Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas mentioned Monday he’ll retire from Congress after bipartisan calls to expel him.Gonzales had already mentioned he wouldn’t search reelection after admitting to an affair with a employees member who had later died by suicide. His retirement announcement got here simply hours after Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California mentioned he can be resigning from Congress as he additionally confronted allegations of sexual misconduct.Home Republican leaders had already referred to as on the three-term Gonzales to not search reelection as they attempt to maintain on to a strongly Republican district in November’s midterm elections. And the Home Ethics Committee had initiated an investigation. Below Home ethics guidelines, lawmakers might not have interaction in a sexual relationship with any worker of the Home below their supervision.”There’s a season for every part and God has a plan for us all,” Gonzales mentioned in a social media publish. “When Congress returns tomorrow, I’ll file my retirement from workplace.”He mentioned it has been a privilege “to serve the nice folks of Texas.” He gave no additional particulars on his plans to step down. Beforehand, he had insisted he would serve out the rest of his time period because the GOP works to carry its slim Home majority.Final month, the highest Republican and Democratic members on the Home Ethics Committee mentioned in a joint assertion that an investigative panel would look into whether or not Gonzales engaged in sexual misconduct towards an worker in his workplace and whether or not he discriminated unfairly by shelling out particular favors or privileges.That announcement got here the identical day that Gonzales, showing on the “Joe Pags Present,” was requested if he had a relationship with the aide, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles.”I made a mistake and I had a lapse in judgment, and there was an absence of religion, and I take full accountability for these actions,” Gonzales mentioned.Gonzales went on to say he had reconciled along with his spouse and had requested God to forgive him. He additionally mentioned he seemed ahead to the Ethics Committee investigation.However as lawmakers returned from a two-week break on Monday, there was a rising clamor amongst members to take a stand in opposition to alleged sexual misconduct. Swalwell’s alleged transgressions introduced renewed consideration to the problem.Feedback from lawmakers on social media recommended some had been open to an expulsion trade-off of types that might have an effect on every celebration equally.Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., mentioned each Gonzales and Swalwell “should not match to serve in Congress given their sexual transgressions in opposition to ladies who work for them.””There’s already been a decision introduced to expel Swalwell that I’ll help. I’ll introduce a decision to expel Rep. Gonzales,” Leger Fernandez mentioned.In a separate publish that got here after the Texas lawmaker made his retirement announcement, she challenged Gonzales to make it “efficient instantly.””He has till 2PM tomorrow — after we will file his expulsion,” she mentioned on X.
Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas mentioned Monday he’ll retire from Congress after bipartisan calls to expel him.
Gonzales had already mentioned he wouldn’t search reelection after admitting to an affair with a employees member who had later died by suicide. His retirement announcement got here simply hours after Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California mentioned he can be resigning from Congress as he additionally confronted allegations of sexual misconduct.
Home Republican leaders had already referred to as on the three-term Gonzales to not search reelection as they attempt to maintain on to a strongly Republican district in November’s midterm elections. And the Home Ethics Committee had initiated an investigation. Below Home ethics guidelines, lawmakers might not have interaction in a sexual relationship with any worker of the Home below their supervision.
“There’s a season for every part and God has a plan for us all,” Gonzales mentioned in a social media publish. “When Congress returns tomorrow, I’ll file my retirement from workplace.”
He mentioned it has been a privilege “to serve the nice folks of Texas.” He gave no additional particulars on his plans to step down. Beforehand, he had insisted he would serve out the rest of his time period because the GOP works to carry its slim Home majority.
Final month, the highest Republican and Democratic members on the Home Ethics Committee mentioned in a joint assertion that an investigative panel would look into whether or not Gonzales engaged in sexual misconduct towards an worker in his workplace and whether or not he discriminated unfairly by shelling out particular favors or privileges.
That announcement got here the identical day that Gonzales, showing on the “Joe Pags Present,” was requested if he had a relationship with the aide, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles.
“I made a mistake and I had a lapse in judgment, and there was an absence of religion, and I take full accountability for these actions,” Gonzales mentioned.
Gonzales went on to say he had reconciled along with his spouse and had requested God to forgive him. He additionally mentioned he seemed ahead to the Ethics Committee investigation.
However as lawmakers returned from a two-week break on Monday, there was a rising clamor amongst members to take a stand in opposition to alleged sexual misconduct. Swalwell’s alleged transgressions introduced renewed consideration to the problem.
Feedback from lawmakers on social media recommended some had been open to an expulsion trade-off of types that might have an effect on every celebration equally.
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., mentioned each Gonzales and Swalwell “should not match to serve in Congress given their sexual transgressions in opposition to ladies who work for them.”
“There’s already been a decision introduced to expel Swalwell that I’ll help. I’ll introduce a decision to expel Rep. Gonzales,” Leger Fernandez mentioned.
In a separate publish that got here after the Texas lawmaker made his retirement announcement, she challenged Gonzales to make it “efficient instantly.”
“He has till 2PM tomorrow — after we will file his expulsion,” she mentioned on X.



