'We can't wait forever': Ethics Committee under scrutiny

Source: Roll Call

Posted April 15, 2026 at 3:46pm


The resignation of two lawmakers accused of sexual misconduct has drawn renewed scrutiny of the House Ethics Committee. The 10-member committee, which is composed of five Republicans and five Democrats, had announced investigations of Reps. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, when they resigned.

The committee, which is considered the House’s place for recourse for allegations of wrongdoing against members, announced the investigation involving Swalwell Monday and announced the Gonzales investigation March 4. The lawmakers’ resignations would effectively negate the need for the committee to investigate.

Now, with both men formally resigning Tuesday, lawmakers say they are frustrated with the length of time it takes to move investigations through the panel. They’re calling for expedited reviews and changes to how the committee conducts itself. “My problem with the Ethics Committee is it just takes too damn long,” said Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Madeleine Dean.

House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., said he would support an expedited process moving forward. “I don’t know what that looks like. I don’t know if that means additional staff. I don’t know from a process perspective, what that would mean, but I think many of us would be open to that if the Ethics Committee said ‘we can handle this a different way,’ or ‘there’s an expedited route to do this.’”

Read more: https://rollcall.com/2026/04/15/we-cant-wait-forever-ethics-committee-under-scrutiny/