Rep. Eric Swalwell of California and Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas resigned from Congress Tuesday, abandoning their offices ahead of certain expulsion votes. Both Democrats and Republicans faced separate House Ethics investigations into alleged sexual misconduct with female staffers.

Ethics Probes End With Resignations

The resignations effectively terminated both House Ethics investigations, as the committee only maintains jurisdiction over sitting members. Swalwell’s resignation took effect at 2 p.m. Eastern time, while Gonzales departed at midnight. Law enforcement investigations can continue independently. The Manhattan district attorney’s office confirmed an ongoing probe into Swalwell regarding an alleged assault in New York.

Multiple Allegations Surface

A woman’s lawyers announced Tuesday she would report to police that Swalwell drugged, raped and choked her at a California hotel in 2018. His attorney, Sara Azari, categorically denied all allegations, calling them a calculated political hit job against someone who served twenty years in public service. Swalwell previously admitted making mistakes but denied sexual assault claims. The San Francisco Chronicle published accounts from multiple women last Friday, prompting Swalwell to drop his California governor campaign Sunday.

Texas Congressman’s Downfall

Gonzales, first elected in 2020, faced scrutiny after staffer Regina Santos-Aviles died by suicide last September. Text messages obtained by NBC News confirmed Gonzales sent sexually explicit messages to Santos-Aviles in May 2024. Gonzales later admitted conducting an affair with her while she worked as his subordinate. A second former staffer reported receiving similar inappropriate messages, including repeated requests for sex and nude photographs. Gonzales announced in March he would not seek reelection but accelerated his departure after the Swalwell scandal broke.

House Balance Shifts

The dual resignations leave Republicans with a 216-213 majority over Democrats. Republicans will gain one seat Tuesday night when Clay Fuller of Georgia is sworn in to replace former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who resigned earlier this year. The unceremonious departures close a dark chapter on Capitol Hill. Both lawmakers violated House rules prohibiting sexual relationships between members and their staff. Their resignations spare the House from conducting potentially divisive expulsion votes that would have required two-thirds majorities in both cases.