WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — A growing push inside the U.S. House of Representatives could lead to an extraordinary attempt to expel multiple lawmakers from both parties at once, as frustration over ethics scandals reaches a boiling point. Lawmakers from across the political spectrum are quietly discussing a sweeping “house cleaning” that could target four embattled members: Eric Swalwell, Tony Gonzales, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, and Cory Mills. The talks come as allegations and investigations continue to mount, testing the limits of accountability in Congress.
Several House members say there is real momentum to address multiple scandals in one decisive move. While no formal agreement exists, the idea of voting on expulsions together has gained traction behind closed doors.
“There is an appetite to just get it over with,” one lawmaker said privately, reflecting a broader sense of frustration.
The push gained urgency after new allegations against Swalwell surfaced. He faces claims of sexual assault and harassment from multiple women. He has strongly denied all accusations and vowed to fight them.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna has announced plans to force a House vote next week on expelling Swalwell when lawmakers return from recess. Democrats are expected to respond with their own effort targeting Gonzales, creating a rare bipartisan clash over ethics and accountability.
Expelling a member of Congress is extremely rare. It requires a two-thirds majority vote in the House, making success far from certain. Still, lawmakers appear increasingly open to the idea. Some see a combined vote as a way to avoid partisan accusations and show equal accountability.
Rep. Nancy Mace said she would support such an effort. Rep. Jared Huffman has also called for Swalwell to resign and said he would back expulsion votes. Rep. Mike Lawler went further, urging several of the accused lawmakers to resign immediately or face removal.
Each of the four lawmakers faces serious allegations or investigations. Swalwell denies accusations of sexual misconduct. Gonzales admitted to an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide and is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
Cherfilus-McCormick has been found by the Ethics Committee to have violated multiple rules, including allegations that she directed $5 million in COVID-19 relief funds toward her campaign. She denies wrongdoing. Mills faces an ethics probe involving alleged financial misconduct, campaign violations, and sexual misconduct. He also denies the claims. The accumulation of cases has left many lawmakers frustrated. Some say Congress has failed to act decisively in holding members accountable.
Despite growing pressure, House leaders are urging restraint. Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries both support allowing due process before taking severe action. Many rank-and-file members share that concern. They worry that expelling lawmakers based on allegations alone could set a dangerous precedent. Some lawmakers argue that criminal convictions, not accusations, should determine whether a member loses their seat.
As a result, Congress may consider less severe actions. Censure, a formal reprimand, has emerged as a possible compromise. Censure allows lawmakers to express disapproval without removing a member from office. Some see it as a more realistic outcome given the high threshold for expulsion. Still, others argue that censure may not go far enough given the seriousness of the allegations.
The debate recalls the 2023 expulsion of George Santos. Despite initial resistance from party leaders, a bipartisan coalition ultimately voted to remove him from office. That case showed that rank-and-file lawmakers can override leadership when frustration reaches a tipping point. This time, some members note a unique political balance. Two Democrats and two Republicans are under scrutiny. That symmetry could make it easier to act without shifting the balance of power.
The House is expected to take up the issue when lawmakers return to Washington next week. Votes on individual expulsions could happen quickly, though a combined effort remains uncertain. For now, the debate reflects a deeper struggle within Congress. Lawmakers must decide how to balance fairness, accountability, and public trust.
As one member put it, many believe Congress risks losing credibility if it fails to act decisively. The coming days could determine whether frustration turns into one of the most significant disciplinary actions in modern congressional history.
