Rep. Scholten Statement on Votes to Expel Swalwell, Gonzales

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03) released the following statement on her intention to vote to expel Representatives Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23) if they do not resign from Congress.

"We now have two members of Congress who have admitted or been credibly accused of inappropriate sexual misconduct with members of their staff. This is not only unethical; it is potentially illegal. The patriotic young men and women who bravely serve our country and our communities in Congress deserve a zero tolerance policy when it comes to this kind of sexual misconduct.

"Reps. Gonzales and Swalwell should resign immediately. If they fail to resign, Congress should immediately vote to expel both of these men. Due process is, simply put, the process that is due an individual in a particular circumstance. To take away someone's liberty and put them in jail, we have a rigorous process, requiring a conviction, that is due to that person. The ability to serve in Congress is an incredible privilege and a position of great trust. The Constitution provides a democratic process by which members of Congress can be expelled from office for disorderly behavior, conduct that is unbecoming of that office, and no conviction is required.

"It is enough here that these men have admitted, or in the case of Rep. Swalwell has been credibly accused-with contemporaneous evidence-by multiple different women, with the numbers only growing. If inappropriate sexual conduct with a subordinate staff member is not conduct unbecoming of this office, I don't know what is. For the integrity of this office, for the justice for their victims and survivors, and for the safety of the remaining staff on Capitol Hill, these members should resign or be removed immediately."

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