House committee investigates Eric Swalwell over sexual assault allegations

Representative Eric Swalwell is under investigation by the House ethics committee following allegations of sexual misconduct. The committee announced the inquiry on Monday, a day after Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor amid reports from the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN detailing accusations from a former staffer and three other women.

Swalwell stated, "I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made – but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s." The investigation coincides with increasing pressure from Republican members of the House for the expulsion of Swalwell and other lawmakers facing similar accusations. Democratic Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez called for the resignations of Swalwell, Tony Gonzales, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, and Cory Mills, stating they should be expelled if they refuse.

The House ethics committee, which is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, is also investigating Gonzales, who acknowledged an extramarital affair, and Cherfilus-McCormick, who faces federal charges. Expulsions require a two-thirds vote, a rare occurrence in Congress. Swalwell's exit from the governor's race complicates the Democratic primary, with no clear frontrunner emerging as candidates like Katie Porter and Tom Steyer vie for the position.

Power Read: This investigation places Swalwell in a precarious position, as he faces not only potential expulsion but also the loss of political capital in California. The bipartisan nature of the ethics committee could lead to a more serious examination of misconduct across party lines, potentially reshaping the political landscape. The calls for expulsion from both sides indicate a growing intolerance for misconduct, which may embolden other lawmakers to distance themselves from colleagues facing allegations.

What to watch: The upcoming decisions by the House ethics committee regarding Swalwell's case and the potential for resolutions to expel him and others will be critical.