Trending Now - Congress Faces Reckoning Amid Surge of #metoo Allegations

WHO:

CNN - Rep. Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat, is involved in allegations of sexual misconduct.

CNN - Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican, acknowledged an affair with a staffer.

CNN - Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico threatened to bring expulsion resolutions against Swalwell and Gonzales.

CNN - Rep. Becca Balint, a Vermont Democrat, expressed concerns about the current reporting system.

CNN - Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon of Pennsylvania commented on the need for reforms.

CNN - Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal discussed the need for a new process to report harassment.

CNN - Leslie Shedd, a former Republican staffer, provided insights on CODELs (congressional delegations).

CNN - A former senior staffer shared experiences regarding the power dynamics in Congress.

WHAT:

CNN - Swalwell resigned from Congress and dropped out of the governor's race amid allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.

CNN - The House Ethics Committee is investigating the allegations against Swalwell and Gonzales.

CNN - The 2018 law signed by Trump required lawmakers to pay for their own sexual harassment settlements and aimed to streamline the complaint process.

CNN - More than three dozen current and former lawmakers and aides reported persistent issues with sexual harassment on Capitol Hill.

CNN - The House Ethics Committee has been criticized for its slow-moving processes in handling allegations.

WHERE:

CNN - The events and allegations are centered around Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.

WHEN:

CNN - The allegations against Swalwell were reported in April 2026.

CNN - The 2018 law addressing sexual harassment was signed by Trump in December 2018.

CNN - Swalwell's alleged misconduct occurred during a night of drinking in 2024.

WHY:

CNN - The culture of sexual harassment in Congress is attributed to power dynamics and a lack of centralized human resources.

CNN - Staffers fear retaliation and have limited options for reporting misconduct due to the unique structure of congressional offices.

HOW:

CNN - The House Ethics Committee investigates allegations, but the process is described as slow and ineffective.

CNN - Staffers often rely on informal channels and relationships to navigate issues of harassment and misconduct.

(UPDATED April 19, 2026 11:08 UTC)

Rep. Eric Swalwell has resigned from Congress and dropped out of the governor's race amid allegations of sexual misconduct, while Rep. Tony Gonzales has acknowledged an affair with a staffer, prompting calls for expulsion resolutions from fellow lawmakers. The House Ethics Committee is currently investigating these allegations, which have highlighted ongoing concerns about the culture of sexual harassment on Capitol Hill, where many staffers fear retaliation and face limited reporting options. Lawmakers, including Rep. Becca Balint and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, are advocating for reforms to improve the reporting process and address the power dynamics that contribute to these persistent issues.