Congress Grapples with Ethics Reform Amid Wave of Resignations

In April 2026, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) resigned after sexual-misconduct or financial-ethics allegations. Their departures have intensified pressure to revamp the House Ethics Committee’s procedures.

Washington Examiner

Congress passed ethics reforms in 2017 following the #MeToo movement, establishing the Office of Congressional Conduct and tightening harassment rules. The committee now cites 28 sexual-misconduct investigations dating to the 1970s, yet only six members have ever been expelled.

Washington Examiner

House Ethics Chairman Michael Guest (R-MS) seeks more investigators, jurisdiction over the Office of Congressional Conduct, and authority to continue probes after a member resigns. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) calls for stronger subpoena enforcement and contempt powers, while Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) warns that delayed accountability “enables” misconduct; Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) pledged bipartisan reform talks.

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• Three resignations in April 2026.

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• 28 sexual-misconduct investigations since the 1970s.

Washington Examiner

• Six historical expulsions.

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Speaker Johnson said the chamber is “looking at every potential avenue to tighten up the rules and make sure that women have an avenue to report.” Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman Ted Lieu urged immediate reforms, and Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) acknowledged criticism while affirming openness to improvement.

Washington Examiner

Former staffers say many employees do not know they can file complaints, describing the culture as “not good enough.” Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) called the reporting system a “web we’ve woven,” noting staff often lack clarity on which office handles accusations.

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Guest’s plan to extend jurisdiction after resignations clashes with Subramanyam’s view that such expansion may be unnecessary. Glenn Ivey (D-MD) emphasized that sexual-harassment and financial-misconduct cases require distinct procedural approaches.

Washington Examiner

• “I think we could simplify it. We could streamline the process and by streamlining the process, hopefully see that cases are moved through quicker. I think that’s the desire of everyone,” — Michael Guest, House Ethics Chairman

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• “The bottom line is that a process that delays accountability to that extent does not deter misconduct, it enables it. Serious reform is long overdue,” — Anna Paulina Luna, Representative

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• “At a time when public confidence in Congress is at an all-time low, it is vitally important that the ethics committee investigates abuses of the public trust in a prompt, thorough and fair manner,” — Kevin Kiley, Representative

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• “There’s no panacea out there,” — Glenn Ivey, Representative

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A bipartisan bill to deny pensions for members convicted of serious offenses and Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon’s proposal to tighten 2018 harassment legislation are slated for committee review. The Democratic women’s caucus will issue recommendations within weeks, and the Ethics Committee will debate Guest’s jurisdictional changes in the coming months.

CNN