat, effective immediately.
“I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties,” he continued, adding that he would work with his staff “in the coming days” to make certain they could serve his district.
Continue reading the complete article on the original source
