WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for higher scrutiny and punishment of members of Congress accused of sexual misconduct, following the resignations of Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales. Rep. Lauren Boebert issued a parallel call, with lawmakers from both parties joining the push for accountability.

Swalwell and Gonzales announced their resignations on Monday. Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Teresa Leger Fernandez had been preparing to introduce resolutions to expel the two lawmakers earlier in the week, and credited their pressure campaign with the decisions of Swalwell and Gonzales to voluntarily leave the chamber. The two lawmakers said they were willing to replicate the tactic against other members facing sexual misconduct and ethics investigations, and said they were scrutinizing Republican Cory Mills and Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.

Ocasio-Cortez described the resignations as an important turning point for the institution. "But I don't think our work is done." she said. "I'm glad that Eric Swalwell is leaving. I'm glad that Tony Gonzales is leaving. Frankly, I think Cory Mills should be on that list, as well."

Boebert said she was pursuing efforts to strip Swalwell and Gonzales of their federal pensions, and urged those facing harassment in Congress to speak to her directly. "If your boss is mistreating you, or someone else in the office, tell somebody – come to my office." she said. "If you want to remain anonymous, remain anonymous. Let one of us loudmouths get it out there for you."

Five women had publicly accused Swalwell of sexual abuse, with the most recent going public on Tuesday. A former staffer said Swalwell raped her in a New York City hotel in 2024. Three other women said they had received inappropriate messages from him. One accuser said Swalwell had drugged and raped her in 2018. Swalwell said he made mistakes in judgment and criticized fellow lawmakers for seeking to expel him without due process. His lawyer said the allegations are politically motivated. Swalwell announced he was dropping out of the California gubernatorial race a day before resigning from Congress; polls had shown him as a frontrunner in that contest.

Gonzales admitted he had an affair with a staff member in 2024 and resisted calls to resign for months. The woman subsequently committed suicide. The House code of conduct prohibits lawmakers from having sexual relationships with staff members.

Former Rep. Jackie Speier, a Democrat from California, condemned Congress's tendency to look the other way regarding sexual misconduct, and called on both Republican and Democratic leadership to tighten the House rules and create a safe environment for women to report sexual misconduct.