By Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández
WASHINGTON D.C. — After calls for accountability led by Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández, D-N.M., Reps. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, and Eric Swalwell, D-CA, announced their resignations from Congress April 13 amid serious allegations of sexual misconduct. Leger Fernández is the Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus
Leger Fernández was among the first Members to publicly call for resignation and, if they refused, for expulsion. She announced her resolution to force a vote on Gonzales’ expulsion, which would have been filed April 14.
She was working alongside Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fl., who was filing a resolution to expel Swalwell. This was a bipartisan effort to hold both men accountable.
To avoid the expulsion votes, Gonzales and Swalwell each announced their resignation—or in the case of Gonzales, “retirement.”
Gonzales has failed to state when his “retirement” would begin. Leger Fernandez reasserted on April 13 that she’s not backing down. She intended to file her resolution to expel Gonzales on April 14 unless his resignation from Congress is made effective immediately. Gonzales filed his resignation on April 14.
“Men in power too often count on silence,” Leger Fernández said in an April 13 press release. “They count on fear. They fail to recognize the power of women when they break that silence and stand with each other to demand consequences.”
Leger Fernández said anyone who abuses their power is “not fit” to serve in Congress.
“From the moment these deeply disturbing allegations came to light, I made clear that anyone who abuses the power of their office to prey on staff is not fit to serve in Congress,” she said. “Staff come to this institution to serve the American people, not to be exploited, manipulated, or abused by the very people who hold power over their livelihoods.”
She noted that consent isn’t possible when there’s a power inbalance between two parties.
“There is no such thing as consent when the imbalance of power is this profound,” she said. “A Member of Congress controls a staffer’s employment, salary, benefits, future opportunities, and their day-to-day working conditions. That power can never be separated from the harm inflicted in these sexual abuse cases.”
She also said that the work doesn’t end with these men’s resignations.
“Our responsibility is larger than any one resignation,” she said. “We must protect staff, strengthen accountability, and make clear that no one in a position of power is above consequences. This is not the end.”
