Reporter's Notebook: Spring cleaning resignations rock House as ethics storm builds

By Fox News · Fox News

It’s time for spring cleaning. Specifically, House spring cleaning. As in the House of Representatives . Former Reps. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, and Eric Swalwell , D-Calif., resigned last week amid allegations of sexual harassment — and even sexual assault in the case of Swalwell. An aide with whom Gonzales had an affair set herself on fire and died. HOUSE DEMS DEFY JEFFRIES, VOTE TO REBUKE PROGRESSIVE OVER CONTROVERSIAL ELECTION MOVE Former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., resigned this week moments before the House Ethics Committee was slated to recommend expulsion as the panel found she violated 25 House rules. The Florida Democrat faces trial next winter for allegedly bilking FEMA out of $5 million in pandemic relief — and then funneling it to her campaign. "She was put in an absolutely terrible position by the Ethics Committee. This was not a fair process," argued Cherfilus-McCormick’s attorney William Barzee. "But she was left with no choice (but to resign)." Barzee asserted that the ethics panel shouldn’t prescribe punishment for his client until her separate criminal trial is complete. The House used to sit out on launching ethics inquiries for members facing criminal charges. INDICTED DEMOCRAT SHEILA CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK FACES RARE HOUSE ETHICS HEARING However, that changed in late 2023 when the House voted to expel former Rep. George Santos , R-N.Y., after he was accused of a host of fraud allegations — including his contrivance of his life story in order to win election. The House voted to expel Santos before his criminal trial where he was later convicted and jailed. He was sentenced to 87 months but released after only serving three after President Donald Trump commuted his sentence. But kicking out Santos before his conviction in court established a new House precedent. "It was setting a standard that we're going to have and keep and it's going to apply to every Member from now on," said Rep. Greg Meeks, D-N.Y., the top Democrat on the Foreign Af…