Pramila Jayapal backs expelling Swalwell, Gonzales from House

Rep. Pramila Jayapal said Sunday she supports expelling Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales from the House, saying the sexual misconduct allegations against them are bigger than party politics.

“This is not a partisan issue,” Ms. Jayapal, Washington Democrat, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “This cuts across party lines, and it is a depravity of the way that women have been treated.”

Ms. Jayapal, a former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said Mr. Swalwell should also end his bid for California governor. Asked if she would vote to expel both men, she said, “I would.”

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Mr. Swalwell, California Democrat, was accused of sexually assaulting a former staffer twice when she was too intoxicated to consent. CNN reported that three other women said he engaged in nonconsensual sex or sent inappropriate messages, including nude photos.

Mr. Gonzales, Texas Republican, admitted to an extramarital affair with a staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, who died by suicide in September. He is no longer seeking re-election.

Citing her support for survivors of the Jeffrey Epstein sex-trafficking scandal, Ms. Jayapal said too many women have been “dismissed, told to shut up, told to move on, who have been abused by men in powerful positions.”

“This is clearly a pattern,” she said. “I’ve already called for Congressman Swalwell to drop out of the gubernatorial race, and I think we have to hold everybody accountable.”

Expulsion is the most severe form of congressional discipline, requiring a two-thirds vote. The action is rare, generally reserved for serious, often criminal, offenses after a member has been seated.